Craig Baker Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Craig W. Baker
Born 01/31/1985 in Hemet, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Cal State Northridge
Drafted in the 4th round (108th overall) by the Colorado Rockies in 2006 (signed for $265,000).

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Baker doesn't have a track record of success, having posted a 7.19 career ERA over two seasons in the Cal State Northridge rotation. He has improved his ability to throw strikes, however, and has jumped up several notches on many draft boards. He was at his best early in the season, when he faced Friday starters on some of the top teams in the country, such as Arizona State, Washington, Oklahoma State and Arkansas. At his best, Baker showed solid control of an average fastball that sat in the 89-92 mph range, and his curveball was a plus pitch with depth and power. He throws it in the low 80s, and it has good depth whether he throws it for a strike or buries it in the dirt. He works the bottom of the zone with his curve and the top of the zone with his fastball, an approach he may have to change in pro ball if he can't get his heater by better hitters. His changeup remains a third pitch. He wore down as the season went on, and a hamstring injury limited his durability. The Matadors had moved him to the bullpen, a role that might suit him better as a pro.

Top Rankings

After Baker finished second in the minors with 33 saves last season, the Rockies sweated when they left him off their 40-man roster. But he went unpicked in the major league Rule 5 draft, so he'll continue his climb toward Colorado in 2010. Because of a heavy college workload and biceps tendinitis, Baker didn't pitch in his first pro summer after signing in 2006. Shoulder problems cost him the last month of the 2007 season, and he returned to low Class A in 2008 before taking off last season. Baker uses a high three-quarters delivery to his advantage in creating deception on his four-seam fastball, which ranges from 89-94 mph. He complements his heater with a 12-to-6 curveball. He has good control but will need to sharpen his command of both pitches as he moves up. He also has a slider but could use a pitch to combat lefthanders, perhaps a two-seamer. He's ready to advance to Double-A.