MLB to Debut Record 10 Rookie Umpires in 2020

To cope with the unprecedented number of senior umpires opting out of the 2020 MLB season, Major League Baseball will call upon the services of a record-high 10 rookie minor league umps to fill in the gaps throughout the summer.

MiLB's Triple A International and Pacific Coast Leagues supplied MLB with a corral of call-up candidates, and the following umpires were invited to work MLB Spring Training and the resumption known as Summer Camp. One (Jose Navas) began the 2019 season in Double-A's Southern League, but was since promoted to Triple-A.

With 61 full-time staff umpires (13 opt-out + 2 injured) calling games and 23 call-ups available, MLB will experience the highest percentage of call-ups on the field than at any time in the MLB Umpire era.

2020 Rookie Umpire Call Up List (2019 League in Parentheses) as reported by Ump-Attire. com
> Erich Bacchus (International League);
> Adam Beck (International League);
> Nestor Ceja (Pacific Coast League);
> Paul Clemons (Pacific Coast League);
> Dan Merzel (International League);
> Malachi Moore (Pacific Coast League);
> Edwin Moscoso (Pacific Coast League);
> Jose Navas (Southern League [Double-A, since promoted]);
> Junior Valentine (Pacific Coast League);
> Ryan Wills (International League).

According to local Venezuelan media, David Arrieta (Pacific Coast League) may also join the rookie class, pending physical. These are the most rookie debuts since the American and National League staffs merged in 1999.

The 12 call-up umpires remaining from 2019 will all remain on the call-up list for 2020. In order of major league experience, they are (MLB games officiated in parentheses): Sean Barber (513), Ben May (483), Tom Woodring (450), Roberto Ortiz (247), Jeremie Rehak (231), Ryan Additon (200), John Libka (183), Nick Mahrley (164), Shane Livensparger (108), Brennan Miller (38), Alex Tosi (33), John Bacon (28).