FOLLOW THAT DREAM: Chico native Luke Barker debuts with Milwaukee Brewers at age 30

MILWAUKEE — Chico native Luke Barker pushed his manner by four-plus seasons of minor league baseball starting in 2016 after going undrafted, all in chase of his dream of in the future pitching on the mound of a Main League Baseball stadium.

Barker obtained a style of the massive leagues every of the previous 4 seasons when he made appearances in MLB Spring Coaching with the Milwaukee Brewers, however previous to the 2022 season he had but to crack the Brewers’ 40-man roster.

That dream of pitching at baseball’s highest stage turned a actuality for Barker on Friday when he pitched two innings in opposition to the San Diego Padres in Milwaukee, permitting no hits, no runs and no walks. Barker obtained his first strikeout on the primary batter he confronted on a 1-2 pitch to Padres’ outfielder Trent Grisham. Barker then obtained Austin Nola to line out, Jurickson Profar to floor out, Jake Cronenworth to fly out, Manny Machado to floor out and Eric Hosmer to floor out.

His two-inning debut was over, and he lastly had time to take a seat again and mirror on the second that simply occurred.

“I feel once I was throwing within the debut its simply type of, it’s simple to say it now however I used to be simply making an attempt to get by it. I used to be simply making an attempt to do my job and it’s type of the identical in that manner,” Barker mentioned through telephone Wednesday. “Clearly far more nervous and far more on the road, however I feel it was after that outing as soon as they instructed me I used to be performed I type of sat down within the dugout and was like ‘woah that simply occurred, that was actual life.’ That was in all probability that first deep breath and let it sink in second.”

Barker first came upon he can be part of the Brewers’ taxi squad for a doubleheader in opposition to the Chicago Cubs on Might 30. He was activated however didn’t seem in both recreation and was optioned again to AAA Nashville the next day. Barker was rapidly recalled the following day and appeared in his first main league look two days later.

“They referred to as me in and mentioned you’re lively, you’re a giant leaguer, so go dress and prepare. It was as fast as that,” Barker mentioned. “They type of had an thought as a result of they introduced me there simply in case they ended up needing me. It’s loopy how lengthy you wait and the dialog is actual fast.”

Barker referred to as being added to the 40-man roster for the Brewers, “the life altering second.”

“On Monday in Chicago once they added me to the roster, that was when every part modified,” Barker mentioned. “From there it’s like, no matter you guys want me to do I’ll do it. If I obtained to fly to Durham at 6 a.m. to affix the AAA crew I’ll do it. It actually modified every part. I’m simply excited to do my job now. Whether or not that’s right here, there or wherever it’s all good.”

Barker joins a Brewers bullpen that has been robust by 57 video games this season. The Brewers’ ‘pen has the third-lowest ERA after the seventh inning (3.09) and its 56 earned runs allowed is fourth greatest within the MLB.

Barker joins teammate and buddy Devin Williams within the Brewers bullpen. Barker and Williams have performed collectively since 2018 and identified one another since 2017 when Barker first joined the Brewers. The 2 shared a second when Barker first arrived, and Barker mentioned it was good to know loads of guys within the Brewers bullpen upon arrival.

Barker had a big group of holiday makers on board in Chicago that included Barker’s spouse, his father, his sister, his father-in-law and a few cousins. When Barker obtained the decision he was returning to Nashville, the group flew dwelling, however his father Scott Barker was dwelling in Chico for all of roughly six hours earlier than he hopped again on a airplane and headed to Milwaukee. Luke Barker had obtained the decision that he had as soon as once more recalled.

“The one one which was in a position to flip proper round as soon as I obtained the information the next day again was my dad. He was right here and he noticed it, so it was fairly particular,” Luke Barker mentioned. “It was superior. I feel he was again dwelling in Chico for a complete of six hours and he turned proper again round and got here again, so he’s placing within the miles similar to me.”

Barker initially went undrafted after graduating Chico State in 2015 along with his grasp’s diploma in train physiology. From there he went to play baseball in impartial leagues, whereas serving to coach the Wildcats for 2 seasons.

Barker signed a minor league contract with the Brewers in November 2016, and constantly put up robust numbers whereas making his manner up Milwaukee’s minor league ranks.

Barker is the primary participant to make it to the MLB below Chico State head coach Dave Taylor. Taylor has had two different gamers make appearances within the MLB whereas he was pitching coach, however Barker is the primary participant with Taylor on the helm.

Taylor mentioned Barker’s lack of ego and his work ethic is one thing that stood out to Taylor from the beginning. Taylor mentioned he often noticed Luke and Scott Barker working collectively and not using a catcher, however moderately with only a web and a strike zone to get higher. Barker knew he needed to higher his fastball so would often put in time within the weight room.

“His perseverance and understanding his weaknesses and addressing them and dealing on them from a bodily facet to a thoughts, simply the psychological toughness that needed to be there,” Taylor mentioned. “My level is that when he was taking part in for the Nuts youthful he was only a man, and for PV. He knew that he wished to be greater than a man. He noticed a great model of baseball by watching us for thus a few years and noticed what it took to achieve success. His imaginative and prescient to by no means cease getting higher, that simply by no means stopped.”

Taylor mentioned his favourite half is seeing the no-quit perspective in Barker after the challenges he’s confronted. He credit the competitiveness Barker carries with him every time he takes to the mound as to why he’s achieved the success he has.

Taylor referred to as Barker’s story a legacy for these taking part in baseball in Chico — whether or not that be with the Chico Eastside or Westside Little League, the Chico Nuts American Legion crew, at a neighborhood Chico Excessive Faculty or at Chico State.

When Barker first took to the mound in Milwaukee, Taylor took a second to pause his TV. A bunch chat had been texting discussing that Barker’s journey was lastly coming to fruition.

“It was a surreal second,” Taylor mentioned. “I paused the TV simply so I wouldn’t get caught up in who’s he dealing with, simply to see him warming up on the massive league mound that he was lastly in there. It was an unbelievable second.”

As for these trying to probably see Barker pitch on baseball’s highest stage, the Brewers will journey to San Francisco to tackle the Giants on July 14-17. Barker is now part of the 40-man roster and could be referred to as up or down from the minor leagues 5 instances within the 2022 season, so ought to he be with the massive league squad in mid-July, followers from Chico may made the drive in just below three hours.

Barker, who grew up a Giants’ fan, mentioned the considered pitching in San Francisco can be superior, principally to see everyone who has rooted for him so lengthy from afar.

“I do know I’d have a ton of people that would need to come and see these video games, so that may be superb,” Barker mentioned. “I went to a bunch of video games there rising up, however there’s loads of baseball between at times so I’ve obtained to go one recreation at a time, however that may be superb.”