LUKEN BAKER #26 - FIRST BASEMAN - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
2  HR  •
10  RBI  •
.175  AVG 
#26 - FIRST BASEMAN - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
2 HR
10 RBI
.175 AVG
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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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