Q&A With Louisville Commit: RHP Matt McCarty

June 2, 2015

By Steve Nielsen
Scouting Supervisor - Wisconsin/Illinois

Matt McCarty (South Milwaukee, 2016) saw his stock rise this winter and jumped into the top 10 prospects in the state. Since then several schools took notice and the big right-handed recently chose Louisville. Here's a look at McCarty's recruiting process and what led to his commitment.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?

McCarty: Several of my teammates at Hitters had gone through the recruiting process before me so I had a general idea of what to expect. The hardest part was keeping up with phone calls and e-mails but the best part was meeting all of the coaches and touring campuses to get a feel for what the baseball program and university were like.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

McCarty: I wanted to find a place where with hard work I could continue to develop as a player and to help my team compete for a national championship. Louisville has an amazing coaching staff and baseball atmosphere and is a place that offers me opportunities to accomplish both of these.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

McCarty: Distance was not a deciding factor in my college choice. Other things like my relationship with the coaching staff and the academic opportunities at the school played a bigger role.

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?

McCarty: The PBR Futures Games last August was the first opportunity I had to play in front of 75-100 coaches at one event. This was an incredible opportunity to get to play on a team with some of the best players in Wisconsin and the coverage from the Futures Games gave some great exposure.

PBR: Where did Louisville first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

McCarty: Playing with Rawlings Hitters and competing in competitive tournaments gave me exposure to numerous different college coaches. My relationship developed quickly with the coaches at Louisville through phone calls and the visit that I made. My visit gave me many chances to meet everyone and spend time with the entire coaching staff and players. I also was able to attend a pre-game scouting meeting which gave me a feel for what a game-day routine was like.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?

McCarty: I was really looking for a school in which I had a connection with the coaches and the chance to push myself to become a better player. Roger Williams, the pitching coach at Louisville has worked with so many outstanding players and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him and the rest of the coaching staff.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

McCarty: I had made visits to several top schools and was interested in Columbia, Penn, Northwestern, Air Force Academy and St. Louis before making my decision to commit to Louisville.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?

McCarty: Many of the top players in Wisconsin are on my Rawlings Hitters team so I get the opportunity to practice and play with them. As far as players I have faced, I would have to say that a couple of great hitters include Connor Kimple and Joe Acker from Marquette University High School. They both can hit for power and drive the ball in the gaps very well.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

McCarty: As a freshman I went to a PBR showcase at the Hitters Facility. After that showcase I was invited to the Top Prospect Event in Chicago and had the chance to meet RJ Fergus from Hitters. Working out and playing at Hitters with some of the best baseball players in Wisconsin and Illinois made me a better player and gave me the confidence necessary to realize that I could have the opportunity to play college baseball.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

McCarty: I would tell young players to make sure to work as hard at school as they do at baseball. Academics in combination with baseball helped bring college opportunities my way. While it is important to work hard year round for baseball, I always loved basketball and other sports as well. I definitely think the skills learned in other sports helped me in baseball and become a better competitor. One other thing would be to find some older role models to look up to and to learn from.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

McCarty: Going to Cooperstown when I was 12 years old with the Oak Creek Storm was such an amazing experience. To stay for the week in a cabin with my teammates and coaches and play at such a historic baseball tournament will always be one of my favorite baseball memories.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

McCarty: My high school team has only two returning varsity players this year but the team has a great chemistry together and I will have a chance to play with some really good teammates and friends. Our team goal would be to win our side of the Woodland conference and to keep improving in all areas of the game.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

McCarty: The weekend after my high school season is over in July I play with Rawlings Hitters National Team into the fall. My most memorable experience is all of the great guys that I have met through this team including Justin Lavey and Jake Snider. They will both be my future teammates at Louisville and I am looking forward to playing with them in college.

Q&A With Louisville Commit: RHP Matt McCarty

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