Friday, June 22, 2012

Major League Umpiring Debut: Jordan Baker

Friday night's opener between the Cleveland Indians and Houston Astros featured a Major League debut. Umpire Jordan Baker made his first Major League appearance. Baker joined Gerry Davis' crew and umpired at second base. Baker also worked alongside plate umpire Phil Cuzzi and fellow AAA call-up Manny Gonzalez (who has worked primarily in the majors this year).

Baker has been working the 2012 season in the Pacific Coast League, which is his first full season in the PCL and as a AAA umpire. In 2011, Baker was assigned to the AA Southern League. 2012 marked his first season as a MLB call-up umpire. The 6 foot, 7 inch Baker graduated from the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire school in 2005 and currently serves as an instructor at the school.

Baker, who wears # 71 for the majors, is filling in for Greg Gibson. While in the PCL, Baker wears # 19 and works with Clint Fagan and Mike Jarboe.

19 comments :

Anonymous said...

I went to umpire school in 2008 when Jordan Baker Was in AA ball and all the students were saying how he is going to be in the big leagues someday. I cant believe Brian Riley was released though. We all thought he was the best guy there.

Anonymous said...

Brian is working his way up again!

Anonymous said...

Me Baker is 1.22 Altuves

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Jordan Baker for his debut. Toby Basner didn't work his Int. League game tonight so my guess is that he will be the call up ump and make his MLB debut in the TB-Phil doubleheader tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Politics, as usual in MLB.

Anonymous said...

Could we possibly get a breakdown of Baker's game Today since it was his first ever plate job.

tmac said...

here is a look at Baker's plate... it wasn't pretty.. Hopefully you chalk it up to nerves!!

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/zoneplot.php-pitchSel=all&game=gid_2012_06_24_clemlb_houmlb_1&sp_type=1&s_type=7.gif

Anonymous said...

Toby Basner went up for Hoye in Philly today

umpire7 said...

Jordan is a great umpire. He was one of my instructors this year at the wendelstedt umpire school

Anonymous said...

I will repeat myself after looking the chart, politics as usual.

Anonymous said...

Gotta wonder how some of those pitches were caught though! Were there catchers set up inside having to reach? Were there breaking balls caught near the dirt that the pitch chart shows as strikes? I bet it doesn't take those types of factors into account!

tmac said...

@ anon.... while i understand you're a baker fan... how can a guy like alan porter consistantly be nails on the chart and guys people like... have issues with pitches moving balls caught.... doesn't sound like you're being fair

Anonymous said...

How is that not being fair? I never discredited Porter or any other umpire. Just simply pointed out potential flaws in the systems used to analyse umpires strike zones. I wonder how many people yelled at him from the dugout?
Oh and I had never heard of Baker before this site said he was working his first game.

Anonymous said...

Well, here is the first plate game for phenom Bellino back in 2009 in Chicago. This will give a comparison of Baker and Bellino in their first game after checking out tmac and Jordan's stats.

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/cache/zoneplot.php-pitchSel=all&game=gid_2009_06_04_oakmlb_chamlb_1&sp_type=1&s_type=7.gif

Anonymous said...

Congrats Jordan baker!!! Great job done!

TheNextian said...

Great job calling that Crawford missed 1B when he didn't. Did you get talked into it by Padres 1B Alonso? Should you see a miss of 1B without any question? Man, that was absolutely terrible.

Anonymous said...

Baker clearly missed a call in the game tonight between the Padres and Giants. Not a good start for Baker.

Anonymous said...

If you're going ring somebody up on a call you made up, you need to keep your powder dry when he calls you out on it. Thin skin and lack of ability are a bad combination for a call up

baseball babe said...

GO JORDAN BAKER!!!! One of the best umpires and GUYS I know!!!! Fantastic debut! Hope to see you work more games!!

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