Krawchuk bullish on South Florida
When Carter Krawchuk transferred from Purdue University to Seminole State University of the National Junior College Athletic Association, he never gave up on his dream of pitching for a prominent Division 1 program.
After a solid freshman season with the Raiders that saw Krawchuk toss a seven-inning perfect game last summer, the 21-year-old St. Catharines native decided to spend a second year at the junior college level.
“When I was at Purdue and any D1 level you go to, everyone’s kind of looking for that experience. They want people to come in and be an impact guy right away and make sure you have that experience behind you and you’re ready to go right off the bat to start and create a winning program,” Krawchuk said. “I really wanted to go into my next school knowing that there is no excuse and I have the experience and for that reason you’re going to play me and I’m going to be that guy. So going back to Seminole State, I just felt really comfortable.”
Krawchuk’s decision paid off big time recently when the Saint Francis Catholic Secondary School graduate committed to the University of South Florida for the fall of 2025 where he will pitch for the Bulls and study business administration and sports management.
“They wanted me, which is a great feeling,” he said. “You don’t want to go and just be filling a spot for a team. I was actually recruited before they gave me a visit, before I even threw my first pitch this fall. I’ve been talking to them and I mean the fact that they wanted me and that I wanted to commit in the fall and it’s a great place for me really contributes to everything.
“I chose USF because I know that I’m going to come in there and be an impact guy. There’s no chance that I’m going go sit on the bench there — I’m not there to be a cheerleader — I’m there to be that guy and be an impact person.”
Krawchuk said the offer the school made him was too good to turn down.
“They threw me an offer that was just irresistible; it was a crazy offer,” he said. “They checked so many of my boxes off that at the end of the day, I couldn’t say no. It was just a perfect spot for me.”
Krawchuk said he felt an immediate synergy with Bulls head coach Mitch Hannahs and his staff.
“I really enjoy the coaches that are there and that’s a big factor to me. The head coach wants to win and that’s exactly what I want to do. I want to go win something, I don’t want to go do something for nothing.”
He is undeterred in his dream to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team.
“I really didn’t want to go to some big school and throw 30 innings in the bullpen and maybe get drafted,” he said. “My end goal is to get drafted, and in order to do that, I need to be seen and go to a place in Florida that has a great amount of scouts. Scouts are always there, 24-7. That’s where the scouts live and to stay in Florida was really important to me because I love the fact by parents can just fly right up in one direct flight and come here and have a little vacation for themselves.”
The University of South Florida is located in Tampa and has produced several major leaguers, the most noteworthy being Hall of Fame manager and three-time World Series champion Tony LaRussa.
Krawchuk will finish up with a spring schedule at Seminole State, then play summer ball before entering USF next fall.
“I’m super excited,” he said. “I wouldn’t even say that I’m overly too nervous because I’ve been in that environment before and I’m a competitor. I truly think that when you get on that mound, like you can’t be afraid of anything. You’ve got to know you’ve put in all that work and all that time. So when you finally step up for that big moment, you really got to jump on that opportunity.
“I think a lot of people are going to be very impressed with the amount of work that I’ve put in and I’m still putting in now because I’m not going to take my foot off the pedal. I’m going to keep going and kind of surprise people I think.”
Krawchuk said his fastball topped out at 93 miles-per-hour this fall and he’s hoping to hit 95 next spring.
“The sky’s the limit for me and I’m super excited I’m going to be on the big stage again and I when I get that opportunity they’re not going to be able to take me off that mound.”
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