Darren Baker has come a long way since being rescued at home plate by J.T. Snow during Game 5 of the 2002 World Series. Baker was just three years old when he served as a bat boy for the San Francisco Giants and he infamously went to retrieve a bat during live play and had to be swept up by Snow while crossing home plate.
Now Baker is part of the Washington Nationals organization. A 10th-round draft pick in 2021 out of the University of California-Berkeley, Baker is thriving in his first full season. On Thursday, he was one of two Nationals prospects selected to the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game to be played in Los Angeles on July 16.
His father, Dusty Baker, was the manager of the Giants during the 2002 World Series. Now the elder Baker is the manager of the Houston Astros after stops leading the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Nationals through the years.
Dusty Baker reacted to news of his son being selected in MLB’s future showcase.
“I think that’s pretty cool,” Baker said, per Mark Berman of Fox’s KRIV. “That’s pretty good in his first full season. I’m pulling for my boy, I’m proud to call him my son.”
Darren Baker plays for the Nationals’ High-A affiliate the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the South Atlantic League. In 55 games, he is hitting .264/.328/.347 with one home run, 20 RBI and 20 walks. He also has 10 stolen bases in 12 attempts and 36 runs scored.
Right-handed pitcher Cade Cavalli will also be representing the Nationals in the game. Cavalli is the Nationals’ consensus top prospect. This will be his second straight appearance in the Futures All-Star Game.
Dusty Baker will be in Los Angeles as well. He’ll be the manager for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game on July 19.
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