For the Sabathia family, the festivities of Stars game next week will be a family affair. CC Sabathia, a six-time American League All-Star, will be in Denver to participate in the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game on Sunday, and then participate in a children’s baseball clinic on Monday with The Players Alliance.
But unlike his other All-Star trips, when the spotlight was shining on him, he could come third in line this year within his own family. CC’s wife, Amber, will participate in his first MLB Draft as a CAA Sports agent, while the couple’s eldest son, Carsten III, will dress on July 9 at the MLB All-American Game at Coors Field, a showcase for the best high school prospects in the country.
“It’s going to be a super packed weekend, but it will be amazing,” Carsten said. “It will be something I will never forget. Being there with the whole family will be a lot of fun. “
For Carsten, affectionately known as “Lil ‘C,” and his teammates, the All-American Game will be the start of the summer scouting season. The event debuted in 2019 at Cleveland’s Progressive Field during All-Star Game Week, with nine players ultimately being among the top 40 selected in the 2020 Draft and a total of 17 who were selected in the Top 150 last summer.
“I was lucky enough to go to the All-Star Game in Cleveland, and I actually got to see some of those guys participate in that event,” Carsten said. “I was like, ‘Man, it would be amazing to be able to be in those guys’ shoes.’ Realizing now that the dream is something that I cannot put into words. “
For the older Sabathia, the opportunity to see his son play at Coors Field is as exciting to him as the first time he stepped onto a major league field.
“It’s exciting to see Carsten play in a major league stadium,” CC said. “Just two All-Star Games ago in 2019, I was on the field with me watching the high school kids play in the Home Run Derby. I’m sure he stayed with him to be there playing that game himself, and he will be. Everything is a complete circle for us. “
Carsten, who is heading into his senior year at Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey, inherited his father’s strong body, who is already 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 235 pounds. He pitched for a time, but found his true calling in the infield at both first and third base. He’s even trying to work on his game in the outfield, hoping to be as versatile as possible to do what he loves the most: hitting.
“I love using the bat,” Carsten said. “I think I can play wherever I need to be on the field in order to be in a lineup. I think that’s the most important thing. I am growing in my body and learning to move in the way that I feel I need to achieve the best performance on the field. “
Although CC made a name for himself on the mound, the former American League Cy Young Award winner hit three home runs with 15 RBIs in 121 at-bats, proving to be a tougher out than many of his pitching counterparts. Carsten believes that he is already a better hitter than his father, although the teenager added: “I would not agree with that, but I would say yes.”
Carsten will spend the summer playing for the FTB Phillies Scout Team 17U, a team based in Kissimmee, Florida. He spent this week in Alabama participating in the Perfect Game 17U National Elite Championship tournament, then will head to Atlanta for another tournament. before taking off for Denver.
With the summer scouting season in full swing, Carsten will have plenty of opportunities to show his skills for both major league clubs and college programs. CC dropped out of high school after being selected by the Indians with the 20th pick in the 1998 Draft, but Carsten, who will turn 18 on September 15, is keeping an open mind when it comes to his future after school. high school.
“I am open to both ideas,” Carsten said. “It’s a bit difficult to tell at the moment; It seems like it’s a long way into the future, and it also seems like it’s popping up at the snap of a finger. I only try to take it one day at a time. If the draft is something that works, I will take it into consideration. But education always comes first; that’s what my mom preaches, so that’s something I’ll take into consideration as well. “
Mom, of course, is Amber, who joined CAA Sports as a baseball agent in early May. Amber is sure to see her husband and son play in their respective All-Star events, but her main job in Denver will be as part of the CAA Draft team.
“Of course this is not my first All-Star, but it will be the first time I have attended the Draft and can learn from the co-directors of CAA Baseball,” Amber said. “This is something that I am very excited to go into this weekend and gain insight from this experience. Adding the family affair only makes it better. We have become a true baseball family. “
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com
.