Class AA pitcher raises his status

After watching righthander Scott Baker dominate hitters, the Twins had no choice but to move him up to Class AAA Rochester.

Baker set a Class AA New Britain record July 16 with 14 strikeouts against Binghamton, considered the best-hitting team in the Eastern League. That was a clear signal that he was ready for a step up. Rochester also needed a fifth starter after a brief experiment with Adam Johnson failed.

Baker, a second-round pick in the 2003 draft, is the top starting pitching prospect in the system, having passed righthander J.D. Durbin, who's shaking off the effects of shoulder surgery at New Britain.

Baker's Rochester debut last week wasn't pretty -- six runs in five innings -- but Twins officials say they don't feel they made a hasty decision.

"He threw strikes. The quality of strikes just wasn't good," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues. "He threw the ball well and did not back down. He does a lot of things with that velocity. He can change speeds, he can cut it, he can make it dart."

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire suggested recently that he could ask for Baker to help solidify the rotation. If that doesn't happen in August, it should in September, when rosters expand. Baker also is a near lock to be sent to the Arizona Fall League after the season.

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