It is his first season of professional baseball and there is a lot to learn, he says. At 24, Baca is the second-youngest player on the Bees roster behind only Anthony Marzi, who already is in his third season.

“It’s wild,” Baca said. “I came here and before, I was the older guy around a bunch of sophomores and freshmen, and then I show up and playing with guys that are in their 30s and 40s, walking around trying to avoid saying yes sir.

“I just have to understand that I’m one of the boys, but at the same time know that it’s a privilege. I’ve learned so many things from guys talking to each other, guys helping me out. They have so much experience from the game and all I can do is learn from them. It’s great. It’s fun.”

It has been an unconventional journey for Baca on his way to New Britain. He spent time at three different colleges, making stops at New Mexico State and Cisco Junior College in Texas before finishing out his senior season at Tabor College in Kansas. Despite hitting .342 with six home runs in 65 games with Tabor, he did not generate any interest during the draft or immediately after from major league organizations.

So, upon some advice, he went out to the Arizona Winter League to try and generate some. His play soon caught the attention of Bees manager Stan Cliburn.

“I had a scout tell me you need to go play in the winter league to hopefully get signed by somebody and Stan happened to be the manager of the team [I played for],” Baca said. “I had a really good winter and was the MVP of the league. Stan watched me play every day and I got the opportunity to come out here with him.”

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