2017 Baseball Recruits
- Thread starter rascal2203
- Start date
Purp
Active Member
Luken was no Landestoy at 1B, but he was not terrible. LB was a better 1B than Wanny by a wide margin. I'd also say LB was a better 1B than Wanny would be in L/RF. I'd also say that LB needs to master a position to maximize his draft potential and that will be a consideration too.
wes
KIllerfrog Emeritus
Other than DH, I am not sure. I'll just be nice and say that his time in the OF wasn't as productive as one might hope.
He is serviceable at 1B and did make a few nice plays during the CWS but he is no glove master at that position.
wes
KIllerfrog Emeritus
A prominent member of our coaching staff told me that Luken projects as a 1B at the next level. He certainly has pitching skills but there are a ton of guys who throw in the low 90's and his best chance to distinguish himself comes at the plate.
That same coach told me that Luken would still pitch at certain times this past season and that didn't happen
Gary's Shirtless Revenge
Full Member
Luken has a right elbow injury, had it before the season started, which is part of the reason why he didn't pitch. I am not sure if he is going to get it fixed, but as I understand it he will need to in order to pitch again.
He is our everyday 1B next year, at least 75% of the time.
He is our everyday 1B next year, at least 75% of the time.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
Luken is a 1B because he HAS to be. There isn't one other position he could realistically play. DH is the only other option. IMO the injury is a blessing in disguise if he chooses to use the time away from playing properly. I would be getting up early every day and doing as much as I'm physically able to to get my body leaner/looser/more athletic while maintaining strength and following that up with ground balls at 1B until I can't stand up anymore.
And the info above about him pitching is accurate. That ship has sailed.
And the info above about him pitching is accurate. That ship has sailed.
Punter1
Full Member
You don't think he could be an outfielder?? Baker reminds me a lot of Adam Dunn and now Aaron Judge. All are 6-5, 250 lb+ outfielders with cannon arms. I would think it would be easier to make a Rf/LF outta him then a 1B and I gotta think Baker is athlete enough to run around and catch fly balls.
Ron Swanson
Full Member
I think he's definitely a 1B
Moose Stuff
Active Member
I wouldn't make any comparisons between the athleticism of Aaron Judge and Luken Baker. I think he'd be an awful outfielder. That's just me .
Punter1
Full Member
I would never compare Judge's athleticism to almost anybody's, even in the majors...as a former college basketball player he's on a whole different level. I'm was comparing the size between the 3...meaning there is obvious precedent for tall, big outfielders. I've said on here before I think he is Adam Dunn 2.0...and I bet he played 2,000 games as an MLB OFer. i'd at least stick Baker in the OF in the fall to see if he's decent there.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
Just trying to be realistic, I'd be shocked if he was even close to an average defender. I'm sure he could catch a fly ball hit in his general vicinity but I suspect the range and agility would be tragic. Add to that the possibility that he might have trouble making the required throws and I just don't see how that works. Again, just my opinion.
Gary's Shirtless Revenge
Full Member
If we had the tracker data we have today on outfielder routes, speed, etc back in Dunn's day, he wouldn't have seen more than a random appearance in the OF. First or DH only.
Westsider
Full Member
As it stands today, I'm not confident in Baker at 1st. Can he play it? Sure, but he's not a fluid player yet by any means, and without summer ball at the position it'll take a lot of a hell of a lot of work, as mentioned above, to change that. That's just my take on it. Hope it happens.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
Every one of these kids falls into the "we really won't know until they get here and start competing at the college level" category. IMO there was only one lock to come in here next year and make a big immediate impact and that was Tyler Feeeman.
jake102
Active Member
Out of curiosity, why did the pitching ship sail? Was it 100% related to focusing on one thing (hitting)?
Yeh... really thought based on what we heard that Ingrahim would play a ton this year. Didn't happen
Yeh... really thought based on what we heard that Ingrahim would play a ton this year. Didn't happen
Ron Swanson
Full Member
I didn't have an issue with Baker at 1B. He likely won't win any gold gloves in the big leagues, but I never felt like we were hurting defensively with him out there.
RollToad
Baylor is Trash.
No worse than CW.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
Luken used to pitch, he got hurt, he doesn't pitch anymore....... I'm putting 2 and 2 together and drawing my own conclusion on that one.
Moose Stuff
Active Member
Honestly have no idea what he's capable of. Would have to ask the staff. I would assume that the entire infield will almost be an open tryout for every infielder on the roster next fall and wouldn't shock me if that carries over some into the spring.
