By Jay Kitchen

The year has been up and down for the Inland Empire 66ers so far in the competitive Cal League with 2010 proving to be a challenge for all.

In the past, the team has been one of the more competitive teams in the league, being successful on and off the field with the backing of their father team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, but so far manager Don Carter has had a mixed bag of players in 2010. The usual bit in minor league baseball has the standout players moving up in the ranks, others getting released or some just staying put, delaying the dreams of players who may never even come close to the ultimate goal--Major League Baseball.

However, at least one thing has been constant for the 66ers for the past two seasons: the quality play of Pedro Baez.

After finishing far behind champions Lake Elsinore in the first half of the California League South Division season, the start of the second season has the Inland Empire only three games out of first place come mid-week.

The only way that the 66ers can qualify for the post-season, usually a spot where the team has been quite familiar since they moved into the Arrowhead Credit Stadium a decade ago, is to come back and win the South Division in the second part of the season, a feat that will likely have to have Baez continue with his big numbers.

Combining the spilt season for Inland Empire, IE stands at an even 40-60 overall, not the usual numbers for the team that is usually in the post season mix early on.

Not really known as a power hitting team, even with the likes of Manny Ramirez making his two stops in San Bernardino the past two years, they have been hitting at a modest .274 batting average.

But the pitching staff has managed to muster up a 4.65 ERA as a whole, also not the norm in San Bernardino. The Inland Empire does not have a Top 10 pitcher in the Cal League pitcher list, though pitcher Ethan Martin has nine wins so far to lead the charge.

It is hard to gauge minor league baseball. Top players can be gone with one phone call, either earning a promotion with their play, or departing to a different affiliate due to an injury to another team in the system. If Baez is to get that call, he, like others, will want to jump on it. To many it may be their only chance to get to the Show. If they call me, I will come – ASAP.

At 6’2, 195 lbs. he is a good size for a third baseman, a position that requires power and strength. The Dominican Republic native has played in 46 games for the IE this season, getting in 185 bats along the way.

Earning 28 RBI’s so far, he is productive for a team that plays in a pitcher-friendly ballpark. But the downside is that Baez likes to swing away too much at times. He has 42 strikeouts this year. Though he is young at 22, he has already been with the Dodgers organization for three years. His talent needs to kick in gear fairly soon if he wants to some day wear the Dodger Blue in the future. The Dodgers are famous for finding, maturing and making their own players move up in the ranks, and finally playing in MLB. Baez was recognized by the Dodgers as a teenager.

Manager Jeff Carter, in his first year as 66er manager, added in a prior interview that he liked Baez’s “power” at the plate.

Baez did have an injury this year that cut down his numbers a little, but now fit, he has lots of games left to hopefully finally make the jump.

Spending some time with friends and fans before a game against rival Rancho Cucamonga, Baez was kidding around with anyone who was near, being comfortable speaking in Spanish when autograph requests came as well as questions about his career and season so far.

“I want to get better, and help the team,” answered Baez before going back to horseplay.

Speaking more in his native language, a popular way of communication in the 66er dugout, Baez seemed to be in a festive mood. Just before game time, Baez again spoke of his career and family.

“I am having a good time here; I want to continue to play.”

And when asked if he wanted to move up the ranks, the answer was obvious:

“Yes.”

A good portion of the players in the IE dugout will not make the big show. But Baez has the right attitude and with some luck and talent, he might just some day take that joking around right into the Dodger dugout.