Friday, March 17, 2006

Jeff Baker

Jeff Baker - Baseball Statistics - Biography, Minor League Stats and Baseball Cards

With Ryan Shealy unable to convert to the outfield and possibily beginning the year on the DL with an elbow strain (the same one he had surgery on already), the Rox need a righty OF to nominally platoon with Brad Hawpe.

Eli Marrero looks like he will serve as a super-utility player, but an intriguing player is Jeff Baker. He started in RF a couple days ago, and I expect to see that entering the season.

Making this more likely is the plantar fasciitis of steroid flunky Jorge Piedra. If the problem persists, then Piedra has little use as one of the back-up OF as he will be hampered patrolling the vast Colorado OF.

Additionally, Cory Sullivan looks OK and may be capable of playing a lot of CF with no competition. Jeff Salazar was his main minor league competition, but he is out with an elbow tear that may need TJ surgery.

From this mess, Jeff Baker looks likely to emerge. All he has to do is stay healthy. A tall order, but his persistent college and minor league success bodes well for a successful rookie campaign.

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