The Diamondbacks announced that they have selected the contract of first baseman Luken Baker. He’ll take the active roster spot of fellow first baseman Carlos Santana. Santana has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to April 6th, with a strained right adductor. To open a 40-man spot for Baker, outfielder Jordan Lawlar has been transferred to the 60-day injured list. Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic previously reported that Baker had a locker in the Arizona clubhouse.
Baker, 29, signed a minor league deal with the Snakes in the offseason. His profile is limited, since he only plays first base and isn’t a burner on the basepaths. His time in the minors has shown that he can hit, however. From the start of 2023 to the present, he has taken 1,284 Triple-A plate appearances with 84 home runs. His 23.5% strikeout rate in that time is pretty close to average while his 15% walk rate is huge. For that span, he has a combined line of .259/.371/.555 and a 131 wRC+.
The Cardinals gave him minimal big league playing time over the past three years. In 189 plate appearances, he produced an underwhelming .206/.317/.338 line and 87 wRC+. He was put on waivers in August. The Dodgers claimed him and quickly outrighted him. He became a free agent at season’s end, which led to his deal with the Diamondbacks.
Arizona has a large number of players on the injured list already, with their first base depth having been hit particularly hard. Tyler Locklear injured his left elbow and shoulder late last year and is still recovering from surgery performed in October. Pavin Smith hit the IL a few days into the season due to left elbow inflammation. A couple of days ago, Santana was removed from a game with groin discomfort, which led to today’s IL placement.
Utility guys José Fernández and Ildemaro Vargas have each picked up starts at first base in recent days, while catcher Adrian Del Castillo has picked up some starts in the designated hitter slot. Baker gives the club a more straightforward first baseman, which could allow Fernández and/or Vargas to play elsewhere. Baker’s right-handed bat could also be a nice complement for the lefty-swinging Del Castillo. Baker’s big league numbers aren’t impressive overall but he has a .244/.357/.390 line and 113 wRC+ against lefties.
Baker is out of options, which could lead to a squeeze in the future. Santana, Smith, Locklear and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will be coming off the injured list in the future, meaning other guys will have to make room.
As for Lawlar, he landed on the 10-day IL a few days ago after he was hit by a pitch and suffered a right wrist fracture. Manager Torey Lovullo said Lawlar would miss six to eight weeks. This 60-day IL placement will extend that timeline slightly. If he is healthy before the 60 days are up, he can go on a minor league rehab assignment for a maximum of 20 days.
Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images
Is his middle name Leah?
Go Luken. We always liked you in St Louis. Come out bashing . Big man has power
Luken Baker belongs in Texas. With Waylon and Willie and the boys
Time to get back to the basics of life.
Take the opportunity and run with it Baker. Definitely has some raw power that will play big in that arizona air.
Opportunities don’t get much better than this. Pretty clear the end is rapidly approaching a bottoming out Santana.
I may be wrong about all of this (I often am),but Baker was considered of the best hitting/power
prospects in his draft year. Hope he takes his opportunity and runs with it.
He reminds me a bit of Alonso. Another player who has not been given a real chance at MLB level.
Sorry. Baker reminds me a bit of Alonso, and Baker has not been given a real chance at MLB level.
Clearly Alonso has earned his keep at MLB.
Another point, Baker was with Cardinals. If he succeeds, it will be another player the Cardinals let get away
They had Goldschmidt, then Contreras to clear way at catcher for an embarrassment of talent at the position, now Burleson at 1B who plays much better there than in the outfield. I wouldnt mind seeing Baker succeeding. It wouldn’t hurt as bad as Arozarena, or Garcia. Who were blocked by Fowler amongst others and Fowler was a massive overspend to get back at the Cubs for Heyward. Neither working out to well for either club. I know im happy as a clam seeing Jordan Walker hitting the ball the other way with power!
Hopefully he gets a legit “run” at first/DH because with his AAA#’s he’s earned it!!