SAN ANGELO, Texas — Former Angelo State University pitcher Trent Baker will continue to live out his dream after being selected in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Baker is the all-time winningest pitcher in Rams history and became the second-highest drafted player in program history as the Cardinals selected him with the 271st overall pick.
"Throughout that entire time, I took some time off by spending it with my family," Baker said. "Leading up to my draft hearing, I was excited and up to that day, I was really nervous because I didn't know what team it was going to be and what was going to happen. After I got drafted it felt like I got some weight off my shoulders."
This past season, Baker was named the Lone Star Conference pitcher of the year and the South-Central Region pitcher of the year. He finished the season with a 2.11 ERA and a 13-1 overall record. Rams head coach Kevin Brooks said the program will truly miss him and they wish him nothing but the best.
"We couldn't be more excited," Brooks said. "Trent came in as a freshman and wasn't highly touted. Instead, he put in the work and got better every year. What he accomplished is pretty much every kid's dream who wants to pursue a professional baseball career."
Baker said he's currently at the Cardinals' offseason training facility in Jupiter, Florida. He'll continue working on his pitching skills and ease his way back into baseball shape.
"For now, I'll probably be here for a month and a half until the Minor League season ends," Baker said. "I might not get assigned to a team until next season, but in the meantime I'll continue getting back in shape and take it one day at a time."
Baker left ASU with 299 career strikeouts, which set a new program and conference record.