Darren Baker
Photo via Rochester Red Wings
Darren Baker arrived in Rochester at the start of the 2023 season and is now in his third year with the Red Wings. Beloved by the Rochester community and its loyal fan base, Baker has become a central figure both on and off the field. Whenever the Red Wings’ marketing team promotes an upcoming game or special event — whether it’s "Plates Jersey Night" or "White Hots Night" — Baker is often the face of the campaign. For the past two seasons, fans have voted him the Most Popular Red Wing on the final home date of the year.
But Baker is far more than a promotional figure; he plays the game the right way. His style is defined by strong fundamentals, a tireless work ethic, all-out hustle, and a constant stream of positive energy at Innovative Field.
One statistic I’ve always valued is on-base percentage (OBP) — because, simply put, you can’t score if you don’t get on base. Analysts consider an OBP between .320 and .360 to be solid, signaling a player’s steady offensive contribution. Baker’s OBP has been remarkably consistent: .349 in 2023, .348 in 2024, and currently .345 this season. Since joining the Nationals organization in 2021, Baker has posted a career batting average of .282 and a career OBP of .348 — numbers that reflect a steady, reliable performer.
Baker’s defense is equally impressive. In 2023, he primarily played second base. Last season, the Nationals began testing his versatility in left field. This year, he has split time between the two — 41 games at second base and 32 in left. Both positions have produced highlights: in 2023 and 2024, he made defensive plays at second that earned ESPN’s “Play of the Day” honors. This season, at second, he’s tallied 103 assists with just five errors for a .972 fielding percentage. On the left, his range and route-running have improved significantly, producing 78 putouts, one assist, and only one error in 32 games. Whether tracking a sharp grounder in the hole or chasing a deep fly in the gap, Baker’s speed is a major asset.
Offensively, 2025 started slowly for Baker. The cold April weather matched his bat — hitting just .158 with a .238 OBP. But once the temperatures rose, so did his production. In May, he turned things around, posting a .324 average and .377 OBP, followed by .317/.426 in June and .321/.406 in July. On the bases, his speed is game-changing. Baker recently moved into third place on Rochester’s all-time stolen base list, with 81 over the past three years. His threat to steal puts constant pressure on pitchers, often leading to more fastballs for the next batter.
While Baker has just seven home runs among his 87 career extra-base hits, he is far from a slap hitter. He takes aggressive swings, drives the ball into the gaps for doubles and triples, and has five sacrifice flies this year — each scoring a runner from third with less than two outs.
August has been a bit tougher — he’s appeared in just 5 of the team’s first nine games and has cooled off at the plate. Still, Baker’s track record suggests he’ll break out of the slump soon. The overall body of work remains strong.
Last September, the Nationals rewarded Baker with a call-up, where he went 7-for-14 (.500) in 9 games, including two doubles. He made the most of every opportunity. Given his consistent success at the Triple-A level, another September promotion seems well deserved. While Rochester fans would miss him, Baker has shown he can excel at the highest levels — and with regular playing time in Washington, I believe his trademark consistency will follow him there.