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Nationals select Darren Baker, Jake Cousins in MLB draft

WASHINGTON -- The Washington Nationals drafted the son of manager Dusty Baker and the cousin of Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins on Wednesday.

The Nationals announced they had selected Darren Baker in the 27th round of the MLB draft. An 18-year-old shortstop out of Jesuit High School in Sacramento, California, Baker is already committed to play collegiately at California and is not expected to sign with the Nationals.

The younger Baker first hit the national radar during the 2002 World Series. Acting as bat boy for his father's San Francisco Giants team, the then-3-year-old Darren was infamously swept away from home plate by San Francisco first baseman J.T. Snow on a scoring play in Game 5.

Darren is currently in Washington with his father and the first-place Nationals. He was selected one round later than his dad, who was taken exactly 50 years ago in the 26th round of the 1967 draft by the Atlanta Braves.

Meanwhile, Cousins was thrilled with the prospect of his cousin joining him in D.C.

Jake Cousins, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher out of the University of Pennsylvania, went 7-2 with a 3.15 ERA as a senior for the Quakers. The unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection, who is 6-foot-4, was taken by the Nationals in the 20th round.

Among other picks, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett's son Zach was drafted in the 28th round by the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. Zach Jarrett, an outfielder, hit .342 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs for UNC Charlotte this season.

Baseball Hall of Famer Tom Glavine's son Peyton was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 37th round. Peyton Glavine, a left-handed pitcher, is committed to play baseball at Auburn.

Former Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean's son, Riley, was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 35th round. Riley Crean, a pitcher, is committed to play baseball at Indiana University.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles' brother, Colby, was drafted Wednesday by the Detroit Tigers in the 22nd round. Colby Bortles, a third baseman, hit .269 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs for Ole Miss this season.

Kentucky right-hander Justin Lewis, a cousin of both Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowler Richard Sherman and former NBA forward Chuck Hayes, went to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 11th round.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.