Raether Looking Forward To Helping Miami Win MAC Titles

Carson Raether C / SS / Goodrich, MI / 2024

GOODRICH - A coaching change sent Carson Raether a different direction when it came to finding a place to play baseball in college.

“It was definitely a different process,” admitted the top-ranked 2024 catcher in Michigan after making a commitment to Miami of Ohio. “Coach (Kyle) Trewyn first saw me at the Future Games when he was with Bradley. He ended up reaching out this past winter and said he loved what he saw. I was supposed to visit Bradley to check it out but right before going I reached out to see if the plans were still on for me to go and he said he just got a job at Miami. But he said he still liked me and asked if I had any interest in Miami Ohio.”

Raether was open to checking it out.

“I took a visit before the PBR National Championships and it went well,” Raether related. “I loved the campus, the place is beautiful. I got to know the coaches and loved them. I met (head) coach (Brian) Smiley and I feel there’s an opportunity there to make a powerhouse in the MAC.”

Not too long after, the Goodrich High School senior became part of the program in Oxford, Ohio.

“I didn’t receive an offer on the visit but they said they’d keep an eye on me at the PBR National Championships,” Raether reflected. “I had a good weekend and at the end of August I took a visit with my dad to make sure Miami was the right place for me. It felt like home. They offered me while I was on campus.”

There was plenty that the 17-year-old and his family liked at Miami.

“Both of my parents love the scenery, Miami is a beautiful place,” Raether said. “Both love the coaches and the facilities. It has all that I was looking for, especially the education.”

Raether, who plans to major in engineering, selected the university located 41/2 hours south of home over two other Mid-American Conference schools, Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.

“I really like how Miami is going to be that team in the MAC the next few years,” Raether said.

Miami is happy to have the left-handed hitting catcher be part of a program led by first-year head coach Smiley, who had been at Indiana State the previous 14 years.

“They like how I can hit the ball,” Raether said of what helped attract the Miami coaching staff to him. “I talked to coach Trewyn about hitting and we’re on the same page. They think I can develop behind the plate while I’m there as well.”

The idea of playing baseball at the next level began in seventh grade.

“I took a trip to Omaha to watch the College World Series,” Raether said in reference to the pinnacle in college baseball that featured Vanderbilt and Michigan in the finals.

Sophomore year the recruiting process started.

“The biggest event for me was the Future Games,” Raether pointed out. “After that it was waiting to reach that Sept. 1 date for schools to reach out. I talked to a lot of coaches after that, but there were a lot of coaching changes with those I talked to and things slowed down. It took a toll on my recruitment and put stress on my shoulders. But whenever Miami was at my game I was always at my best. I was comfortable with them.”

After all, there was common ground between Raether and Miami.

“I thought wherever I’m wanted, that’s where I’ll go,” Raether explained. “That’s another reason I chose Miami. We both want big success for the future of the program.”

That means continuing to improve, something the 5-10 175-pounder has done in receiving interest from Division I schools during his recruitment.

“One of the biggest things for me was getting bigger, faster, stronger,” Raether noted. “Power to it. Getting stronger and having more technique behind the plate has taken my game to the next level.”

The 20th-ranked senior in Michigan is of the belief he can be a big asset to the program at Miami.

“I will definitely bring some leadership to the team, that’s always a big part of my game,” Raether said. “I’ll be a positive guy that has fun. I think we’re going to develop and push for MAC championships, hopefully Regional and Super Regional championships and make it to Omaha.”

A 4.1 student at Goodrich, Raether is pleased to be committed while excited about what lies ahead.

“It definitely took some weight off the shoulders to finally be done with the process,” Raether said. “It’s been a long year, so getting a place to call home is definitely special for my family and me.

“I’m really looking forward to spending 24 hours seven days a week with the team, bonding and having that family,” Raether concluded. “Competing at one of the highest levels and seeing new-level arms and bats and seeing top competition every day of the week is going to be great. I’m really looking forward to the grind and being the best version of myself I can be.”