Cardinals Rising Slugger Leads Minor Leagues In Home Runs

The St. Louis Cardinals have an elite power hitter in the organization, who has taken a commanding lead for the minor league home run title.

Despite his incredible offensive production this season, St. Louis appears quite hesitant to find a role with him on the big-league club.

First baseman Luken Baker is hitting .337 with 52 extra-base hits including 31 home runs, 89 RBIs and a 1.162 OPS in 80 games for Triple-A Memphis in a major breakout season.

His 31 bombs give Baker a four-homer lead over Boston Red Sox minor leaguer Bobby Dalbec, who has settled in with 27. Baker is the top home run hitter over 1221 minor leaguers, and he's doing it just one level below the big leagues.

The 26-year-old has only been called up once this season. He appeared in just seven games and went 5-for-19 (.263) before being sent down. The reigning National League MVP, Paul Goldschmidt, currently mans his position and Nolan Gorman/Jordan Walker have logged a lot of time in the designated hitter role, leaving little room for Baker. That said, it's time to give the kid a shot, as he's playing at an elite level just one step down from the big leagues.

The biggest issue Baker has is the defensive deficiencies of both Gorman and Walker.

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