"No one wants to go to JUCO out of high school, but it's the best option right now."
From D2 to JUCO to D1: Carson McCalebs Baseball Journey!
Join us on the Rawlings Tigers podcast as we sit down with Carson McCaleb, a switch-hitting catcher at Mineral Area Junior College and a St. Louis native with a unique recruiting journey. From navigating COVID-era challenges to transferring from Christian Brothers University, Carson opens up about his gritty JuCo experience, the mental demands of switch-hitting and catching, and his drive to win a championship. In this episode, he shares how he’s securing scholarship offers to support his parents financially, easing their burden while chasing Division I dreams alongside his twin brother, Connor. Packed with insights on asking the right recruiting questions and balancing academics with baseball, Carson’s story is a must-hear for young athletes and families. Since the recording of these conversation he chose Toledo University as his next destination for his career.
Timestamp:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:06:23 – Carson’s recruiting journey: High school to Christian Brothers to Mineral Area
00:08:36 – The challenges of switch-hitting and catching in recruiting
00:13:22 – JuCo experience: Gritty fall at Mineral Area vs. Division II
00:32:04 – Securing scholarships to help his parents financially
00:29:23 – Tips on asking the right recruiting questions
