After going undrafted and not receiving any attention from MLB teams, Spanish Springs graduate Carson McCusker has made it to baseball’s highest level.
McCusker, a 2017 Spanish Springs graduate, was called up by the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound outfielder has been with the Twins Triple-A team, the St. Paul Saints, this spring.
McCusker played baseball in college at Oklahoma State, then was in the independent Frontier League with the Tri-City ValleyCats after not receiving any offers from a Major League team.
The Minnesota Twins signed him to a contract in June 2023.
On Saturday, Minnesota selected his contract from Triple-A St. Paul, where he was batting .350 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs in 38 games.
McCusker, who turns 27 on Thursday, joined the Twins in Milwaukee on Sunday for their game against the Brewers. He pinch-hit and grounded out to the pitcher in the eighth inning of Minnesota’s 5-2 loss that snapped the Twins’ 13-game winning streak. McCusker played right field in the ninth.
“I mean, it’s honestly kind of a lot to take in,” McCusker said before the game in a video posted on the Twins.TV X account. “It’s definitely been a blessing. It’s kind of just crazy looking back where I was to where I am now that I was able to get here and do it.”
McCusker filled the 26-man roster spot vacated when Byron Buxton was placed on the concussion injured list Saturday.
His father, Mike McCusker, told the RGJ his family was on hand for Carson McCusker’s MLB debut.
He said Carson was a nervous, but excited.
“Very excited. Very nervous, a bit exhausted and very grateful for the opportunity. He’s hoping he can continue his success to contribute and stick around,” Mike McCusker wrote to the RGJ.