Since starring on Team Wisconsin at the 2022 Prep Baseball Future Games, C Hunter Carlson (Hudson, 2024; Wichita State commit) has continued to prove to be one of the state’s top backstops over the course of 2023. Early on into his junior campaign, Carlson quickly made his presence felt for his Hudson Raiders squad, highlighted by a standout showing at our High School Invitational. There the strong 6-foot-1, 210-pounder showed off some more pop from his smooth left-handed swing, all while continuing to show advanced defensive actions from behind the plate. He continued to dominate across the spring in the months that followed, earning Player of the Week honors in late May and his season culminated in a Prep Baseball Wisconsin WIAA All-State Second Team selection, too. Carlson then entered his final prep summer as arguably the top uncommitted prospect in the state. After putting together arguably his best performance in front of our staff at July’s Top Prospect Games, Carlson announced his commitment to Wichita State.

(Top Prospect Games; 7/11/23)

Carlson recently took us through what his recruitment process was like, favorite baseball memory, and more.

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?

Carlson: I really didn't know what to expect out of the recruiting process early on. I was looking for a college program that competes at a high level and would be able to develop me into the best possible baseball player I could be. On top of that I was looking for a coaching staff that truly cared about their players and want to build a family out of their team.

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

C: Location played a factor in my decision because I wanted to have a longer outdoor season with less snow. I feel like the more I can get work in outside on an actual field, the better the development I will get.

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

C: The recruiting process started to heat up for me right after the Prep Baseball Future Games in 2022.

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

C: Wichita State is a very special place with an amazing baseball history, amazing facilities and a high level of baseball. Coach Green and Coach Overcash made me feel at home and I am excited to work with both of them to fine tune my skills. I liked hearing about the plan for success that Coach Green has put in place for the program with specific goals and expectations. The fact that Wichita State has a dedicated, well respected catching coach (Coach Overcash) was a huge factor for me becoming a Shocker.

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

C: During the end of my recruiting process I ended up narrowing down my options to The University of Evansville, The University of USC-Upstate, and Western Kentucky University.

P: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

C: INF Brock Lulewicz (Muskego, 2024; Wichita State commit) has been the the best player I've faced in Wisconsin because he makes what seems like every play in the field and it's too tough to pitch to him because he is able to drive the ball with power to all parts of the field. Let's just say it's a good thing we will be playing with each other in college instead of against each other.

P: 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?

C: I have always had the dream of playing baseball at the highest level and I knew in order to do that I had to make sacrifices and work hard both on the field and in the classroom.

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

C: I would tell young players that they should get in the weight room just as much as they are in the cages in order to get bigger, faster, and stronger. I would also tell them to just have fun. Baseball is a game of failure and it will knock you down but always remember you started playing because it was fun.

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

C: Playing in the Future Games in front of so many college coaches was the most memorable moment of my baseball career up to this point. It was an awesome experience and really opened my eyes to all the talent around the country.

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

C: Hudson will definitely miss the pitching dominance that we had last season with LHP Ben Berkhoff (2023; North Dakota State) and INF/RHP Jake Busson (2023; Iowa Central). Although we will miss our pitching dominance, LHP/OF Bradyn Bezanson (2024; Maryville commit), a senior lefty, will make up for some of the pitching we lost. He has a nasty three-quarter arm slot that creates a two seam with tons of run matched up with one of the best sliders I've ever seen. On top of that I think we will have better bats from the top of our order to the bottom making quite a competitive high school baseball squad.

P: How did the Future Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event?

C: The Future Games really jump started my recruiting process. I got a lot of attention from schools that were there which developed into visits and offers. All of the visits I went on helped me figure out what I was looking for. Some schools I visited were great academically but not what I was looking for in a baseball program. Other schools had great baseball programs but the academics were not what I was looking for. In the end Wichita State University had the perfect mix of a strong baseball program with amazing coaches and a solid academic school.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

C: Keep your eye out for INF/RHP Sam Abrahamson (Hudson, 2026) is a sophomore infielder at Hudson and also plays for the Minnesota Blizzard. Sam is very smooth in the infield with a good arm and a bat that has a lot of pop.

P: Did Prep Baseball assist in your recruiting? Whether it be through a showcase, tournament coverage, tweets, etc? If yes, please explain.

C: Prep Baseball definitely assisted me in my recruiting process through the publicity on social media, and the invitation to the PBR Future Games.

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