Luken Baker Bio
Luken Grosvenor Baker (born March 10, 1997) is an American professional baseball first baseman who most recently played in Major League Baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. The Conroe, Texas native was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft and reached the majors in June 2023. Baker has built a reputation as a power hitter throughout his minor league career, earning recognition as the 2023 International League Most Valuable Player Award winner.
Early Life and Background
Luken Grosvenor Baker grew up in Conroe, Texas, where he attended Oak Ridge High School. During his high school years, he developed into one of the top amateur baseball players in the country. In July 2014, Baker achieved national recognition when he won the Junior Home Run Derby at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. He later added another prestigious derby victory by winning the Home Run Derby at the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, further establishing his power-hitting credentials.
As a senior at Oak Ridge High School, Baker was named the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year, recognizing him as the top high school baseball player in Texas. His impressive performances made him a highly sought-after prospect heading into the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.
Path to Professional Baseball
Despite being projected as an early-round selection in the 2015 MLB Draft, Baker informed major league teams that he would not sign and would instead attend Texas Christian University to play college baseball for the TCU Horned Frogs. The Houston Astros still selected him in the 37th round, but Baker honored his commitment to TCU and did not sign.
At TCU, Baker immediately made an impact as a freshman in 2016. He started all 67 games for the Horned Frogs and earned Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year honors while batting .379 with 11 home runs and 62 runs batted in. His sophomore season in 2017 was cut short by injury, as he suffered a left arm injury during a collision at first base that ended his campaign after just 47 games. Despite the limited action, he still managed to hit .317 with eight home runs and 41 RBI, earning All-Big 12 Second Team recognition.
Baker returned for his junior season in 2018 looking to build on his promising start, but tragedy struck again when he fractured his left fibula and tore a ligament during a slide in his 31st game. The injury required season-ending surgery, further complicating his path to professional baseball.
Luken Baker Career
Minor League Development (2018–2023)
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Baker in the second round with the 75th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft and signed him for $800,000. He began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Cardinals and made an immediate impression, batting .500 in eight games before being promoted to the Peoria Chiefs. With Peoria, Baker hit .288 with three home runs and 15 RBI across 37 games to finish his debut professional season.
Baker advanced to the Palm Beach Cardinals for the 2019 season, where he continued to develop his power stroke. He earned Florida State League Player of the Month honors in August after hitting .346 with four home runs and a 1.067 OPS. He finished the year slashing .244/.327/.390 with ten home runs and 53 RBI over 122 games. The 2020 season was lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancellation of the minor league season.
He began the 2021 season with the Springfield Cardinals and had another strong campaign, slashing .248/.322/.530 with 26 home runs and 68 RBI over 91 games. His performance earned a late-season promotion to the Memphis Redbirds of Triple-A, where he appeared in two games to end the year. Baker returned to Memphis for the 2022 season and posted .228/.289/.394 with 21 home runs and 66 RBI in 124 games. His breakthrough came in 2023 with Memphis, as he batted .313/.434/.641 with 18 home runs and 53 RBI in just 54 games before his major league call-up.
St. Louis Cardinals and MLB Debut (2023–2025)
On June 4, 2023, Baker was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the majors for the first time. He debuted as the designated hitter batting seventh against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Baker recorded his first MLB hit in his first career at-bat, a notable achievement for any player. He finished his rookie campaign with a .209 batting average, two home runs, and ten RBI across 33 games.
After the 2023 season concluded, Baker received significant recognition when he won the International League Most Valuable Player Award, honoring his outstanding Triple-A performance that season. In 2024, he spent most of the year with Memphis, hitting .231 with 32 home runs and 79 RBI in 109 minor league games while also appearing in 21 games with the Cardinals, where he batted .175 with two home runs and ten RBI.
The 2025 season saw Baker split time between Memphis and St. Louis. He played 62 games for Memphis with a .235 average and 19 games with the Cardinals where he hit .196. On August 4, 2025, he was claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers and assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets. After being designated for assignment, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Oklahoma City, where he batted .273 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 33 games. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2025.
Arizona Diamondbacks (2026)
On December 26, 2025, Baker signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He began the regular season with the Reno Aces, Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate, and earned a promotion to the major leagues on April 7, 2026. He appeared in three games for the Diamondbacks, going 1-for-5 at the plate. On April 18, 2026, Baker was designated for assignment following Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s return from the injured list. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Reno on April 20, subsequently electing free agency. He re-signed with Arizona on a minor league contract the same day.
Driving Style and Strengths
Baker has established himself as a power hitter throughout his professional career, consistently demonstrating the ability to hit for extra bases and drive in runs. His approach at the plate has evolved through his minor league tenure, showing improved plate discipline and pitch recognition. His experience at first base provides defensive versatility, while his power potential from the left side of the plate remains his most significant offensive tool.
Notable Events and Milestones
Baker’s career has been highlighted by several notable achievements, including his International League MVP Award in 2023, his MLB debut with his first career hit coming in his first at-bat, and his impressive minor league campaigns with Memphis where he consistently posted strong power numbers. His amateur career was distinguished by winning both the Junior Home Run Derby at Target Field and the Under Armour All-America Game Home Run Derby.
Luken Baker Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Baker has accumulated impressive statistics across multiple minor league levels. His most decorated season came in 2023 with the Memphis Redbirds, where his outstanding performance earned him the International League MVP Award and led to his MLB debut. His power-hitting ability has translated across levels, with consistent home run totals throughout his minor league career.
International League Highlights
Baker’s 2023 season with Memphis stands as his career highlight, as he earned International League Most Valuable Player honors. In 54 games before his promotion, he batted .313 with an extraordinary .434 on-base percentage and .641 slugging percentage, along with 18 home runs and 53 RBI. His 2022 season with Memphis also featured 21 home runs and 66 RBI across 124 games, demonstrating his sustained power production at Triple-A.
Other Minor League Achievements
Baker has shown consistent power throughout his minor league career. His 2024 season with Memphis included 32 home runs and 79 RBI in 109 games. He hit ten home runs with 53 RBI in 122 games for Palm Beach in 2019 and 26 home runs with 68 RBI in 91 games for Springfield in 2021.
Luken Baker Family
Personal Life
Baker grew up in Conroe, Texas, where he attended Oak Ridge High School alongside fellow professional pitcher Durbin Feltman. His baseball pedigree was evident from an early age, winning multiple national home run derbies during his amateur career. Beyond baseball, Baker has maintained a private personal life with limited public information available regarding his family, relationships, or off-field interests.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Luken Baker. He split the season between Triple-A Memphis and the major leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals, appearing in 62 games with Memphis where he hit .235 and 19 games in St. Louis where he posted a .196 average. His season took a significant turn in August when the Los Angeles Dodgers claimed him off waivers, sending him to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Baker responded positively to the change of scenery, batting .273 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 33 games with Oklahoma City. The strong finish with the Dodgers organization demonstrated his ability to make adjustments and produce when given regular playing time. He entered the offseason as a free agent before signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks in late December 2025.