Aaron Baker (minors01)

Aaron Hawkins Baker

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height6' 2", Weight 220 lb.
• School University of Oklahoma
• High School Denton High School
• Born September 10, 1987 in Denton, TX USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

First baseman Aaron Baker played professionally from 2009 to 2015, peaking at Double-A.

He was drafted twice. Initially, he was taken by the Minnesota Twins in the 37th round of the 2006 amateur draft, a couple picks after pitcher Josh Stinson, but opted not to sign. He did sign after being taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 11th round of the 2009 amateur draft, one pick ahead of catcher Mike Ohlman. Signed by scout Mike Leuzinger, he began his pro career that year.

He slashed .247/.341/.414 in 62 games his first campaign, tying Jamie Johnson for the New York-Penn League-lead in triples with 7. His 4 intentional walks were second in the loop, behind Luis Rivera's 6. Upping his output to .253/.340/.453 with 18 home runs and 79 RBI in 125 games for the West Virginia Power in 2010, Baker earned a spot on the South Atlantic League Mid-Season All-Star team. He began 2011 in the Pirates system, but on July 30 was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for first baseman Derrek Lee. On the year, he hit .284/.348/.458 with 17 home runs and 85 RBI in 130 games -- including a .386/.472/.591 line in 12 games for the O's High-A club, the Frederick Keys. While with the Bradenton Marauders that year, he made the Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star team, earning MVP honors. He also tied multiple players for second in the league in sacrifice flies with 8, behind Mike Sheridan's 12.

He spent the 2011-12 winter with the Perth Heat of the Australian Baseball League, posting a .524 slugging mark in 23 games. He returned to the Orioles chain for 2013 to hit .270/.354/.548 with 22 home runs and 76 RBI in 92 games. He was a MiLB.com Organization All-Star, tying Trayce Thompson for the Carolina League-lead in home runs with 22. He slipped to a .224/.301/.369 line in 2013 and was cut loose. After not playing in 2014, he joined the independent American Association in 2015, posting a .143 average in 49 at-bats to wrap up his career.

Overall, Baker hit .259/.339/.455 with 66 home runs and 298 RBI in his five seasons of affiliated minor league ball. Including his time in Australia and indy ball, he hit .256/.337/.451 with 71 home runs and 323 RBI in 522 games.