As Spring Training draws near, the White Sox are continuing to round out their roster with minor league signings - and it looks like another name is about to join the mix. According to Mark Gonzales, the team is close to signing Darren Baker to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
If the name sounds familiar, it should. Darren is the son of Dusty Baker, the longtime MLB player and manager whose legacy is woven into the fabric of the game. But Darren’s name is starting to carry weight on its own, thanks to a steady rise through the minors and a brief, but impressive, big-league debut last season.
At 26 years old (he’ll be 27 by Opening Day), Baker got his first taste of the majors in 2025 with the Washington Nationals - and he made the most of it. In just nine games, he went 7-for-14 at the plate and scored a run. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but it showed the kind of contact skills and poise that have defined his minor league career.
Last season, Baker spent the bulk of his time with the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate, where he played in 107 games. He posted a .256/.343/.318 slash line, chipped in one home run, drove in 25 runs, and stole 26 bases.
That’s not eye-popping power, but that’s not his game. Baker’s calling card is his ability to get on base and create havoc with his speed.
Across 453 minor league games, he’s slashed .280/.347/.347 with 102 stolen bases - a clear sign he knows how to manufacture offense in other ways.
With the White Sox roster mostly set heading into camp, Baker will likely be competing for a utility role. His versatility - he’s played both infield and outfield - gives him a shot to stick, especially if injuries open up a spot.
Even if he doesn’t break camp with the big league club, he’s the kind of depth piece every team needs over the course of a 162-game season. He’ll be a name to watch in Triple-A, ready to contribute if and when the opportunity arises.
For now, it’s a low-risk, high-upside move for the White Sox. Baker brings speed, contact, and defensive flexibility - and while he’s still carving out his own path, there’s no denying the baseball instincts run deep in the family.