By james art 
Updates with local players in professional baseball
The road to and through professional baseball is rarely right, and Carson McCukeer has made some turns.
But McCukeer, a graduate of the Spanish Springs for 2016, is at the top of the big leagues.
McCukeer with 6 feet-8, 250 pounds was named a player at Triple-A Minnesota Twins of the month last September while with St. Paul Saints. He killed .282 with 19 household runs and 75 RBI for the team.
He worked in Renault in the winter and spoke with RGJ about his career so far.
McCukeer says he doesn’t think he can reach the big ones, but it’s on the back of his mind.
“I try not to think about it, I just think about where I am and do the best I can there, but at the end of the day that’s the goal.” said McCukeer.
He is one of several local high school baseball players who are now in professional baseball. The list includes two more Spanish Springs Grad: Ryan Anderson and Jace Avina.
Mccusker: “This is grinding for sure”
McCukeer said reducing penalties is his main focus in the extra -season.
He reported on the spring training camp Twins in early February.
“I work on the cut of penalties; it’s something you don’t want to do,” he said. “I put myself in bilateral thinking while in a cage for wadding.”
Mccusker went from Spanish springs to Folsom Junior College in Oklahoma. He was made by the Brewers in Milwaukee while he was in Folsom, but instead went to Oklahoma. It was not re-prepared and played in the Independent League, with a three-city for two and a half years before the twins signed it in 2021.
At the Frontier League with Tri-City (Pasco, Washington) Dust Devils, he rained .433 with 17 homes and 10 pairs in 37 games before the twins sign it.
He said professional baseball is a big step from college.
“Every level in which you go to everyone’s skills is more sophisticated. They are better in their craft,” he said. “You have to make adjustments at every level you climb. You see how boys quarrel and how a person play and match it.”
He said the trip could be grinding as the teams are in a different city every week, but he is used to it.
“I’m kind of used to it. It’s part of the concert,” McCukeer said. “It’s grinding for sure. Every day you beat on your body.”
He said, since everyone else he plays with is in the same situation, it helps to build comrades with teammates.
Craft
McCukeer said he always dreams of playing a professional baseball and was almost sure he could do it.
“It was a crazy way to get here. I was in a bunch of different places,” he said. “There were ups and downs, but it was a fun trip.”
At the Triple baseball, the opponent’s pitchers know what terrains he struggles to hit and that’s about everything he sees.
He said he did not sign a lot of money, it takes some weight from his shoulders.
“I just play and try to get as much as I can,” he said. “It has helped me a lot throughout the climb. I just go out there and whatever happens is happening.”
His advice to young players trying to do it for a professional baseball is to focus on what they do best.
“Continue to make adjustments, try to find what your game is and try to refine it,” he said. “This is what makes every person at higher levels. They know their strengths.”
McCusker signed with the Twins organization on June 29, 2023. He played 144 matches between low A, High and Double, before making it at the highest level of secondary leagues, joining the saints on August 24th.
Locals in professional baseball
- Gareth Hampson (Renault Hi), Arizona Diamondbacks, UTL probably starts in the secondary leagues
- Drew Anderson (Galena)He plays in Korea. Rhp
- Ryan Anderson (Spanish Springs), Organization of New York Yankees, LHP
- Jace Avina (Spanish sources), Organization of New York Yankees
- Jadon Berkovic (Rancho Damonte) RHP signed with Tampa Bay Rays organization
- Christian Chamberlain (LHP) (Reno High), Organization of Kansas City Royals; Missed last season with UCL injury
- Gunnar Goodsmith (Renault), The organization of Sacramento A 2B
- Skylar Hales (Reno)Texas Rangers Organization RHP: Hiles was the fifth round of choice in 2023
- Ray Kerr Braves (Hug High) LHP, in the organization of Atlanta Breves. If Tommy John Operation last season and will probably miss all from 2025
- Carson McCukeer (Spanish Springs), Minnesota Gemini Organization of
- Connor Noland (attended by Bishop Manog): Chicago cubs organization RHP
- Robbie Sneling (McQueen), Miami Marlins Organization LHP: Snelling was traded on Marlins last season.
- Joe Wiland (Bishop Manog): RHP game with Olmecas de Tabasco from the Mexican League last year can play in Japan this year.