Coming into his freshman year at LSU, Alden Cartwright was uncertain about his future in baseball. It had always been his dream to play at the old Alex Box Stadium growing up, and he was looking for the opportunity to pitch for his favorite team. Cartwright had been a pitching ace for local Runnels High School, where he was the 2013 MVP of the Louisiana High School All-Star Game. He earned first-team all-district honors in each of his four high school seasons and finished his career with 344 strikeouts and 18 wins. After graduation, he finally had a chance to fulfill his dream.
However, while Cartwright’s prospects at LSU seemed good, he wasn’t entirely sure if he would even make the roster.
“My first expectation was to make the team,” explained Cartwright. “I wasn’t highly recruited; people thought I was lucky to make the team, but I was honored to be a part of this program, as I still am. After I made the team, I wanted to make the travel roster, and aside from missing one or two games from getting the flu, I’ve never missed a game or series. It’s been a crazy experience.”
Since earning a roster spot, Cartwright has had to battle to single himself out on a team that has prided itself on having a solid rotation year in and year out. He has fought his way to earn innings on a loaded pitching staff where seeing the field can be difficult for some.
“Once I got here, I realized how good I wasn’t,” joked Cartwright. “The amount of talent we have on our pitching staff is unbelievable. Veteran guys will struggle to get innings, which is amazing. I love that; I love that we have to fight to get innings here with the freshmen, sophomores, and JUCO transfers. (It shows that) everybody is just as good as you, and most of the guys that come here are the best players from where they came, so when you get here, you’re a big fish in an even bigger pond.”
But even with all the pitching talent at LSU coach Paul Mainieri‘s disposal, Cartwright has shown he has the tools to do what it takes to compete in the SEC. He saw action in 26 games his freshman year, posting a 1-1 record with a 2.41 ERA in 33.2 innings, including a start in the 2014 SEC Championship game victory over Florida. Cartwright also made a start last season in LSU’s opening NCAA regional game victory against Lehigh, and he pitched on the biggest stage for the Tigers in Omaha during the 2015 College World Series.
Despite not seeing as much action as starting pitchers Jared Poche’ and Alex Lange, Cartwright is still an asset out of the bullpen, where he provides much-needed leadership and experience on a young team. Entering the 2016 season, the Tigers will have a combined 16 incoming freshmen and junior college transfers, and Cartwright is aware he is one of the upperclassmen who will have to show them what it takes to play in one of the nation’s best conferences.
“The competition is always amazing. It doesn’t matter how good you get or how good you think you are, you will always get knocked down,” said Cartwright. “You just have to get back up and keep on fighting. SEC baseball is no joke. That’s how we like it around here.
“It’s just exciting to show the freshmen the ropes and kind of take some of them under your wing and push them forward because you know they’re all going to do great. I know our veteran pitching staff will be able to help carry these guys along if they need it, but I don’t think they will. I think they’re going to step into their roles, and when the lights turn on in the ‘Box,’ they’re going to be animals.”
While his role may not be as glamorous as other positions on the field, Cartwright relishes the chance to do his part for the team. Regardless of what any of the coaches ask him to do, Cartwright is willing to do whatever it takes to help in any way he can, making the most of his opportunities when he is on the mound.
“If I didn’t pitch and we won a national championship and I was just a ‘Hey, give me a water’ type of guy, I would love it,” Cartwright explained. “We need another championship in Baton Rouge. I couldn’t care less if I throw one inning or 50 innings this year, as long as we win. Living in Baton Rouge my whole life, I just wanted to play for LSU. That’s all I wanted. Living the dream is amazing. I’m just pitching for the team I love.”