- Brad Baker
Bradley Donald Baker (born
November 6 ,1980 in Brattleboro,Vermont ) is a fomerMinor League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher . Baker threw afastball which consistently hit 90 mph, an above-average curve, and average change.After being drafted by the
Boston Red Sox in the 1st Round of the 1999 Draft, Baker played for the Rookie LeagueGulf Coast Red Sox , where he recorded a 1-0 record, a 0.79earned run average , and 10strikeout s in 4 games.Brad had a career year in by|2000 with the
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 Sarasota Red Sox and went 7-9 with a 4.7 ERA and 103 strikeouts. He also played for Sarasota in by|2002, going 7-1, with a 2.79 ERA and 65 strikeouts, before being traded to theSan Diego Padres onJune 26 , by|2002 forAlan Embree . Baker finished the season with San Diego's AA affiliate, theMobile BayBears .Brad began the by|2003 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. He also recorded 53 strikeouts.The next year, still playing with the BayBears, Brad fared much better, with a 2-1 record, a 1.57 ERA, and 68 strikeouts. Near the end of the season, he was recalled to the AAA
Portland Beavers , where he played 4 games, recording a stellar 0.93 ERA in 9.2innings pitched . He led San Diego's minor league organization in saves with 34 in by|2004.Brad went 4-5 with a 4.75 ERA, 75 strikeouts, and 27 saves as the team's closer in by|2005. He had a good Spring Training, but he didn't make the major leagues.
The Braves signed Brad as a
free agent onNovember 17 , by|2005 to a one-year contract. OnMay 15 , by|2006, he was traded back to the Boston Red Sox to complete a trade for relieverFranklin Nunez . Baker was 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA with the R-Braves. [http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&%09s=1045855935035&c=MGArticle&cid=1137836075932&path=!sports!localpros]In a local newspaper article in March 2008 Baker claimed that he was retiring from Professional Baseball. As of June 2008 he has yet to sign on with any team. [http://www.plotkindesigns.com/aceshsfolklore/baseball_bergeron_baker_retire.html]
External links
* [http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=434580 Brad Baker at MLB.com]
* [http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/393501 Brad Baker at CBS SportsLine.com]
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