Baker hopes to ward off injury bug

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Baker hopes to ward off injury bug
04/05/2006 10:34 AM ET
By Thomas Harding / MLB.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Rockies outfield prospect Jeff Baker considered getting a rabbit's foot tattoo in hopes of warding off the injury bug, but he decided on the direct approach.
"I've got all those gremlins on my side this year because I had a talk with them," Baker said. "They're not going to come out. I feel pretty good about that."
If Baker stays healthy, he can be a monster in his own right at Triple-A Colorado Springs. In 2005, the 24-year-old endured a series of injuries, some simply freaky, yet still managed to hit .303 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in 61 games for the Sky Sox.
This year, Baker has moved from third base to right field, but he'll also keep his skills current at his old position. He'll be a key part of the lineup for the Sky Sox, who worked out Tuesday at Security Service Field, will travel to Tacoma for a workout on Wednesday and open the Pacific Coast League season against the Rainiers on Thursday.
Baker was slated to start 2005 at Double-A Tulsa but wound up the Rockies' Opening Day third baseman because of an injury to Garrett Atkins. Baker batted .211 in 12 games before the Rockies sent him to Colorado Springs. There, he suffered a bruised nerve in his right thumb when hit by a pitch, a slight quad strain, a bruised left thumb when hit by a line drive while running the bases during batting practice and, strangest of all, a concussion when hit by an outfielder's throw while trying to score.
Baker, who signed a $2 million Major League contract after the Rockies drafted him out of Clemson in 2002, didn't receive a callup at the end of last season but has since re-established his prospect status. He embraced the move to the outfield by dropping from his 2005 season-ending weight of 225 to 205, flying to Arizona for outfield drills with Rockies first base coach Dave Collins and impressing the staff with his development.
Baker knocked four Cactus League home runs, second only to third base prospect Ian Stewart's five, and drove in 13 runs, which tied for second behind Stewart's 14. Baker finished with a .237 batting average, but six of his nine hits were for extra bases and he managed a .318 on-base percentage.
Colorado Springs manager Tom Runnells said his goal is to help Baker develop into a player who can have an impact the next time he is called to the Majors.
Runnells said the plan is for Baker to begin the season in right field, batting either third or fourth (left fielder Ryan Spilborghs will join Baker in the middle of the lineup). But Baker will continue to take infield practice -- he did it on Tuesday -- and will play some third as the season progresses.
"I've had 'Bake' in the past and I know Jeff -- he can hit," said Runnells, who managed Baker for 24 games (.297, 4 HR, 20 RBIs) at Double-A Tulsa in 2004. "There's no question on what the man can do offensively. I think the big thing is to kind of find a position for him, whether it be the outfield or third base or both."
Baker is fine with his assignments.
"I think this is going to be the year," Baker said. "With the ability to play the outfield and infield, it's going to excel my opportunity to get more games, and I feel really good about this season. If something freak happens again this season, then it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't."

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.