John Baker, Retired

Date of Birth: 1/20/1981
Birthplace: Alameda, California
College: University of California at Berkeley

John Baker was first drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2002. He played in the Athletics' minor league system from 2002 through 2006. In March, 2007, the Athletics traded him to the Miami Marlins.

Baker joined the Marlins in 2008 for 61 games. On July 10, 2008, his first major league hit was a home run. He finished the 2008 season with a .299 batting average.

Baker played in 112 games in 2009 and he finished with 101 hits, 25 doubles, 50 RBIs, and a .271 batting average. As a catcher, he made 42 assists, 748 putouts, and 6 errors with a .992 fielding percentage in 105 games.

After spending most of the 2010 season on the DL, Baker had Tommy John surgery. He then spent most of the 2011 season in the minor leagues recovering from the surgery.

In November, 2011, the Marlins traded Baker to the San Diego Padres. He was a backup catcher in 2012, batting .238 in 63 games with the Padres.

On June 10, 2013, after 16 games with the Padres, Baker was designated for assignment. Five days later, the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed him off waivers and they sent him down to the minor leagues.

In December, 2013, Baker signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. He finished the 2014 season with 35 hits and a .192 batting average in 68 games.

Baker signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on January 28, 2015. They released him on May 20, 2015.

Baker was hired by the Cubs as a baseball operations assistant on December 17, 2015.

Career batting statistics for Baker through 2015 include:

• 359 games played
• 266 hits
• 120 RBIs
• 269 strikeouts to 127 walks
• .247 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Baker as a catcher through 2015 include:

• 311 games played
• 135 assists
• 2,190 putouts
• 18 errors
• .187 caught stealing percentage
• .992 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - John Baker
ESPN - John Baker