Baker continues success at plate.

Byline: STEVE MIMS The Register-Guard

A solid senior season at Liberty University has carried over into a good start to Steve Baker's professional baseball career.

While much of Eugene's lineup has struggled offensively at the start of the season, Baker has been the exception. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound outfielder is second on the team with a .283 batting average, and is tied for the team lead with three home runs and 11 RBIs.

Those numbers project over a full season to be similar to the statistics he compiled in the spring at Liberty. Baker hit .333 with 12 homers and 49 RBIs with the Flames.

"Toward the end of the college season I hit the ball well, and things came together in the second half of the year," Baker said. "I think that has helped me along with the excitement of my first professional at-bats."

Those first professional at-bats were memorable, as Baker had a hit in each of Eugene's first eight games.

"I think the guys that come right out of college, if they have been successful, they don't expect to be anything but successful," Eugene manager Jeff Gardner said. "It's like they think, `I'm good, and I'll keep being good.' Steve expects to do well and he is off to a good start."

Baker had only a week off following his college season before he was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 29th round. From there, he was off to minicamp in Arizona before being assigned to Eugene.

"In the two years I have done this, the minicamp helps the players a lot," Gardner said. "It gives them a chance to get their feet wet before this all starts."

Liberty University, located in Lynchburg, Va., is probably best known for its founder, Jerry Falwell. However, it is also becoming known as a destination for pro baseball scouts after Baker and four of his teammates were picked in this year's draft.

Baker was the last of those selected, as he had to wait until the second day of the draft before hearing his name called.

"I thought I'd go on the first day, but then it came and went," said Baker, a four-year starter who played in 223 games at Liberty. "I'm just happy to get an opportunity and I can't ask for anything more. I just want a shot to play, and I got that."

Baker has shown the ability to hit for power and average.

"My approach each time I am at the plate is to be consistent and get a good swing on the ball," Baker said. "Fortunately, I've been able to get some good hacks and drive a couple out of the park."

Gardner, who played four years in the major leagues and worked as a scout for five more years, has been impressed with what he has seen during the last month from Baker.

"I think that physically, Steve has shown that he hits the ball like a big leaguer," Gardner said. "The ball jumps off his bat. I think there are some mechanical things he has to work on like everyone else, but I'm impressed with him."

Baker, a 22-year-old from Rome, N.Y., is making his first extended visit to the West Coast. With bus rides to Boise and Vancouver early in the season, he has already seen plenty of the Pacific Northwest.

Baker followed the footsteps of his brother, Jason, who also played at Liberty before playing professionally in the Los Angeles and Montreal organizations.

"My brother gave me a lot of knowledge about what would happen here," Baker said. "It's been like he said. This is a long season and there is a lot of baseball to play, but I look forward to that."

Jason Baker was an outfielder who was eventually turned into a relief pitcher. His younger brother doesn't want to follow those footsteps.

"No, I hope I can keep swinging it and stay in the outfield," Steve Baker said.

The Baker family might have a few more baseball prospects down the line.

"There's two more younger brothers who both swing the stick well, so we'll see what happens," Baker said.

CAPTION(S):

THOMAS BOYD / The Register-Guard Eugene's Steve Baker has three home runs and 11 RBIs for the Emeralds this season. INSIDE West Division leader Vancouver scores three in the seventh to pull away from the Ems/ 2E WEDNESDAY Vancouver 9, Eugene 3 TODAY Spokane at Eugene 6:35 p.m. `I'm just happy to get an opportunity and I can't ask for anything more.' STEVE BAKER Ems outfielder