Commitment Q&A: Stone McCaughey

OUR Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

McCaughey: I had a lot of conversations with experienced players about their recruiting process and what to expect. So going into the process I had a good feel for what it was going to be like. What I was looking for in a program was a lot of different things but I would say my biggest difference makers were coaching staff/relationships, team history, and facilities. 

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

McCaughey: Distance was one thing that didn’t bother me at all. I didn’t let that affect me during the process I wanted to build relationships with schools all over the country and just see what fit me the best. 

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

McCaughey: So for me the recruiting process started up early, it was my 8th grade year. Ed Easley the owner of Easley Baseball Club put me in front of some great programs early on and it got my recruiting process rolling. Ole Miss actually saw me live the first time in 8th grade at Ole Miss with EBC.

PBR: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

McCaughey: Everything about the University of Mississippi stood out to me. If you ever been around that campus you’d understand. It’s all top notch from Swayze, to the Manning Center, to the Vaught, to the Pavilion, to the square, to the Grove, it just feels like home. The key factors in my decision with Ole Miss were the loyal/experienced coaching staff, it tells you a lot about a program when all the coaches stay together and never leave. Also the eye opening history of Ole Miss Baseball showed a lot to me they are competing against the best year in and year out and that’s what I want to do. Lastly the way I instantly felt like I was home when I made it on campus for my visit.

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

McCaughey: I talked to a lot of different programs over the years, but when it came down to making a decision I would say I narrowed my top 5 to Ole Miss, TCU, LSU, Tennessee and Arkansas.

PBR: Who is the best player you have ever faced? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

McCaughey: I’m actually gonna flip things up a little bit and bring it in from my hitting side of things and pick someone from my own high school. With the best player I’ve faced in the state being Talon Haley, we face eachother a couple times in intersquads before our high season starts back up and he’s different. It no secret he’s a dawg. His drive, work ethic, and mentality plus his talent is what makes for a tough competition and separates himself. 

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?

McCaughey: Growing up I’ve always known I’ve had a gift from God. It was pretty early on when I knew what I wanted to accomplish and where I wanted to end up one day with that being at the biggest stage of professional baseball. 

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

McCaughey: The biggest advice I’d give to young ballers with a dream to be in the same position I’ve been blessed to be in today. It would be to take advice from people that’s already been through it, enjoy absolutely every minute of it, take setbacks and grow from them and come back stronger, and lastly the biggest thing of all is never stop working, get 1% everyday. If you do all of that the sky is the limit. 

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

McCaughey: Man, I have a lot of great memories over my career so far from the young ages too heading into my senior year of high school baseball. But I would probably have to say all of the events I’ve got to attend over the years and all the great friendships I’ve made all over the country, that’s something I’ll cherish forever. 

PBR: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

McCaughey: Going into this high school season we know we are gonna be hunted all year long seeing everyone’s best everyday with a really fun and tough schedule, with a goal to end it the same way we did last year as a state champion. We do a great job as a team of blocking out the noise and just go out there and do what we do. We have been grinding all offseason and this year I’m expecting big things out of all of us and I’m expecting all of us to show everyone some big jumps and open some eyes not only here in the south but nationally.