Baldwin records first career hit in MLB debut for White Sox

KANSAS CITY -- Brooks Baldwin was at a hardware store with his mother in Whiteville, N.C., on Tuesday afternoon, looking for supplies to repair a screen door at home messed up by their dogs, when he received a text from Triple-A Charlotte manager Justin Jirschele.

Jirschele asked if Baldwin was fishing. Baldwin answered “no,” but after hearing nothing more, gave his boss a call. At that point, Jirschele got director of player development Paul Janish on the phone to tell the 23-year-old infielder of his White Sox promotion, getting the starting nod at second in Friday’s 7-1 loss to the Royals at Kauffman Stadium

“I don’t really know what happened after that. I was kind of in shock and couldn’t really talk back,” a smiling Baldwin said. “But after a couple of minutes, I was able to say 'thank you' and it’s a great opportunity.”

Baldwin took immediate advantage of his opportunity against a Royals team fighting for the postseason. He handled an Adam Frazier grounder with no issue leading off the first and then delivered his first Major League hit on the second pitch he saw from Royals starter Michael Wacha leading off the third with an exit velocity of 104.8 mph on the single to right.

This is not the story of a top prospect taking his rightful place in the White Sox lineup. Baldwin is a 12th-round selection from the 2022 Draft and the No. 23 White Sox prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, who looks young enough to get carded twice at any local establishment. He’s the sort of prospect the White Sox need to develop and to produce for this rebuild to succeed.

And the switch-hitter doesn’t play young. After that first career hit, Baldwin went from first to third on Tommy Pham’s short single to center, reading the ball off the bat and getting in without a throw.

“It was a lot of fun being out there for the first time,” said Baldwin after the White Sox fell to 27-72 and lost a fifth straight. “It’s the same exact game I’ve always been playing. Things are a little bit faster so you kind of have to slow the heart rate down and let the game come to you.”

“He’s a professional and he’s exciting to watch,” said White Sox catcher Chuckie Robinson, who was teammates with Baldwin at Charlotte and joined the big league roster on Friday. “I love that kid, man. He’s awesome.”

Through 82 games between Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte, Baldwin slashed .324/.391/.460 with 19 doubles, eight home runs, 41 RBIs, 33 walks, 40 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. His .322 average with Birmingham still gives Baldwin a comfortable lead atop Southern League hitters.

He hit safely in six of eight games since a Charlotte promotion on July 4, going 10-for-29 with three doubles, two homers and four RBIs. One of those homers came on the first pitch he saw with the Knights.

Colson Montgomery, who is the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 prospect overall, figured to be the Minor League callup at this point of the season. Montgomery is hitting .212 with Charlotte, to go with 11 homers and 12 doubles, but had high praise for Baldwin in a Zoom prior to participating in the All-Star Futures Game.

“People don't look at him enough,” said Montgomery of Baldwin. “I would say he's one of the best players in our organization, just how he goes about his business and being professional with the things he does. He plays the game the right way.”

“It’s very special that he could say something like that about a guy like me,” Baldwin said. “I hope to see him up here very soon too.”

Friday’s promotion made Baldwin the 15th player in UNC Wilmington history to play in the Major Leagues and the first to do so with the White Sox, according to the school’s media relations department. Baldwin played with Mike Picollo, the son of Royals general manager J.J. Picollo, and the two were roommates for 2 1/2 years. The elder Picollo, who gave Baldwin's family and friends a suite Friday, just happened to be on the Royals’ broadcast discussing the team’s draft when Baldwin knocked out his first hit.

“Everybody is telling me to take it in and cherish the moment,” Baldwin said. “That’s all I can do right now.”

Unfortunately, Baldwin’s parents will have to wait to see him play Saturday as they arrived very late Friday following the nation-wide travel snafu. As for that screen door in Whiteville? The shopping was complete and Baldwin’s dad fixed things even after the exciting news.