The Arizona Diamondbacks have brought aboard a first baseman with great minor league power numbers and a bit of MLB experience.
Their new signing has previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals in the majors, and in the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor league system.
The new guy is Luken Baker, with the deal reported by Aram Leighton.
Baker spent the final two months of the 2025 season in the Dodgers' system after they claimed him on waivers in August.
Before that, he had been with the Cardinals since being a second-round draft pick by St. Louis in 2018.
MORE: Team USA's projected WBC lineup is incredible
He has played in 73 career MLB games, hitting four home runs.
Baker, who will be 29 in the season ahead, has a strong minor league track record.
In 2023 at Triple-A Memphis, Baker hit.334 and had 33 home runs in just 380 plate appearances.
He had 32 home runs in 2024 back at Memphis.
In 2025, Baker's Triple-A numbers including just 18 home runs, but his.441 slugging percentage was still solid.
He seems most likely to start the season ahead at Triple-A Reno, but there surely will be a chance to earn a spot if he rakes in the spring.
Pavin Smith is a lefty hitter for the Diamondbacks at first base, so Baker could work as a platoon partner if he proves capable.
More MLB news:
- Dominican Republic's projected WBC lineup is fierce
- Reds have a promising prospect named Ichiro Cano
- It's a good day to remember Bob Feller's brilliance and his time in the U.S. Navy
- How Aroldis Chapman is able to pitch for Great Britain in the WBC
- Alex Bregman has a key free agent preference
- Yankees' pitcher leaving MLB to sign in Japan