The Oak Ridge product snagged Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors last May after helping TCU return to the College World Series, but he also injured his throwing arm, prompting a position change this season. […] he sent an email to all 30 MLB clubs informing them of his intention to play at TCU. The Astros went ahead and selected Baker in the 37th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, then called him to wish him well in college – where he arrived on campus with sky-scraping expectations. In addition to the runs scored and batted in, he hit 11 home runs last year – seven in the run to the CWS. Baker strained a muscle in his right arm on April 22, 2016, at Oklahoma State – he hasn’t pitched since then – and the potential for injury is a key factor in the risk-reward analysis of pro vs. college. “When you hit .600 down the stretch, and you hit seven home runs over the course of a four-week period (in the postseason), you quickly figure out you’re more than just a pitcher,” Schlossnagle said. Baker boasts a .989 fielding percentage – the highest among TCU’s starters – with only two errors in 39 games. The newly minted first baseman is hitting .308 with 33 RBIs and seven homers, helping the nationally ranked Horned Frogs compile a 30-9 record heading into this week’s series with Texas Tech. Since I’ve been doing that, things have been going a lot better.
Source: Oak Ridge’s Luken Baker experiences success, changes at TCU – San Antonio Express-News