Brad Baker
Encyclopedia
Bradley Donald Baker is a former Minor League Baseball
right-handed relief pitcher
. Baker threw a fastball
which consistently hit 90 mph, an above-average change
and an average curve
.
in Northfield, Massachusetts
. He made the varsity baseball team in 8th grade and graduated in 1999 breaking almost all school records. He signed a national letter of intent to play college baseball at the University of Florida
but decided to enter professional baseball instead.
in the 1st Round (40th overall) of the 1999 Draft
, he was immediately assigned and played for the Rookie League Gulf Coast Red Sox, where he recorded a 1-0 record, a 0.79 earned run average
, and 10 strikeout
s in 4 games.
Brad had a career year in with the Single A Augusta GreenJackets
. His statistics included a 12-7 win-loss record, a 3.07 ERA, 126 strikeouts, and 55 walks
in 27 games. The following year, Baker played for the Single A Sarasota Red Sox and went 7-9 with a 4.70 ERA and 103 strikeouts. He also played for Sarasota in , going 7-1, with a 2.79 ERA and 65 strikeouts, before being traded to the San Diego Padres
on June 26, 2002 for Alan Embree
. Just a few weeks after the trade, Baker was honored by being selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game
at the MLB All Star Game. Baker finished the season with San Diego's AA affiliate, the Mobile BayBears
. He would compile a record of 4-4, with a 4.48 ERA in 12 games with Mobile.
Brad began the season with the Class A Lake Elsinore Storm
, compiling a 3-1 record, a 2.01 ERA, and 69 K before being called up back to AA Mobile. With the BayBears, he went a dismal 1-6 with a 5.68 ERA and 53 strikeouts. In this season Baker would start making relief appearances.
In 2004, still playing with the BayBears, Brad fared much better. For the first time in his career he was moved into the bullpen on a full-time basis as a closer. Brad instantly succeeded in his new role with a 2-1 record, a 1.57 ERA, and 68 strikeouts. Near the end of the season, he was called up to the AAA Portland Beavers
, where he played 4 games, recording a stellar 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings pitched
. He led San Diego's minor league organization in saves
with 34 in .
Brad went 4-5 with a 4.75 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and 27 saves as the Portland Beavers
closer
in . He had a good Spring Training, but he did not make the major league roster. He would also not receive a September call-up to the Padres as their closer was future Hall of Fame pitcher Trevor Hoffman
and the team was in the middle of a playoff hunt and not looking to give innings to unproven, young pitchers.
Knowing that if he stayed in San Diego he would have to compete for a job with Hoffman, the Atlanta Braves
signed Baker as a free agent
on November 17, 2005 to a one-year contract. He figured to have an excellent chance of making the 2006 major league club as he had a good spring training and the Braves did not have a closer. However, Baker's velocity, which had once been in the 90's was now only in the mid to high 80's. He was cut from the Braves roster and started the season with AAA Richmond
. On May 15, 2006, he was traded back to the team who originally drafted him, the Boston Red Sox, and was assigned to AAA Pawtucket
to complete a trade for reliever Franklin Núñez
. Baker finished the season going 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA with the Richmond Braves but was 0-0 with a 6.07 ERA with Pawtucket.
In 2007, Baker signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins
and split time between the AA New Britain Rock Cats
and the AAA Rochester Red Wings
. His combined record was 2-7 with an ERA of 5.72.
In 2009 Baker returned to the mound, however, this time with a local non-professional summer league team in the Tri-County League in his native area of Western Massachusetts
. Baker has stated that he will be taking classes to move forward to earning a college degree.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. Baker threw a fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
which consistently hit 90 mph, an above-average change
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
and an average curve
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
.
High school
Baker attended Pioneer Valley Regional SchoolPioneer Valley Regional School
Pioneer Valley Regional School is a regional comprehensive secondary school .The faculty consists of 56 individuals creating a student-teacher ratio of 11.25 to 1. The total enrollment of the school in September, 2008, was 530 students. There were 67 members in the graduating class of 2009...
in Northfield, Massachusetts
Northfield, Massachusetts
Northfield is a town in Franklin County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 2,951 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. He made the varsity baseball team in 8th grade and graduated in 1999 breaking almost all school records. He signed a national letter of intent to play college baseball at the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
but decided to enter professional baseball instead.
Professional career
Baker was drafted by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in the 1st Round (40th overall) of the 1999 Draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
, he was immediately assigned and played for the Rookie League Gulf Coast Red Sox, where he recorded a 1-0 record, a 0.79 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
, and 10 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 4 games.
Brad had a career year in with the Single A Augusta GreenJackets
Augusta GreenJackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a minor league baseball team that plays in Augusta, Georgia, as a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Lake Olmstead Stadium has been the home of the GreenJackets since the 1995 season, although Augusta has fielded a team in the South Atlantic League since 1988...
. His statistics included a 12-7 win-loss record, a 3.07 ERA, 126 strikeouts, and 55 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
in 27 games. The following year, Baker played for the Single A Sarasota Red Sox and went 7-9 with a 4.70 ERA and 103 strikeouts. He also played for Sarasota in , going 7-1, with a 2.79 ERA and 65 strikeouts, before being traded to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
on June 26, 2002 for Alan Embree
Alan Embree
Alan Duane Embree is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Previously, Embree played with the Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves , Arizona Diamondbacks , San Francisco Giants , Chicago White Sox , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , New York...
. Just a few weeks after the trade, Baker was honored by being selected to play in the All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
at the MLB All Star Game. Baker finished the season with San Diego's AA affiliate, the Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are a minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league club. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home...
. He would compile a record of 4-4, with a 4.48 ERA in 12 games with Mobile.
Brad began the season with the Class A Lake Elsinore Storm
Lake Elsinore Storm
The Lake Elsinore Storm is a minor league baseball team in Lake Elsinore, California, USA. It is a Class A - Advanced team in the California League, and is a farm team of the San Diego Padres. The Storm plays its home games at Lake Elsinore Diamond...
, compiling a 3-1 record, a 2.01 ERA, and 69 K before being called up back to AA Mobile. With the BayBears, he went a dismal 1-6 with a 5.68 ERA and 53 strikeouts. In this season Baker would start making relief appearances.
In 2004, still playing with the BayBears, Brad fared much better. For the first time in his career he was moved into the bullpen on a full-time basis as a closer. Brad instantly succeeded in his new role with a 2-1 record, a 1.57 ERA, and 68 strikeouts. Near the end of the season, he was called up to the AAA Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
, where he played 4 games, recording a stellar 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. He led San Diego's minor league organization in saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
with 34 in .
Brad went 4-5 with a 4.75 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and 27 saves as the Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
in . He had a good Spring Training, but he did not make the major league roster. He would also not receive a September call-up to the Padres as their closer was future Hall of Fame pitcher Trevor Hoffman
Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During his 18-year career from 1993 to 2010, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and the Milwaukee Brewers, spending years of his career with the Padres. A long-time closer, he is the Major...
and the team was in the middle of a playoff hunt and not looking to give innings to unproven, young pitchers.
Knowing that if he stayed in San Diego he would have to compete for a job with Hoffman, the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
signed Baker as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
on November 17, 2005 to a one-year contract. He figured to have an excellent chance of making the 2006 major league club as he had a good spring training and the Braves did not have a closer. However, Baker's velocity, which had once been in the 90's was now only in the mid to high 80's. He was cut from the Braves roster and started the season with AAA Richmond
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. On May 15, 2006, he was traded back to the team who originally drafted him, the Boston Red Sox, and was assigned to AAA Pawtucket
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
to complete a trade for reliever Franklin Núñez
Franklin Núñez
Franklin Núñez is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies organization.He pitched in and for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He played for the Triple-A Richmond Braves in and the independent Atlantic League York Revolution in , before being signed by the Milwaukee Brewers in August...
. Baker finished the season going 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA with the Richmond Braves but was 0-0 with a 6.07 ERA with Pawtucket.
In 2007, Baker signed a free agent contract with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and split time between the AA New Britain Rock Cats
New Britain Rock Cats
The New Britain Rock Cats are the Double-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball club. They compete in the Eastern League and play their home games at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Connecticut.-History:...
and the AAA Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. His combined record was 2-7 with an ERA of 5.72.
Retirement
Without much interest from any major league teams for the 2008 season, a newspaper article in March 2008 cited Baker as stating that he was retiring from professional baseball. Baker cited loss of velocity and age as the primary reasons for his retirement.In 2009 Baker returned to the mound, however, this time with a local non-professional summer league team in the Tri-County League in his native area of Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts
Western Massachusetts is a loosely defined geographical region of the U.S. state of Massachusetts which contains the Berkshires, the Pioneer Valley, and some or all of the Swift River Valley. The region is always considered to include Berkshire, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties, and the...
. Baker has stated that he will be taking classes to move forward to earning a college degree.