MLB Debut of Umpire Brock Ballou

Umpire Brock Ballou made his MLB debut during Saturday's Rockies-Nationals doubleheader in Washington, DC alongside Crew Chief Larry Vanover, Junior Valentine, and Sean Barber. Ballou served as the first base umpire for Game 1 of the doubleheader and as the third base umpire for Game 2. Vanover worked the first game as HP Umpire with David Rackley serving as plate umpire for the second.

His first taste of professional baseball came in 2013 in the American Association under Kevin Winn. From there, Ballou began a minor league journey in the Appalachian League in 2014, since working in the Midwest League (2015), Carolina League (2016), Southern League (2017-19), Pacific Coast (2020), and Triple-A East [International] League (2021). Ballou has also officiated the Arizona Instructional League. He graduated from the Wendelstedt Umpire School.

Ballou wears sleeve number 119 and is the first umpire to make his MLB debut in 2022 (Ballou is the only umpire that has been added to the MiLB call-up list since 2020).