Biography
Riley Brooks Baldwin (born August 15, 2000) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2024.
Amateur career
Baldwin attended Whiteville High School in Whiteville, North Carolina and played college baseball at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. After his junior season, he was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 15th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and returned to Wilmington for his senior season. In 2021 and 2022, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Professional career
Baldwin was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 12th round, with the 371st overall selection, of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft and signed. He spent his first professional season with the rookie–level Arizona Complex League White Sox and Single–A Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. Baldwin split 2023 between Kannapolis and the High–A Winston-Salem Dash, slashing .269/.349/.460 with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, and 22 stolen bases over 93 total games.
Baldwin started 2024 with the Double–A Birmingham Barons. In 74 games for Birmingham, he batted .322/.386/.441 with six home runs, 37 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Baldwin was promoted to the Triple–A Charlotte Knights in July.
On July 19, 2024, Baldwin was promoted to the major leagues for the first time, and made his MLB debut that day. In his first career at bat, Baldwin singled to right field to lead off the third inning against Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha. This was Baldwin's only hit of the game, as he ended 1-for-3 with one strikeout in the White Sox 7-1 loss.