A True Role Model on the POWER Pitching Staff

PALM SPRINGS, CA — After staring in at catcher Austin Barrett for the sign, Nick Baker fired a cut fastball which the batter popped to left field for the game’s final out. Baker grinned, appreciating his first 9-inning shutout, an 8-0 victory for the Palm Springs POWER. Calm and collected—like always—the right-hander improved to 5-0 on the season, lowering his ERA to a gorgeous 1.36. Post game, rather than gloating about his own success, Nick was quick to praise his teammates in the field saying, “I’m getting a lot of ground ball outs. We have a great defense out there and it’s fun to pitch to. Just keep the ball low in the zone, make them hit and we will field the ball.”

Nick Baker fooling hitters with his cut fastball.

Baker has dominated at every level. As a high school senior and the Palm Desert High School ace, Baker led his team to the CIF Southern Section championship while earning Section’s Player of the Year award. The California Collegiate Athletic Association Freshman of the Year led Chico State in wins (9) and innings pitched (68.2), demonstrating impeccable control as he issued less walks than any other Wildcat starter.

Baker idolizes a certain future Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher saying, “look at Mariano Rivera, he’s been throwing that one pitch (the cutter) for numerous years now and he’s been so successful.” Like Mariano, Nick considers control the most important aspect of his game. “I like to believe it’s not how hard you throw. It’s all about locating pitches.”  The eighteen-year-old righty relies on primarily one pitch, the same one as his 5-time-World-Champion idol, the cutter. With his own simple delivery, humble demeanor, and mobile cutter, it’s no surprise that the POWER star idolizes the Panamanian closer.

Nick comes from a family with no baseball history. His parents both teach, his mom, Michele, runs a 4th grade classroom at Ben Franklin Elementary in La Quinta and his father, Bill, teaches Physical Education at Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary in Indio. With determination, hard work, and a supportive family, Baker has shaped himself into a highly sought after prospect. Last year, Nick was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 44th round, but declined to sign, choosing to pursue a college degree in business and pitch for the Chico State Wildcats.

Baker’s selfless, humble demeanor is a rare commodity in this day in age. Unlike some big stars such as Barry Bonds, Terrell Owens, and LeBron James, Baker is an unselfish, fun-loving, role model who always puts the team before himself. Just a normal kid who grew up loving baseball in La Quinta, Baker is now living the dream that so many kids dream of. Whether it’s with Palm Desert High, Chico State, The POWER, or a Major League Baseball franchise sometime in the future, Nick always takes the mound with the heart of a champion.

Written by Tyler Lotto