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.

	Eugene's Steve Baker has three home runs and 11 RBIs for the Emeralds this season. Photo: THOMAS BOYD / The Register-Guard

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.

Slated to be the starting right fielder ... has great power, speed and athleticism … outstanding defensively … strong arm … showed ability to be more consistent with contact in fall season.

2001 (Jr.): Started 51 of the 55 games he played … led the team with 11 home runs and was tied for second with 14 doubles … batted .299 for the season … named second team All-Big South … went 2-for-2 with three RBI, 2-for-3 and 3-for-4 with an RBI in season-opening series sweep over Iona (2/17-19) … 3-for-4 with an RBI at Virginia (3/1) … 2-for-4 with a double against Brown (3/26) … 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI versus Winthrop (3/31) ... 2-for-3 with three RBI at Elon (4/7) … 2-for-4 with three RBI at George Mason (4/18) … 3-for-4 with three RBI versus Charleston Southern (4/21) … 2-for-3 at Richmond (4/25) … 2-for-5 with an RBI against UNC Asheville (4/28) … 3-for-5 with an RBI at Old Dominion (5/4) … 5-for-13 with a grand slam and eight RBI in series versus High Point (5/11-12).

2000 (So.): Started 59 games in right field for the Flames … fourth on the team with a .308 batting average and 36 runs scored … led the team and ranked third in the Big South Conference with 18 doubles … seventh on the squad with four home runs … third on the team with 101 total bases … was one of seven players to post double digits in stolen bases with 15 on the season … 2-for-4 with two RBI and a double against UMBC (2/26) … 2-for-5 with four RBI, a double and a home run against James Madison (3/1) … 2-for-4 with two RBI, a double and a triple at Winthrop (3/5) … 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI double at Auburn (3/14) … 2-for-4 with a double at 24th-ranked Georgia Tech (3/15) … 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a home run at Virginia Tech (3/28) … 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI against Radford (4/7) … was a combined 4-for-11 with five runs scored and three RBI in the Flames' three-game sweep over Coastal Carolina 3/6-7) … 1-for-3 with two RBI and a triple in Liberty's 6-4 upset victory over Clemson (5/11) … 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk against Seton Hall in the NCAA Regionals (5/27).

1999 (Fr.): Played in 52 games and started 49 in right field ... batted around .300 most of the year until falling off at the end of the year ... 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and three RBI against Clemson (3/6) ... 1-for-1 with a game-winning grand-slam against Winthrop (4/3) ... 3-for-3 with three runs a triple and an RBI against UNC Greensboro (4/6) ... 3-for-3 with two runs scored against Elon (4/16) ... 2-for-5 with a home run against Virginia Tech (4/20) ... 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a triple against Charleston Southern (4/23) ... dean's list.

Prep: Drafted in the 15th round of the Major League baseball draft by the Montreal Expos ... four-year letterman at Rome Free Academy … used in right field and as a pitcher … helped his team win the Section III championship as a junior … first-team all-star … Central New York Player of the Year … All-American Honorable-Mention … treasurer of the student association.

Personal: Native of Rome, N.Y. … son of Gordon and Ruth Baker … majoring in business management ... brother of former Flame baseball standout Jason Baker.

Born: April 20, 1980.