The expectations surrounding Oregon State third baseman Trent Caraway are already sky-high, with the freshman having yet to take a collegiate at-bat.
Caraway played his prep days at JSerra Catholic High School in Orange County, California, a national powerhouse that has produced big league talent like Rangers catcher Austin Hedges and former No. 1 overall pick Royce Lewis.
During his time at JSerra, Caraway both pitched and played shortstop. He also broke Lewis’s single-season hits record with 49 while playing the same position as the current Minnesota Twin. As a senior, Caraway notched a .462 batting average with seven deep flies and 20 RBIs. Furthermore, he was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in California as he led his squad to a CIF Division I South championship.
To make a long story short, Caraway was the man. To add a question into the mix: how on earth did Oregon State get the young man to put his professional dreams on hold and come to Corvallis?
Caraway was viewed as the 2023 draft’s No. 70 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline . To make the list is a high honor, but the range of the 70s results in a late second to early third round pick. The slot bonuses attached to those picks would have meant Caraway could sign in the range of $1 million, but according to head coach Mitch Canham, Caraway’s sights are set higher.