Like Older Brother, Rhodes Headed To Pitch At D-I Level

SALEM - Seeing an older brother go through the recruiting process proved to be valuable for Carson Rhodes.

“Watching his recruitment and how long it took helped me a lot,” Rhodes said about his brother Lane, a Salem High School 2021 graduate who committed to Youngstown State in February of his senior year. “He knew what to do to get through stuff and what was right with schools.”

It benefited the 60th-ranked 2024 right-handed pitcher in the nation, who has decided Virginia Tech is the perfect fit.

“About a year ago I started talking to them,” the Salem sophomore reflected about interest developing with the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division program. “My pitching coach posted a video from the place I work out and they saw it. After that we talked every month and made a good relationship.

“Then I was in a tournament in early August and they liked what they saw of me there. Coach said to stop in Blacksburg on my way home.”

The second-rated 2024 RHP in Ohio came away impressed.

“The campus is beautiful,” Rhodes noted. “The academics are very good and the baseball program is very good. I felt it was a great fit.”

Rhodes pointed to a strong work ethic as one area that the coaches at Virginia Tech liked about him.

“The guy I go work out with keeps pushing me,” Rhodes said. “That’s a good thing.”

While a few other schools made contact with the 6-0 170-pounder, none were close to what Rhodes saw in Virginia Tech.

“They’re the only ones that really believed in me,” Rhodes explained. “I think some of the others might have gotten interested just because I have an offer. But they believed in me from the beginning and know what I can do.”

One of “Winter Standouts” from the 2024 class across the country, Rhodes has a bright future according to a PBR article from February.

“Rhodes has advanced stuff for his class with quality bloodlines,” it was stated in the write-up listing 23 top 2024s in the nation. “The younger Rhodes has mobility and athleticism in his delivery and the ball comes out well with lower effort.”

Improvement has continued for the 15-year-old, who in the spring helped Salem reach the Division II regional finals.

“My brother has been a huge part,” related Rhodes, who points to weight lifting and better mobility as keys to getting where he wants to go. “He took me everywhere to work out and was always telling me what to do. My pitching coach, Ben Simon, has helped with getting in contact with schools and my parents have never had any doubt about what I can do.”

The 282nd-ranked 2024 in the country, who carries a 4.0 GPA, is excited about a future beyond high school.

“Since I was a little kid I’ve wanted to play in college,” Rhodes said. “I started playing at the age of five and ever since I’ve dreamed about playing college baseball and even getting to the next level.”

A member of the golf team at Salem in addition to playing baseball, Rhodes is confident about what he can provide Virginia Tech.

“I plan to be an ACC starter and bring them a lot of wins,” Rhodes proclaimed. “I feel I need to get a lot more mobile in order to do that and I’ve also got to get stronger.”

Rhodes called making a commitment and bringing a quick end to his recruitment “unbelievable” while looking forward to his last three years of high school as a pitcher and shortstop.

“I thought I’d make it here, but to do it so early is amazing,” Rhodes concluded about his decision to commit with Virginia Tech. “Everybody was congratulating me. It felt so great.”