SEPTEMBER 30 • SI.COM
DARREN BAKER #10 - SECOND BASEMAN - WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Washington Nationals Release Darren Baker, Son of Former Manager Dusty Baker The offseason has arrived and the Washington Nationals are already making moves. It is just the beginning for new President of Baseball Oper...
Released by Nationals The Nationals released Baker on Monday.
Impact Baker was outrighted off the 40-man roster earlier this month and is now out of the organization altogether. Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Baker asked to be released in order to pursue an opportunity elsewhere, and that request was granted. Baker slashed .256/.343/.318 with one homer at 26 steals in 107 games with Triple-A Rochester in 2025.
SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE
Outrighted to Triple-A Baker received an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.
Impact The Nationals designated Baker for assignment Wednesday, and after clearing waivers, the 26-year-old will remain in the organization. He hasn't appeared in a big-league game in 2025, and is slashing .260/.348/.325 with 26 stolen bases in 361 plate appearances this season with Rochester.
SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE
Booted off 40-man roster The Nationals designated Baker for assignment Wednesday.
Impact The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Sauryn Lao, who was claimed off waivers. Baker got a cup of coffee in the big leagues in 2024 but has spent all of 2025 at Triple-A Rochester, slashing .260/.348/.325 with one home run and 26 steals. The 26-year-old stands a good chance of clearing waivers.
SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Booted off 40-man roster The Nationals designated Baker for assignment Wednesday.
Impact The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Sauryn Lao, who was claimed off waivers from the Mariners. Baker got a cup of coffee in the big leagues in 2024 but has spent all of 2025 at Triple-A Rochester, slashing .260/.348/.325 with one home run and 26 steals. The 26-year-old stands a good chance of clearing waivers and remaining in the Nationals organization.
SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Opening season in minors The Nationals optioned Baker to Triple-A Rochester on Monday.
Impact Baker received his first taste of the big leagues as a September call-up in 2024, seeing action with Washington in nine games while going 7-for-14 with two doubles and one run. The 26-year-old likely projects as a utility player at the big-league level, but he'll be given the chance to play on an everyday basis in Rochester to begin the upcoming season.
MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE
Baker makes new memories at Wrigley Field CHICAGO -- On May 4, 2003, a 4-year-old Darren Baker sang “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” at Wrigley Field while his mother, Melissa, held hi...
SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • MLB.COM
Receives call-up The Nationals selected Baker's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.
Impact The son of longtime manager and former MLB outfielder Dusty Baker, Darren will get his first taste of the big leagues at age 25. The left-handed Baker lacks power (no home runs in 483 plate appearances at Triple-A), but he makes good contact (18.8 percent strikeout rate, .285 average) and brings speed to the table (38 steals in 43 attempts). He'll serve in a utility role for the Nationals in September and saw action at second base, left field and center field for the Triple-A club this season.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Receives call-up The Nationals selected Baker's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday.
Impact The son of longtime manager and former MLB outfielder Dusty Baker, Darren will get his first taste of the big leagues at age 25. The left-handed Baker lacks power (no home runs in 483 plate appearances at Triple-A), but he makes good contact (18.8 percent strikeout rate, .285 average) and brings speed to the table (38 steals in 43 attempts). He'll serve in a utility role for the Nationals in September and saw action at second base, left field and center field for the Triple-A club this season.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Promotion incoming The Nationals will select Baker's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
Impact MLB rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players Sunday, so the Nationals will take the opportunity to add depth to their bench by promoting Baker. The 25-year-old has spent the entire season at Triple-A slashing .285/.348/.340 with 49 RBI across 483 plate appearances. While he may not offer much in terms of production at the plate, his ability to play at both second base and in left field will give the Nats additional defensive flexibility for the final month of the season.
AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Promotion forthcoming The Nationals will select Baker's contract from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
Impact MLB rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players Sunday, so the Nationals will take the opportunity to add depth to their bench by promoting Baker. The 25-year-old has spent the entire season at Triple-A slashing .285/.348/.340 with 49 RBI across 483 plate appearances. While he may not offer much in terms of production at the plate, his ability to play both second base and left field will give the Nats additional defensive flexibility for the final month of the season.
AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
