The post Report: White Sox nearing minors deal with Darren Baker, son of Dusty appeared first on Sox On 35th.
The son of legendary manager Dusty Baker appears set to join the White Sox.
Second baseman and left fielder Darren Baker is supposedly nearing a minor-league deal with the South Siders. Mark Gonzalez first reported the potential agreement on X, though the organization has yet to make anything official.
Long before beginning his professional career, Baker became a familiar name during the 2002 World Series, when Giants first baseman J.T. Snow famously scooped him off the field during an active play. Now 26 years old, the former bat boy is seeking an extended look at the major league level.
Baker was selected by the Nationals in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft and has spent his entire career in Washington’s organization. In 2024, he notably earned Minor League Baserunner of the Year honors and, later that September, received his first major league promotion. Baker appeared in nine games, going 7-for-14 with two doubles and five singles, the only big league action he’s seen to this point.
Splitting time nearly equally between second base and left field, Baker has spent much of the past three seasons with Triple-A Rochester. Across 1,324 plate appearances, he has produced a .274/.345/.336 slash line with 44 doubles and 115 RBI, consistently reaching base at a solid clip. His speed is his calling card, as Baker has stolen 83 bases in 99 attempts over 309 Triple-A games, giving him the potential to emerge as a valuable late-inning option as a pinch-runner or defensive replacement.
“Thank you Darren Baker” we all say in unison
pic.twitter.com/HQZlVDaL4T
— Rochester Red Wings (@RocRedWings) May 26, 2025
While Baker could provide infield depth, his outfield experience is particularly intriguing given the White Sox’s current roster situation. The club has traded away Luis Robert Jr. and recently missed out on signing Harrison Bader, though it remains unclear how seriously they pursued him despite an apparently strong fit. As a result, Luisangel Acuña seems poised to take over center field duties, while right field remains a major question mark, with Brooks Baldwin, Jarred Kelenic, and LaMonte Wade Jr. among the potential options.
A strong spring could put Baker in the conversation for early-season playing time, though a start in Triple-A Charlotte may be more likely as he serves as a versatile depth piece. His name will certainly be worth watching throughout camp.
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The post Report: White Sox nearing minors deal with Darren Baker, son of Dusty appeared first on Sox On 35th.