C’s Chat – 2026 Vancouver Canadians RHP #36 Trace Baker – C's Plus Baseball

The latest C’s Chat is with 2026 Vancouver Canadians pitcher Trace Baker.

David Aubrey Baker was born in Greenville and attended South Central High School in Winterville, North Carolina. After a 2.76 earned run average along with 52 strikeouts in 38 innings in his 2021 junior season, Baker rounded out his high school career with the Falcons by recording a 1.90 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 55⅓ innings. He also batted .368 as a first baseman with five doubles, three home runs and 24 runs batted in over 26 games. The chef’s kiss was back-to-back All-Big East Conference selections in 2021 and 2022.

Baker would head to Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory and won seven out of 11 decisions with a 4.40 ERA and 53 punchouts over 57⅓ innings in 2023. He helped the Red Hawks win its Region X regular season title and was a First Team All-Region X selection.

In 2024, Baker left the junior college ranks to attend University of North Carolina/Wilmington and found himself in a relief role. He earned another year-end award with a selection to the Coastal Athletic Association Championship All-Tournament Team after tossing six innings of one-run relief to get the win over the College of Charleston in the Tournament final. He finished the year with a 1-0 record, a 3.58 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 32⅔ innings.

It was another year and another award for Baker in 2025. A season in which he won four of five decisions with a 2.24 ERA and 54 Ks over 5213 innings led to First-Team All-CAA honours. The highlight of his year was tossing five shutout frames against William & Mary on May 11.

Baseball America ranked Baker as the 410th best prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft and filed this scouting report.

“Baker has two fastball variants, a 92-93 mph four-seamer that can touch 96 and a sinker that is two beats slower, that he delivers from a lower slot with solid extension. He also has a low-to-mid-80s slider that he showed some feel to manipulate when seeking more sweep to put hitters away. Baker also dabbled with a mid-80s changeup. Baker doesn’t have an elite swing-and-miss offering, but his variety of pitch shapes and improved strike-throwing could intrigue a team later in the draft. If not, he is set to transfer to North Carolina in 2026.”

Baker’s plans for attending the University of North Carolina to become a Tar Heel did not come to pass. Instead, the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 13th round of the 2025 MLB Draft on the recommendation of scout Coulson Barbiche Jr.

With a signing bonus of $150,000, Baker headed to Dunedin for draft camp but his professional debut was pushed back to this season. He was cooking early when he collected his first save and first victory in back-to-back outings with the Dunedin Blue Jays. That resulted in a quick promotion to Vancouver on April 14. Heading into the latter part of May, Baker has put up a zero in four of his last six appearances in the bullpen. He was credited with his first Northwest League victory after pitching a perfect 10th inning with two punchouts against Everett on May 12.

C’s Plus Baseball spoke with the 22-year-old Baker during the club’s mid-May homestand against Everett. This interview has been edited for clarity.

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C’s Plus Baseball – Trace, thanks a million for doing this. The first question I want to ask was about you getting drafted by the Blue Jays, what was that experience like? Where were you when you found out?

Trace Baker – It was obviously a dream come true just to get the opportunity to play professional baseball, especially for an org that’s as accomplished and successful as the Blue Jays are recently. My draft story’s a little bit different than most guys, where I feel like most guys, like, they’re getting the call, and then they find out what team they’re going to, and then they watch it happen on the TV. For me, I was standing in my driveway watching the website, and I just saw my name come up on the website. They didn’t call me beforehand. So that was kind of out of the ordinary, but it was definitely cool just to see my name pop up, and then I got on the phone afterwards. It’s, uh, definitely a unique story, but obviously a dream come true.

CPB – Were you with anybody at the time?

TB – Yeah, my family was in the house, and I walked outside to do something. And I was just watching the website on my phone, and then saw my name pop up.

CPB – So you got to celebrate that. Next thing you know, you’re on your way to Dunedin. What do you remember about that process going from draft day to arriving in Dunedin?

TB – Yeah, it was different for sure, because the draft finished on a Monday, and then we were flying out on a Wednesday, and at the time, I thought I might end up going back to college. And then all of a sudden, I get the opportunity that I want, and I’m going to head down to Florida and sign. I got a day and a half to pack up and head down, but it was definitely quick. Once we got down to Dunedin, I mean, just the people that were there, they made it super convenient and easy to get to know them, and all that kind of good stuff, so there were a lot of good people there.

CPB – Was there any anybody you hit it off with as far as fellow players in your draft class, or anybody in the org?

TB – Yeah, definitely, all the pitchers there in my draft class, we got pretty tight, but, I mean, it’s easy to do, and the Blue Jays did such a good job with picking up a ton of good people. I mean, my whole draft class is just loaded with great guys. When you got that many great guys together, it’s kind of hard not to hit it off with them and get to know them and all that kind of stuff.

CPB – You were with UNC Wilmington. Talk about what it was like pitching at UNC Wilmington.

TB – It’s a great program, you got some great people there, and, I mean, for mid-major baseball, we call it a power major just because of the success that we’re used to having at that level. But it’s a great program, great school, great people, just a fun place to play.

CPB – How did you develop as a pitcher there?

TB – Just taking time to develop physically. I was a little bit of a late bloomer, so just getting an extra couple years under my belt, and then Kelly Secrest does a great job with all the pitchers there, Brad Moore in the weight room, and (analytics coordinator) Alex O’Brien was my first real introduction to the analytical side of the game, and he did a great job teaching me what to look for and all that kind of stuff as well. So, they did a good job helping me turn into the person I am now.

CPB – I want to touch upon analytics in a moment with you, but you were mostly a reliever in college. The bullpen, was that just something you just liked doing?

TB – Yeah, for sure. I mean, I started my whole freshman year at my community college, and then the weekend rotation was kind of set when I transferred into UNCW, so I knew I was probably going to be a bullpen guy. Just the adrenaline rush that you get being in the pen and all that kind of stuff, I really liked going out of the pen.

CPB – When did you start pitching?

TB I was probably like, eight or nine. You would think I would have it a little bit more figured out than I do now, given how long I’ve been doing it.

CPB – Getting back to analytics, the Player Development Complex, what would you say you learned about yourself trying out all the equipment there?

PB – They’ve got everything that you need, for sure. It was cool getting to throw in the lab, and just like, see all the video of my delivery and things that I can tweak a little bit with that kind of stuff, and then also the pitch stuff. Throwing on the Edgertronic cameras is something completely new to me, so I’ve never really seen how the ball actually comes off my hand, throwing different pitches. So, making some adjustments there with some pitches has been really helpful, too.

CPB – What is your pitching repertoire right now?

TB – Right now, I’m throwing a four-seam fastball, a sinker, a cutter, a sweeper and a change-up.

CPB – How do you go about trying to hone all those pitches? You like to have as many weapons in the arsenal as possible.

TB – Yeah, I mean, it’s a little bit different for me, because I kind of have a set two or three that I’m going to throw to right-handed hitters, and then a set two or three that I’m going to throw to left-handed hitters. It’s not like I’m trying to get all five pitches in an at-bat, because there’s no shot to getting all five pitches in there. You’ve got your pitches that you want to throw early in the count for strikes, and then you’ve got your put-away pitches, and you kind of have a plan for righties and lefties and just go from there.

CPB – How would you rank your pitches right now?

TB – Right now, my sinker and sweeper have always been kind of my bread and butter. We adjusted some things with that in spring training, so it’s kind of been up and down so far a little bit this year. But recently they’ve been really solid again for me, and then the cutter’s been good as well. It wasn’t really a go-to for me in college, but a lot of swing and miss so far, and pro ball with it.

CPB – You mentioned a slider. How would you describe it?

TB – Yeah, my cutter is really a slider. It’s a gyro, and then the sweeper is the sweeper. I just call it a cutter so I can see myself stay behind it a little bit more.

CPB – You mentioned your game plan for righties and lefties. Do you have a central philosophy as far as pitching?

TB – Yeah, I mean, the pitching department here is really big on owning the zone and getting ahead in the count and winning the race of two strikes. There’s so many options when you’re 0-2 and 1-2 versus 2-1, 3-1. So that’s kind of my game plan is just to really attack the zone and get ahead and let my stuff play from there.

CPB – You started out with Dunedin and then you get bumped up here to Vancouver. What was it like pitching in Dunedin?

TB – It was cool, for sure. Great stadium, a little bit nicer than we probably deserve with the spring training stuff that goes on down there, but once again, like, Ryan’s (Ryan Casteel) a great manager, Brett (Brett Kennedy) and Tony (Antonio Caceres) are great pitching coaches, so they make it real easy to get settled in and have success there, for sure.

CPB – How did you find out about your promotion to Vancouver?

TB – So, it was on a Monday off day, and we had just went to breakfast. I was in my truck driving back to the apartment, and this random number kept spam calling me. I thought it was a spam call. I was like, ‘Why does this person keep calling me?’ So I kept declining it, and I declined it for probably, like, a couple times, and then he quit calling me. And then, I was with Karson Ligon, my roommate, and the manager, Ryan, texted Ligon. He was like, ‘Get Trace to answer the phone.’ So I called him back after that, and he was like, ‘Yeah man, I was about to call them back and tell them you couldn’t go because you wouldn’t answer the phone, but you’re going to Vancouver.’ I was like, ‘Well, I’m glad I answered the phone then.’ Yeah, so that’s how that happened.

CPB – How have you found it pitching here in the Northwest League? Has it been a huge difference from Florida State League?

TB – I would say my first couple outings, it was like 12 degrees in Spokane when we got here. So going from 80 to like 30-something degrees. Just like, the grip on the ball is a little bit different. Nothing major, just took me a couple outings to get used to that and figure out what I need to do from that side of things. But, I love the fans here, it makes it so fun to play.

CPB – I know the crowd can get pretty loud at times, but working on the mound, how did you find it there?

TB – Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. Anytime where you’re getting to play in front of that many fans and getting to pitch in a big spot, that’s why you play the game and what you train for. So, I mean, just getting to be in a moment like that is always super fun.

CPB – Your last outing, it was an interesting one. You come in extra innings, runner at second base and Jacob Sharp throwing out the runner trying to steal a third and then you went on to strike out the two batters. What do you remember about that night? What was working for you?

TB – A little bit of everything. I was really just pounding heaters. It makes it a lot easier when you only got to get two outs to get out of it because Sharp is throwing the ball 100 (miles per hour) down there to third. But, a lot of fun. Once again, big spot, great crowd. I think we had what, like 4,000 people last night on a Tuesday night. So, just so much fun to get in a big spot like that.

CPB – Talk about Jacob Sharp. We saw Jacob almost pick off a couple of guys at first base. How’s it been working with Jacob?

TB – Yeah, it’s great. Sharpie’s great. Gilly’s (Hayden Gilliland) great. Just getting to know them and develop a game plan with them has been really fun. They’re both so smart. The way that they manage the game is great, just on the mental side of things. And then, like, the physical traits they have as well, it’s just so fun to watch.

CPB – When you enter in a game in extra innings, it’s a really tough situation to put anybody in. It really puts a premium on strikeout pitching, and you’ve managed to accomplish that. What’s the mentality when you come in from the bullpen in that kind of situation?

TB – Yeah, I mean, extra innings is different because with the runner on second, like, it’s a bunt situation. So, you’re kind of trying to feel out if there’s going to be a bunt, and then you kind of go make a play on a bunt because the third baseman’s probably going to end up staying back to try to get you out at third. So, you’ve got that in the back of your mind, and then at the same time, you’re not trying to throw him a cookie to get a base hit. So, it’s kind of like you’re just letting your best stuff play. Like, you’re trying to go in there and best on best kind of thing.

CPB – Okay, and I want to ask you now, as far as your teammates go, who do you think is your funniest teammate?

TB – Funniest teammate? I would go with Carson Pierce. Sitting down in the bullpen, definitely with him, makes it a little hard to concentrate sometimes. Just with the kind of guy he is, but all these guys are great. It’s so fun to be around them.

CPB – As far as walkup music goes, you have your song, but is there anybody else on the team whose music you really like, whether it’s hitters or pitchers?

TB – Landen Maroudis‘ “Man in the Box” (by Alice in Chains) is really good. I used that last year, so it’s a little bit nostalgic when I hear that. And then I like Kelena’s (Kelena Sauer, “God Is” by Kanye West) too.

CPB – Two final questions. Favourite Major League team or player?

TB – I’m going to have to go with the Blue Jays, because they’re writing my checks right now.

CPB – Yeah, that’s true. I mean, growing up.

TB – I was more of a college guy than I was an MLB guy. But it was always, I think, the Nationals, because they were the closest to me. I’m from North Carolina, so we made a couple trips up there and watched a couple games when guys like Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, and I think Max Scherzer was on that team too. He’s one of my favourite players as well. So, just that group of guys is really fun to watch.

CPB – Final question. The Canadians have lots of different uniforms. The Nat Bailey uniform, red, white, gray, blue, black. Do you have a favourite?

TB – I think the red is really slept on. I like the red a lot. And then “The Nat” with the new hat (75th anniversary logo). The hat’s good.

Trace Baker File

Born – December 18, 2003, in Greenville, North Carolina
Height/Weight – 6’4’’, 230 pounds
Bats/Throws – Right/Right
Uniform Numbers – Wore number 36 for the Catawba Valley Community College Red Hawks in 2023. Wore number 43 with the UNC-Wilmington Seahawks in 2024 and 2025. Wore number 27 with the Dunedin Blue Jays in 2026.
Twitter – @TraceBaker5
Instagram – @trace_baker03
Professional Debut – April 4, 2026, for the Dunedin Blue Jays vs. the Bradenton Marauders.
First Professional Strikeout – April 4, 2026 for Dunedin vs. Bradenton. Struck out Jack Brannigan swinging.
First Professional Save – April 4, 2026 for Dunedin vs. Bradenton. Pitched two shutout innings and struck out 4.
First Professional Win – April 11, 2026 for Dunedin at St. Lucie Mets. Pitched two shutout stanzas with one strikeouts.
C’s Debut – April 16, 2026, at Spokane.
First C’s Win – May 12, 2026 vs. the Everett AquaSox. Struck out two in a perfect inning.
Fun Fact – Baker is the fourth pitcher the Toronto Blue Jays have drafted from UNC-Wilmington. Before that, lefthander Austin Easter was taken in the 31st round in 2018. The only other year the Jays picked any UNC-Wilmington players was in 1994 when they took a trio of Seahawks. Righthander Chris McBride went in the 3rd round and third baseman Battle Holley went in round 41. In between, righthander Brian Smith was taken in the 27th round and made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000.