Luken Baker - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Picks up steal in win Baker went 0-for-2 with two walks, one RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Padres.

Impact Baker is hitting just .133 over eight contests since he was recalled from Triple-A Memphis, but he has drawn six walks in that span. That gives him a .364 on-base percentage. Baker has added a home run, five RBI, two runs scored and a double across 22 plate appearances. He's taken over for Matt Carpenter as the Cardinals' preferred designated hitter versus right-handed pitchers, and as a right-handed batter, Baker has a good chance of sticking in the lineup versus southpaws as well.

AUGUST 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Third straight start at DH Baker will start at designated hitter and bat cleanup in Thursday's game versus the Padres.

Impact It's Baker's third straight start at DH, which is especially notable given that all three of them have come against right-handers. He's also batted either third or fourth in each contest. The 27-year-old has produced back-to-back 30-homer seasons at Triple-A Memphis and could be worth a look in deeper leagues if the playing time sticks.

AUGUST 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Homers off bench in win Baker hit a two-run home run in his lone at-bat in Wednesday's 10-6 extra-inning win over the Brewers.

Impact Baker provided a game-tying blast in the seventh inning to knot the score at 4-4. This was his first major-league at-bat of the season. The slugger slashed .209/.313/.314 with two homers and 10 RBI over 33 games in the majors last season, and he was slashing .231/.345/.535 with 32 homers and 79 RBI across 108 contests with Triple-A Memphis prior to his call-up Tuesday. Baker figures to be a short-side platoon option at designated hitter as well as a top bench bat whenever a southpaw reliever enters for an opponent. He may not get many starts, however, as starting catcher Willson Contreras is typically the DH when the Cardinals face lefty starters.

AUGUST 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Summoned from minors The Cardinals recalled Baker from Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday.

Impact Baker has slashed .231/.345/.535 with 32 home runs in 108 games this season at Memphis, which includes a 1.096 OPS versus left-handed pitching. The 27-year-old is blocked by Paul Goldschmidt at first base but figures to see some looks at designated hitter against southpaws.

AUGUST 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

2024 dynasty league sleepers: Luken Baker, Liover Peguero and more Looking for dynasty league sleepers to target in trades (or add via draft)? John Laghezza and Adam Ronis highlight six to consider.

FEBRUARY 22, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Lifts second homer Baker went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Sunday's 12-2 loss to the Padres.

Impact Baker produced the Cardinals' lone scoring play with his seventh-inning blast. He's seen steadier playing time over the last week, going 4-for-17 (.235) over his last six games. The 26-year-old is batting .217 with two homers, seven RBI, six runs scored and a double across 76 plate appearances in the majors this year. With the Cardinals in last in the NL Central, he'll likely get some more at-bats over the final week of the campaign as part of the evaluation for next season's roster.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start in DH role Baker will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Impact The 26-year-old should see an uptick in playing time over what remains of the 2023 regular season with Alec Burleson (thumb) joining Nolan Gorman (hamstring) on the injured list. Baker has gone 12-for-56 (.214) with 22 strikeouts through his first 22 games at the MLB level, but he was slashing .334/.440/.720 with 33 homers and 98 RBI in 84 games for Triple-A Memphis prior to being recalled in mid-August.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Belts first big-league homer Baker went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Saturday in a loss to the Phillies.

Impact Baker produced St. Louis' lone run of the contest with his solo shot off Zack Wheeler in the third inning. It was the 26-year-old's first major-league long ball, and there may be many more to come if his 33 homers over 84 games in the minors this season is any indication. Baker has played sparingly during his two call-ups to the big club, though he could start to see more opportunities down the stretch with the Cardinals sitting 12 games out of an NL wild-card spot.

AUGUST 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Baker's 1st HR ball takes wild path to Cards' dugout PHILADELPHIA -- Designated hitter Luken Baker was the lone bright spot for the Cardinals in their 12-1 loss to the Phillies on Saturday nigh...

AUGUST 27, 2023 • MLB.COM

Luken Baker SMACKS a solo home run to give the Cardinals an early lead over the Phillies

AUGUST 26, 2023 • FOX SPORTS

Sitting versus lefty Baker is absent from the lineup for Monday's game in Pittsburgh, Bally Sports Midwest reports.

Impact Baker has started just four of nine games since his recall and has now not been in the lineup three times in five contests versus southpaws over that time. The minor league's home run leader this season with 33 dingers, Baker has struggled during his few chances in the majors and the Cardinals don't seem terribly interested in giving him a longer look.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets start at DH Baker is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter and batting eighth Monday versus the Athletics.

Impact This will be Baker's first major-league game since he was recalled Saturday from Triple-A Memphis. The 26-year-old has struggled in limited action this season at baseball's highest level, but he's posted a tremendous .3334/.440/.720 batting line with 33 homers and 98 RBI across 84 games in the International League. Maybe he can carve out more playing time down the stretch on an out-of-contention St. Louis team.

AUGUST 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cardinals place OF Dylan Carlson on IL, promote 1B Luken Baker The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Dylan Carlson on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain and recalled first baseman Luk...

AUGUST 12, 2023 • DEADSPIN.COM

Recalled from Memphis The Cardinals recalled Baker from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

Impact With Dylan Carlson (oblique) headed for the 10-day IL, Baker will come up from the minors to give St. Louis additional infield depth. The 26-year-old first baseman is 5-for-19 in the majors this season and boasts a .334/.439/.720 slash line through 380 plate appearances in the minors.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Knizner activated from injured list by Cardinals, who option Baker to Memphis

Catcher Andrew Knizner was activated from the 10-day injured list by the St. Louis Cardinals, who optioned first baseman Luken Baker to Memphis and returned right-hander James Nail...

JULY 16, 2023 • Associated Press

Sent down Sunday The Cardinals optioned Baker to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact Baker hasn't appeared in a game since July 5. He will get regular at-bats again at Memphis, where he's crushed to the tune of a .319/.433/.664 slash line and 22 homers in 64 games this season. His path to playing time is complicated by his defensive limitations, though Baker figures to get another opportunity before the end of the season, perhaps shortly after the trade deadline.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled from Triple-A Baker was recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Monday.

Impact Baker was up with the Cardinals for a couple weeks last month but didn't play much. St. Louis is slated to face a few lefties this week, so he could see some starts at designated hitter.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads back to minors The Cardinals optioned Baker to Triple-A Memphis on Monday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact He'll move back to the minors to clear a spot on the 26-man active roster for outfielder Lars Nootbaar (back), who was reinstated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Following his promotion from Memphis on June 4, Baker started at designated hitter in his first two games with the Cardinals, but he cracked the lineup just once in the team's subsequent 11 contests. He'll get the chance to play on a regular basis in his return to Triple-A.

JUNE 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

TCU's St. Louis Cardinals success story: Luken Baker earned every bit of his promotion Luken Baker was a sure thing who wasn’t, but eventually he forced his way into a St. Louis Cardinals call-up

JUNE 13, 2023 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Another start at DH Baker is starting at designated hitter and batting fifth on Monday versus the Rangers, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Baker collected two singles in his major-league debut Sunday in Pittsburgh and is back in there Monday against southpaw Martin Perez. Most of Baker's playing time could come versus lefties, although some DH at-bats could be had against righties, too, with Nolan Gorman playing more second base of late.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two hits in debut Baker went 2-for-4 in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Pirates.

Impact Baker found some success in his major-league debut, but he was one of just three Cardinals to hit safely in the game. The first baseman has found success with a refined approach at the plate this season, posting a 17.8 percent walk rate and 21.7 percent strikeout rate along with a .313/.434/.641 slash line and 18 home runs in 54 games with Triple-A Memphis. It's unclear how much playing time he'll get between first base and designated hitter -- he was at the latter position Sunday, and that may be his best path into the lineup. He may have to initially settle for a short-side platoon role, as it's unlikely Baker will hit well enough to cut into Paul Goldschmidt's playing time.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets first big-league promotion The Cardinals selected Baker's contract from Triple-A Memphis on Sunday. He'll serve as St. Louis' designated hitter and No. 7 batter in his MLB debut in the Cardinals' series fina...

Impact The 26-year-old earned his first big-league call-up after slashing .313/.434/.641 with 29 extra-base hits (18 home runs, 11 doubles) to go with an impressive 17.8 percent walk rate and 21.7 percent strikeout rate over 244 plate appearances with Memphis. Though his bat certainly looks big-league ready, Baker's lack of defensive flexibility may hurt his chances of earning a permanent role with the Cardinals. He's played only at first base in the minors, and with reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt already entrenched at that position, Baker's path to playing time will likely come solely at designated hitter. Baker is further hurt by the fact that he's a right-handed hitter, potentially relegating him to the short side of a platoon.

JUNE 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Leads Triple-A in home runs Baker, 26, leads all Triple-A hitters with 14 home runs and has a .302/.436/.669 slash line in 39 games for Memphis.

Impact The rule for players like Baker who will provide zero or negative defensive value is that they need to hit a lot at every level on their path to the majors, and Baker failed in that respect last year at Triple-A, slashing .228/.288/.394 in 124 games. However, he's been so good this season that he can't be completely written off as a Quadruple-A hitter. His 40 percent hard-hit rate and 11.6 percent soft-hit rate are excellent marks, and his 0.80 BB/K is the best ratio of his career. Even so, Baker is stuck behind Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Gorman, Juan Yepez and Alec Burleson on the organizational depth chart at first base and designated hitter for now.

MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Luken Baker SMACKS a solo home run to give the Cardinals an early lead over the Phillies

Knizner activated from injured list by Cardinals, who option Baker to Memphis