Just two years ago, the West Jordan baseball team won a single game. This season, the Jaguars won a region championship and piled up 21 victories. 

Many players, along with committed coaches, contributed to the team’s success. Perhaps no one more impressive than senior Ethan Baldwin. The pitcher and third baseman was a steady performer who had a tremendous impact on the field each game. 

Baldwin was second on the team with three home runs and shared the lead in triples with three. He contributed a West Jordan-best 13 doubles as well, not to mention 32 RBI, second on the squad. 

Those were just his offensive stats this past season. 

In addition, Baldwin struck out 47 batters and was 4-2 on the mound as one of the team’s main pitchers. His strikeout total paced the Jaguars. This was on the heels of a junior season that saw him retire 18 batters and drive in 15 runs. 

The confident player loves a big challenge. He has set some lofty goals and is determined to achieve them. 

“I love the competition because it makes you a better ball player,” he said. “I keep doing it because it is a dream of mine to make it to the big leagues.”

Baldwin has witnessed firsthand the progress of West Jordan baseball from a team that was 1-24 while competing in Class 6A in 2023 to a 10-17 mark last season (and fourth place in Region 4) to 21-6 this season. The Jaguars also won the Region 4 crown by two games over Cyprus by going 16-2. Both region defeats were by only two runs. 

The Jaguars have made gigantic strides as a program under head coach Travis Johnson over the past two years. Baldwin and his teammates have made focused, dedicated efforts to get to where the team is now. He said it has been rewarding to see the fruits of that hard work. 

“The best part about being a part of West Jordan is that nothing ever came easy,” he said. “We had to work for what we got.”

Baldwin has the physical tools and skills that coaches look for. Unquestionably talented, Baldwin, however, said his biggest attributes are his leadership abilities. Baldwin spent extra time working on his hitting and even worked in the offseason with friends on this area. 

“Some of my strengths are that I encourage others to help them become better—a better person and player,” he said. “Another strength is that I am a hard worker. I am also a good role model for others.”

Having experienced many highs and lows during his career at West Jordan, Baldwin understands what it takes to win and what is required to overcome challenges. He’s not complacent but is continually striving to do better in all aspects of the game, including how he works with his teammates. 

“I want to work on my leadership skills and become a better person overall for people,” he said. 

Like many baseball players at this level, Baldwin started playing as a young child, beginning with games of catch in the backyard with his father. He joined a team at age 4 and has been going strong ever since. He intends to continue playing for years to come. 

“My plans are going to play college baseball and hopefully having the chance to fulfill my dream of becoming a major league baseball player,” he said. 

The Jaguars’ coach heaped praise on Baldwin and believes big things are in store for him as he continues his baseball career. 

“I have had the privilege to be a part of Ethan's entire high school baseball experience,” Johnson said. “Ethan has been challenged over the years and called upon to play at a high level since he was a freshman and has continued to improve year over year. He is a silent leader that is respected and looked up to by his teammates on and off the field. He has a high baseball IQ and likes to think about situational baseball and figure out ways to be successful. I am excited to see what the future holds for him in baseball and in life. He is amazing.”

West Jordan’s 21 victories this season set a school record. The Jaguars earned the No. 3 seed in the Class 5A state tournament. Unfortunately for West Jordan, upstart Salem Hills wasn’t intimidated when the two teams met in the super regionals May 14 and 15 for a best-of-three series on West Jordan’s home field. Fresh off a two-game upset of 14th-seeded Springville, the 19th-seeded Salem Hills team shocked West Jordan for wins of 2-1 and 8-5 to knock the Jaguars out of the playoffs. In a losing effort in game one, Baldwin struck out seven Salem Hills batters and gave up just six hits. The following day in the second game, Baldwin recorded an RBI. 

Despite the disappointing ending to the season, it was still a memorable year for the Jaguars. Aside from winning a region title and setting a single-season record for wins, West Jordan posted its first winning season since 2022, Baldwin’s freshman year on the squad. λ