After years of hard work, Cole Caruso finally got the call he’d been hoping for since he was a kid.
On the other line, former assistant coach Ben Greenspan told him everything he wanted to hear: the Michigan baseball team was offering him a scholarship.
But in the 20 years leading up to that long-awaited call, the now-junior third baseman had already built a deep connection with the Wolverines.
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Growing up in Scottsdale, Ariz., Cole was always an athlete. Along with his two brothers and father, Joe, he developed a love for baseball. The youngest of three boys, Cole viewed his older brothers as role models and wanted to follow in their footsteps.
“Both of my older brothers both played baseball,” Cole told The Michigan Daily. “Primarily just baseball. One of my brothers played a little bit of football. But for me, my oldest brother is nine years older than me. Other one is five-and-a-half (years older), so I always went to their games. Like (I) would throw the baseball around while they’re playing.”
And by observing his brothers, he fell in love with baseball. But perhaps more important than his affinity for the diamond was his love for Michigan.
With Joe growing up in Michigan, Cole was well acquainted with the Wolverines’ culture. By observing his father’s love for everything associated with the maize and blue, he soon followed suit. Whether it was watching a football game or hearing “The Victors” fight song, Joe loved Michigan. And soon enough, so did Cole.
“My dad grew up outside of (Ann Arbor),” Cole said. “So he showed me and my two older brothers everything about Michigan. Watching sporting events, just how important the school was academically and athletically. So when I was … growing up in total, my dream was to be here and play for the maize and blue … because of the memories I had as a kid.”
With memories of throwing around the football by the golf course and showing his fandom at Michigan baseball games in Arizona, Cole’s love for the Wolverines grew. But as a multi-sport athlete, playing football and basketball in addition to baseball, Cole knew he’d have to pick one to go Division I with Michigan. Over the course of high school, he decided to give up everything else and solely focus on baseball. With his eyes set on the diamond, Cole honed in on the sport that mattered the most to him.
In high school, Cole shined — the hard work he put in was paying off. Winning numerous awards, including Defensive Player of the Year in the Northeast Valley Conference and Second Team All-State honors in Arizona, Cole was a star talent. His efforts awarded him the No. 14 ranking for 2021 Arizona shortstops from Perfect Game.
But when colleges came calling with scholarships, Michigan wasn’t one of them. For all of his hard work and dedication, Cole wasn’t going to be a Wolverine. Despite his disappointment, Cole carried on, committing to play for USC Upstate instead.
“I wasn’t ready (or) good enough to represent (Michigan),” Cole said. “But I always thought in my mind … (Ann Arbor) is the place I wanted to be. … I was a bigger kid, slower kid, didn’t hit for a lot of power. Like I had some intangibles but not enough.”
Sure, Cole might not have been considered good enough as a high school recruit. But that didn’t stop him; Cole was determined to prove his worth. In his freshman season as a Spartan, he did just that. Unlike most freshmen, Cole was ready for playing time from the jump. Compiling a .289 batting average and 35 hits in 39 games, he helped propel Upstate to one of its most successful seasons in recent memory.
And the following season, Cole proved his freshman season was no fluke. Building on his successful campaign, he became the full-time starter at shortstop. His hard work continued to pay dividends, compiling a .319/.422/.424 slashline. He was an integral part of the Spartans’ historic season, helping punch a ticket to the Big South conference championship game for the first time in program history. But Upstate couldn’t get over the hump, its season ending at the hands of Campbell.
Despite the disappointment of losing in the conference championship, everything was going right for Cole on the diamond. He became a central piece of the Spartans’ Big South championship-contending roster, starting every game while leading them in walks and ranking third in batting average and hits. His efforts even earned him an all-conference honorable mention.
But amid his tight connections with his teammates and coaches at USC Upstate and personal success, something was still missing: the maize and blue. So after his sophomore season concluded, Cole entered the transfer portal. Two years prior, he knew he wasn’t good enough to play for the Wolverines. But with two years of experience and personal growth under his belt, he felt that he was ready now.
Sure enough, Michigan came calling. Cole committed instantly, and Joe grew teary-eyed at the thought of his son donning the maize and blue.
“(Going) to USC Upstate was looking back maybe a good thing,” Joe told The Daily. “Got him ready to come here and then finally things go full circle and then he ended up here. He’s living his dream. You know, we’re not supposed to say but our whole family, we’re living through him.”
At last, Cole was a Wolverine.
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After stepping into the locker room for the first time at Michigan, Cole knew he’d made it. From Arizona to Spartanburg, S.C., to Ann Arbor, Cole’s journey finally reached his desired destination. But that didn’t mean he was done showing what he was made of.
“Cole’s name was one that continued to be at the top because he’d had success at the Division I level before,” Michigan coach Tracy Smith told The Daily. “… What I noticed right away (was) he was very good defensively. His work ethic is really, really good, like he wants to get better. … Also his affection for Michigan. I understand the value, so bringing him in just seemed like a natural fit.”
And quickly, the “natural fit” showed. Manning third base with skill and precision, he has been an integral part of the Wolverines’ elite infield defense, helping propel them to first in Division I for double plays turned. Along with the rest of the remade infield, he’s been a perfect fit, showing off the stellar instincts he built with the Spartans.
At the plate, Cole’s bat has been timely, responsible for grand slams against Oakland and Minnesota to break open games. In the series finale against Ohio State on April 21, he mashed a three-run home run to take the lead, vaulting Michigan to its fifth weekend series win. Against Maryland, he recorded a nine-hit weekend, being the trusty bat the Wolverines needed against a tough conference foe.
Though Cole came to Michigan as a shortstop, he was more than willing to adapt as needed. When now-graduate shortstop Kyle Dernedde committed to the Wolverines, Cole was moved to third base, sacrificing his natural position for the benefit of his team.
While behind the scenes, he’s been a class act, Cole is also a vocal leader who actively cheers and supports his teammates. Against Michigan State, when Cole was in a slump and given a rest day and freshman third baseman Joonsung Park started in his place, he wasn’t jealous. Instead, Cole was Park’s most ardent supporter, jumping out of the dugout when Park scored, celebrating with him. Despite being benched for the day, that’s not what mattered — the team and Park’s moment was more important to Cole.
“It’s very easy to crawl into your own shell and try to figure out ‘how do I get out of this for me,’ ” Smith said. “And the fact that he pours himself into the guy that’s essentially replacing him that day speaks a lot to his character.”
Despite growing up thousands of miles from Ann Arbor, Cole always loved Michigan. He loved the Wolverines as a kid, at USC Upstate and finally, as Michigan’s starting third baseman.
This year, Cole’s childhood dream of representing the Wolverines finally became a reality.