Dusty Baker's Son Darren Signs Minor League Deal with White Sox

The younger Baker was famous for 2002 Giants World Series incident as a batboy.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Darren Baker, the son of legendary MLB manager Dusty Baker, has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox. The 27-year-old second baseman previously played in the Washington Nationals' system and is likely to open the 2026 season at Triple-A Charlotte.

Why it matters

Darren Baker's signing with the White Sox continues his baseball journey, which was marked by a famous incident as a young batboy during the 2002 World Series when his father Dusty was managing the San Francisco Giants. The younger Baker's path to the majors has been closely watched given his family's baseball pedigree.

The details

Darren Baker, who has nine games of MLB experience with the Nationals, recorded seven hits in 14 plate appearances in 2024. Last season at Triple-A, he stole 26 bases in 32 attempts over 107 games. The White Sox are expected to assign Baker to their Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte to start the 2026 season.

  • Darren Baker served as a batboy for the San Francisco Giants in the 2002 World Series against the Anaheim Angels.
  • In Game 5 of the 2002 World Series, Giants first baseman J.T. Snow had to run out onto the field to grab the young Baker from harm's way while he retrieved a bat.
  • Dusty Baker will manage Team Nicaragua at the 2026 World Baseball Classic after retiring from MLB as a manager following the 2023 season with the Houston Astros.

The players

Darren Baker

The 27-year-old second baseman, who is the son of legendary MLB manager Dusty Baker, has signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox.

Dusty Baker

Darren Baker's father, who is a future Hall of Fame MLB manager and will manage Team Nicaragua at the 2026 World Baseball Classic after retiring following the 2023 season with the Houston Astros.

J.T. Snow

The Giants first baseman who had to run out onto the field to grab the young Darren Baker from harm's way while he retrieved a bat during the 2002 World Series.

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What they’re saying

“Darren Baker, the son of future Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker, is working out on the back fields of the Chicago White Sox. He officially signed a minor league contract after being with the Washington Nationals and likely will open the season at Triple-A Charlotte.”

— Bob Nightengale, USA Today reporter (USA Today)

What’s next

Darren Baker is expected to open the 2026 season with the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte as he continues his journey to the major leagues.

The takeaway

Darren Baker's signing with the White Sox organization continues his family's baseball legacy, as he looks to make his own mark in the majors after the famous incident as a young batboy during the 2002 World Series when his father Dusty was managing the Giants.