Mon Feb 23 02:40:00 UTC 2026: ### Duke Gaines, Son of ‘Fixer Upper’ Stars, Pursues Baseball Dreams
The Story:
Duke Gaines, the son of Chip and Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper” fame, is making strides in his baseball career. At 17 years old in May 2025, Duke is a left-handed pitcher and center fielder for Valor Preparatory Academy in Waco, Texas, with a projected graduation year of 2027. His older brother, Drake Gaines, also played baseball and attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. While Drake faced an injury in 2024, he returned to the field in 2025. Chip Gaines expressed his deep connection to baseball, highlighting its importance in his life and his desire to pass that love on to his sons.
Key Points:
- Duke Gaines (born May 2008), son of Chip and Joanna Gaines, is a left-handed pitcher and center fielder.
- He plays for Valor Preparatory Academy in Waco, Texas.
- His projected graduation year is 2027.
- As of February 2026, he is uncommitted regarding college baseball.
- Drake Gaines, his older brother, played baseball at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
- Chip Gaines expressed the importance of baseball in his life and family.
- Joanna Gaines mentioned in January 2025 a conscious decision to be more intentional with family time as her children grow older.
Key Takeaways:
- The Gaines family maintains a strong connection to baseball.
- Duke Gaines is actively pursuing a baseball career.
- Chip and Joanna Gaines are consciously navigating the challenges of raising children in the public eye, balancing their careers with family time.
First Piper 