Who Is Dru Baker? Inside the Viral Rise of Baseball’s Breakout Star

The Chicago White Sox have added outfield depth for the 2025 season, acquiring 25-year-old prospect Dru Baker from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for veteran catcher Matt Thaiss. Baker, a fourth-round pick out of Texas Tech in the 2021 MLB Draft, brings plus athleticism, top-of-the-order speed and defensive versatility to the South Side organization. Split between Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham last year, the right-handed hitter slashed .278/.354/.413 with 28 stolen bases, showcasing the disruptive baserunning that first caught Tampa Bay’s eye on draft day. Early in 2025 Baker was limited by a minor hamstring strain but has still posted a .245/.344/.302 line across 17 games for Durham, walking nearly 12 percent of the time while striking out at just a 17 percent clip. Scouts note that his compact swing and all-fields approach project well to Chicago’s spacious outfield corners. The White Sox plan to option Baker to Triple-A Charlotte, where he will join fellow prospects Colson Montgomery and Bryan Ramos. If his contact skills translate, Baker could see Guaranteed Rate Field by midsummer, especially with Chicago’s corner-outfield mix still unsettled. For Tampa Bay, the deal clears a 40-man roster spot and nets a controllable backstop in Thaiss, who owns a career .701 OPS and grades as an above-average framer. The Rays’ catching depth was thinned by René Pinto’s recent wrist injury, making Thaiss a timely fit. Baker’s arrival also signals a philosophical shift for Chicago’s rebuild: targeting near-MLB-ready position players with on-base ability. His blend of speed, patience and defense aligns with new president Chris Getz’s mandate to create a more athletic roster. Key numbers to know • 28 SB in 2024 (Double-A/Triple-A combined) • 112 wRC+ versus right-handed pitching last season • 34.7 ft/sec sprint speed (90th percentile among Triple-A outfielders) Fantasy baseball impact Deep-league managers should flag Baker as a speculative steals source; his path to playing time hinges on Gavin Sheets’ production and Dominic Fletcher’s health. In AL-only formats, stash him now before a potential July call-up. Bottom line By flipping surplus catching depth for an upside outfielder, the White Sox continue reshaping their roster while the Rays reinforce a position of need. If Dru Baker’s on-base skills hold at the next level, Chicago may have quietly secured a future top-of-the-lineup spark plug.