Sept. 6, 2010
Former Commodore Mike Baxter has been promoted to the Major Leagues and will join San Diego for their three-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Monday night at PETCO Park.
The first baseman-outfielder will be the fifth Commodore to make the big leagues this year, joining Pedro Alvarez (Pittsburgh), Jensen Lewis (Cleveland), Mike Minor (Atlanta), and David Price (Tampa).
“Mike is so deserving of this opportunity,” Vanderbilt baseball head coach Tim Corbin said. “When he called, I emailed the coaches and players and got an immediate emotional response from everyone. He is so well liked and respected by all.
“He finished his degree last fall while helping us in the office and working on the field daily for no pay. Who does that? Completely ego-less, that’s Mike Baxter. He’s an unbelievable kid. I hope he stays there for a long time.”
Baxter, who was drafted by the Padres in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, hit .301 for Triple-A Portland this season with a career-high 18 homers and 72 RBIs in 136 games. He also contributed 30 doubles, 10 triples, 89 runs, and 22 stolen bases.
“He’s been pretty consistent all year,” Padres manager Bud Black told MLB.com. “He’s got an all-around game. He hits with some power and steals some bases.”
San Diego could use a spark down the stretch after losing 10 straight games dating back to August 26. The Padres still hold a one-game lead over San Francisco for first place in the National League West with 27 games remaining in the season.
In his final year at Vanderbilt in 2005, Baxter was named the team’s most valuable player after leading the Commodores in eight statistical categories including a .377 batting average, while topping the Southeastern Conference in stolen bases.
(Photo Credit: Gary Sheldon/Portland Beavers)
