by Steve M.
The Bakers are ‘rolling’ out their new rotation and the theme is “kiddie corps’. The senior of the group is 22 years old Caleb Cooper with one year of pro ball under his belt. Caleb was a free agent signing in 1901 and is considered a true ‘dirt dog’. One of the more endearing players in the heart of GM Julien Henri he is best described as “a guy who will give you his heart and soul and then think he didn’t offer enough”. “He’s what makes us go”, said Henri after Cooper went the distance shutting out the Clippers on three hits. “The only thing that can hold him back is his control. Something he’s going to have to figure out if he wants to max out his success.” David Kimberly the second senior most SP in the rotation is on a roll. He has not allowed an earned run in his last two starts covering 18 innings where he notched a pair of W’s. Said Henri, “He is more of a guy in the background. Not a leader, but not a follower, either. His makeup is show up, leave everything on the field, and always honor the Baker uniform. Walks are an issue right now with David, but we think we’ve discovered some adjustments that will help David down the road.” Kimberly has a 3 and 4 record with all 3 wins in his last 4 starts. The Bakers welcome 21-year-old Pete Hyatt to the rotation this week. Hyatt takes the vacated spot of Charles Stewkly who was traded to Cleveland on May 22nd. Hyatt is set to pitch on the 23rd. “We think we have a gem in Pete”, said Henri. “Three pitches in his arsenal, fastball, cutter, and splitter. His ball moves all over the place. Let me put it this way, a lot of worms are silenced whenever Hyatt takes the hill. He’s got that much stuff and movement.” So, the “Kiddie Corps” will form the nucleus of the young staff knowing Robert Batkin and William Sneath will be joining the team in the near future, Sneath the 21-year-old first. “But it’s Batkin that we can’t wait to see”, said Henri. “He is going to be something special”.