What do James Carter and Jeff Paschke have in common? First, they are both right-handed pitchers selected by the Dodgers in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. Secondly, they both have a connection to Santa Barbara, California and both pitched exactly one inning with the Arizona League Dodgers in 2016. Coincidentally enough, they were selected by the Dodgers in consecutive rounds in the 2016 Amateur Draft.

Carter, 23, was picked by the Dodgers in the 21st round of the 2016 June draft out of the University of California Santa Barbara. He was born in Pomona, California and attended San Ramon Valley High School.

Following his graduation from high school, Carter registered at Chabot College in Hayward, California, playing two years with the Gladiators and helping them foster a 20-game winning streak. In June of his 2014 season he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 28th round but chose not to sign.

Carter moved on to the University of California Santa Barbara for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He was again drafted following his 2015 season. This time the drafting team was the Houston Astros and Carter once again chose not to turn pro.

James Carter
(Photo credit – Vince Agapito)

During his two years with the Gauchos he was limited to a total of 18.1 innings and gave up but one earned run. The 18.1 innings spanned two years with a Tommy John recovery period in between his last appearance in 2015 and first one in 2016.

The 6’3”/185-pound Carter was but one of the Tommy John surgery fraternity selected by the Dodgers in the 2016 draft. His TJ classmates were Bailey Ober, Conor Costello, Enrique Zamora, Jordan Sheffield and Mitchell White.

He did recuperate quickly enough to participate in the College World Series in 2016 which was eventually won by Coastal Carolina University.

James Carter did sign a professional contract with the Dodgers on the third attempt to sign him. His lone inning of work in 2016 with the Arizona League Dodgers came on July 27. His 2017 season will no doubt be a more rewarding season for him as he begins his professional career.

Right-hander Jeff Paschke was selected by the Dodgers with their 22nd round pick in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Southern California.

The native of Santa Barbara, California, first played high school baseball at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona. At Valley Christian he was named the national sophomore baseball Player of the Year by the ESPN publication, Rise. He finished his sophomore season with a sizzling .620 batting average and set a state record with 72 RBIs.

Paschke returned to Santa Barbara for his senior high school year playing with the Santa Barbara High School Dons where he earned first team All Channel League honors. A very versatile player, he continued to be a two-way player posting a 2.39 ERA in 44 innings with the Dons.

Following high school, the 6’5”/215-pound Plaschke was invited to the University of Southern California as a walk-on determined to secure a starting role with the Trojans.

“My goal next year is to earn a starting spot as a freshman, either as a relief pitcher or a corner infielder.”

Jeff Paschke
(Photo credit – Shotgun Spratling)

He did become a regular, but more so in relief pitching role, although he continued to be a two-way player with the Peninsula Oilers in the Alaska Collegiate League in 2014.

During the 2015 season, Paschke became a one-way player concentrating strictly on pitching. He pitched for the Chatham Angles of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League and according to Jim Callis hit 95 mph on the radar gun.

In three years with the USC Trojans, Plaschke made 56 mound appearances, all but two in relief. Over 72 innings he posted a 4.88 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 44 walks.

Upon being drafted by the Dodgers last June his father, Mike Plaschke, tweeted: “Proud Papa today. Jeff was drafted by the Dodgers today. So blessed to see our son fulfill his dream.”

As mentioned, 22-year-old Jeff Paschke pitched but one inning with the Arizona League Dodgers in 2016. In the upcoming season it is quite possible that he and James Carter will again be teammates, perhaps beginning at extended spring training and then on to the Great Lakes Loons of the Class-A Midwest League.