How Cardinals Triple-A home run king Luken Baker has transitioned to new role in the majors

When Cardinals slugger Luken Baker sits down before each series to familiarize himself with each of the pitchers on the opposing team he might face, he knows that hes likely preparing for one potentially pivotal at-bat in a game or perhaps in the entire series.

Most likely, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol will tap Baker for an at-bat at a juncture in the late innings that can flip the momentum of the game in the Cardinals favor, if not win a game.

That was the case for Bakers game-tying pinch-hit home run against the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug.

21 at Busch Stadium , Bakers first at-bat in the majors this season.

Last week, Baker delivered a game-winning pinch-hit RBI single in the 10th inning on the road against the Brewers.

Honestly, I just make sure I know what I think that guys plan is and what my plan is against him and make sure my body is ready, Baker said of getting ready to take at-bats in those key moments.

I just let the preparation Ive done beforehand be that, and I prepare physically and go out there and try and do a job.

A designated hitter/first baseman, Baker came into this past weekends series against the Seattle Mariners having driven in a run in six consecutive games.

That matched Cardinals legend Albert Pujols (in 2001) for the longest streak of games with an RBI within his first 45 games in the majors.

Baker, 27, said hes used his experience last season in the majors and his struggles at the plate as a reminder that trying to do too much is a recipe for failure.

The harder I try doesnt mean the better Ill do, Baker said.

The more I try to really force something, usually, I get out of what Im actually trying to do.

Last season, Baker turned in a tremendously productive offensive season in the minors that included a .334 batting average to go along with 33 home runs in just 84 games, the International League MVP award , first-team All-Minor League Baseball honors and a Baseball America Minor League All-Star selection.

Baker also led all players in the minors last season in slugging percentage (.720) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.159).

However, he scuffled at the plate in his first taste of the major leagues last season when called up from Triple-A Memphis.

He batted .209 with two home runs, a .313 on-base percentage and a .314 slugging percentage in his first 33 MLB games.

This season, Baker set the Memphis Redbirds all-time franchise record for home runs last month.

A minor league franchise home run record indicates a level of consistent production; it also often indicates an extended period in the minors because the player hasnt been able to force his way onto the major league roster.

The Cardinals first base job has been locked up by former National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt throughout most of Bakers tenure in the organization.

Though Baker set the Memphis record in 803 fewer plate appearances than the previous record holder, Nick Stavinoha (both Baker and Stavinoha are natives of Houston, Texas).

Since returning to the majors on Aug.

20, Baker has adapted to his role as a right-handed bat off the bench.

While he has batted .200 in limited at-bats (29 plate appearances in 12 games), he also has posted a .379 on-base percentage and a .550 slugging percentage in his brief time with the club this season.

His plate discipline and patience allows him to do it well, Marmol said.

I think he has settled in and not trying to impress do so much with every at-bat but just take his regular at-bat.

I think thats been the difference this time around.

Hes done a really nice job of swinging at strikes and not leaving the zone.

He seems comfortable, which is a good thing.

Its a hard thing to do, come off the bench when its something that youve never done before, but I feel like hes settling into that role well.

Playing time has certainly been different for Baker in the majors compared with his time in the minors.

This season with Memphis, Baker had four multi-homer games.

So far in Bakers first 12 games with the Cardinals club this season, five have included only one plate appearance.

Bakers preparation as an everyday player has heavily influenced how he gets himself ready now to contribute off the bench.

You have the same information everywhere that you can get access to and, at this point, everyones stats and numbers and all that stuff are everywhere, Baker said.

Ive found a routine that works well for me and looking at what I need to look at, and Ive just been able to keep that here.

He builds in time to his daily schedule to review the pitchers, but his process isnt very time-consuming.

The primary difference for Baker in the majors has been that he focuses much more on the relief pitchers in an opposing clubs bullpen.

While teams like the Cardinals have invested in high-tech pitching machines like the Trajekt , which mimics the angles, release points, spin and shape of pitches for specific pitchers, Baker hasnt leaned on that particular piece of technology.

I honestly havent used it a whole lot, Baker said of the Trajekt.

I used it a couple times in spring training.

Its mainly just the data I have on the pitchers.

I watch a little bit of video, but I have a pretty good feel of what all the numbers mean all the verticals and horizontals and release heights and all that stuff.

There are a couple numbers that I like to look at that I feel like make a difference, and I just go really based off that.

Baker said it is not a matter of finding hitters with a similar profile to him and breaking down exactly how an opposing pitcher has attacked those batters.

Instead, Baker uses his experience to translate the pitch data into an image of what a pitchers stuff will look like in the box.

Then it comes down to understanding what the pitcher throws, how often he throws it and knowing the game situation whether the pitcher might hunt for a strikeout or a double play.

Baker doesnt manipulate his pregame work to prepare for any specific pitcher or pitch.

He has found success simplifying his approach along the way in the minors, and hes attempting to keep things simple this time around in the big leagues.

I have the feels I want to feel with my swing that I try to feel every day and build off that, Baker said..

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