Jeff Baker

42-Year-Old Second Baseman2B

Free Agent

2024 Stats

AVG

.000

RBI

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RBI

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Jeff Baker in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats R

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 6'2"

Weight 220

DOB 3/1/1982

Born Bad Kissingen, West Germany

College Clemson

Drafted 4th Rd 2002 COL

2BFree Agent

Oblique

July 31, 2015

Baker (oblique) was released by the Marlins on Friday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

ANALYSIS
Baker continues to work his way back from an oblique injury, but he will be without a team when he does return. The veteran utility man struggled this season, batting just .208/.288/.375 with three home runs and eight RBI in 41 games. With the Marlins out of the playoff hunt, they'll likely see what they've got in some of their younger players, making Baker expendable.

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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jeff Baker See More

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Past Fantasy Outlooks

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Baker continues to be a valuable veteran contributor due to both his defensive versatility and ability to mash lefty pitching. In 2014, Baker slashed .322/.365/.470 in 115 at-bats against left-handers for the Marlins, but was limited to a meager .195/.237/.310 line against righties. He appeared at both first and second base regularly last season and has also spent time at both corner outfield positions over the last several years. The Marlins have made significant improvements to their infield, which may limit Baker exclusively to spot duty against southpaws in 2015.

Baker played for three teams in 2012 while enduring the worst season of his career. Baker hit for just a .656 OPS over 201 plate appearances with the Cubs, Tigers and Braves. He has played sparingly in eight seasons now, mostly as a pinch-hitter. When projecting Baker's 2013 season, one could expect a middling batting average with little potential to rack up the counting stats. He will need to find a good situation and a touch of luck in order to earn a relevant amount of playing time.

Baker offers some defensive versatility, given his ability to play first, second, third and both corner-outfield spots, and he's capable of hitting lefties (.314/.349/.463 in 121 at-bats). That said, he doesn't play any position particularly well, can't hit righties at all, doesn't hit for power and rarely draws a walk. The Cubs offered Baker arbitration in December, so he could be back in a utility role.

Baker signed a one-year deal in December, which means he'll return as a part-time second baseman and back up Carlos Pena at first and Aramis Ramirez at third. Baker's defense is merely average, and while he has modest power, his plate discipline and contact skills are below par. The younger (and left-handed) Blake DeWitt should get most of the playing time, but it's unclear exactly how the at-bats will be split up.

Baker came over from the Rockies in a midseason trade and wrestled the starting second-base job from the struggling Mike Fontenot. Baker hit well for the Cubs down the stretch in a 203-at-bat sample, but his poor plate discipline and average-at-best defense make him a stopgap and not a long-term solution. Baker will likely compete with Fontenot for the job again this spring, and the two could even wind up in a lefty-righty platoon that favors Fontenot.

Injuries to Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes enabled Baker to get a toehold in the lineup at second base, where he showed himself to be a four-corners guy, not a middle infielder. He'd make a fine right-handed half of a platoon at third base should the Rockies find a new home for Garret Atkins. Second-base eligibility and Coors Field make him a nice middle infield play for 2009, but keep playing-time expectations down.

Baker spent 2007 as a utility player seeing time in the outfield, first base and third base. Last year was somewhat of a lost season as he received only 144 at-bats and never received an opportunity for consistent playing time. He's a great athlete with 25-homer potential. The Rockies may try him at second base in spring training if they do not find a replacement for Kaz Matsui. Otherwise he'll be relegated to a utility role. If Baker is traded during the offseason and finds a starting role, he's a definite sleeper candidate.

Baker had his first full injury-free season in 2006, batting .305/.369/.508 for Triple-A Colorado Springs before receiving a September call-up, where he was just as impressive. With 14 extra-base hits in just 57 at-bats for the Rockies, Baker took a huge step forward in a bid to earn a regular spot with the team in 2007. He's certainly earned at least a bench job. With Brad Hawpe being mentioned in trade rumors this winter, it's unclear how to project Baker. He should get at least 200 at-bats, but the potential is there for far more.

Baker batted .303/.348/.513 with quality power at Triple-A and was in-line for a September call-up before breaking his thumb. There has been talk of Baker moving to the outfield in order to make room for blue-chip prospect Ian Stewart at third base. For now, Baker will start 2006 at Triple-A Colorado Springs and should challenge Garrett Atkins for playing time by midseason.

Baker finds himself between a rock and a hard place—i.e., Garrett Atkins and Ian Stewart—in his quest to start at third base for the Rockies. He'll get the starting nod at Double-A Tulsa in 2005 after hitting a combined .318 with 15 HR in two levels of the minors in 2004, and he could get a cup of coffee in September if he impresses and can stay healthy. Best-case scenario is that Baker, who played some shortstop in college, assumes a regular starting role in 2006 if Atkins or Clint Barmes fizzle out on the left side of the infield.

Baker's rookie season at low Single-A ball was cut short in '03 due to a recurring wrist injury, but he still managed to show flashes of promise, hitting 11 homers in 270 ABs. He's had three operations on the wrist already, so it's obviously a situation that warrants concern for the Rockies. Baker was regarded as one of the top five hitters in the 2002 draft, so there's no reason to believe that he cannot continue to progress - and rapidly at that - if the wrist is finally healed.

Watch Baker carefully next season - he was perceived to be one of the top five hitters in the 2002 draft, but "unsignable" due to his affiliation with agent Scott Boras and slipped to the fourth round. Beyond his talent, he fills a spot where the organization has a gaping hole in terms of prospects, so he could climb the ladder quickly.

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