Derek Baker brings early strikeout punch to William & Mary’s bullpen
In 2026, the freshman right-hander made nine appearances and one start for William & Mary, striking out nine in 8.2 innings, including two shutout frames with two punchouts against Campbell. His early profile suggests a usable relief arm with bat-missing ability and enough versatility to work in short bursts or spot-start roles. The key fit question is consistency: the sample is small, but the strikeout rate and ability to hold runs down in relief make him an intriguing developmental piece for a staff that values competitive innings and upside.
