Carson McCusker was a member of the Tri-City ValleyCats when he roamed the outfield at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium two years ago. On Sunday afternoon, the former undrafted free agent came up to bat in a Major League Baseball game.
McCusker was called up to the Minnesota Twins before the team’s series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Not only was he promoted, but he also made his major league debut in the game, pinch-hitting for DaShawn Kiersey Jr. in the eighth inning.
McCusker grounded out to the pitcher, but hopefully this was just the beginning of many more Major League at-bats to come.
The 26-year-old outfielder had been putting up impressive numbers with the St. Paul Saints, Minnesota’s Triple-A affiliate. In 38 games this season, he was hitting.350 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs.
Toby Gardenhire, St. Paul’s manager, delivered McCusker the news that every minor leaguer hopes to hear one day.
“We were about to hit [batting practice] on the field when Toby kinda got the guys together,” McCusker explained in an interview with Twins.TV. “[He] started talking about what we were kind of doing for the day, and then announced to the guys that I was going up, and [it was] just pure excitement.”
McCusker played for the ValleyCats from 2021 to 2023. In 145 games, he batted.326 with 36 home runs and 120 RBIs.
When the Twins signed him in 2023, he had a.433 batting average.
“It’s kinda crazy just looking back [at] where I was to where I am now that I was able to get here and do it.”
