PHOENIX, AZ.- Former West Chester University center fielder,
Carter Rust (Liberty Township, Ohio/Lakota West), signed a free agent contract with the San Francisco Giants organization earlier this week. The Golden Rams' center fielder, who joined West Chester as a transfer from the University of Charleston (W.V.) for the 2026 season, had an outstanding season and is expected to begin his pro career in Rookie ball with the Giants organization after reporting to their spring training home in Arizona following his signing earlier this week.
"I'd like to thank my parents, coaches, and countless teammates," started Rust. "This is something nobody can do on their own, and I am lucky enough to have surrounded myself with great people throughout my career who have helped me get to this point. I am extremely grateful to the Giants organization for giving me a chance to continue playing and prove myself at the highest level. I can't wait to represent myself, my family, and West Chester, the best I can in a professional uniform," concluded Rust.
Rust made an immediate impact for the Golden Rams in his first and only season wearing the Purple and Gold as the speedy center fielder, led the team in batting average at .348 (69-for-198) with 11 doubles, nine home runs, and a pair of triples, while scoring 63 runs and driving in 51 more. He also earned a spot on the SportsCenter Top-10 with an outstanding diving catch against Tampa in the first game of the Division II National Championship Series in Cary, North Carolina, in early June. In Cary, Rust batted .310 (9-for-29) with six runs scored and a team-best nine RBI, with a pair of home runs, including a 425-foot blast off the batter's eye against Tampa in the opening game of the National Championship series just a few innings before his diving catch. Rust had a team-best 20 multi-hit games, including five with three hits, and finished the year on a 15-game hitting streak, which lasted through the entirety of the Golden Rams' postseason run.
"I am thrilled for Carter as he has worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity," opened head coach
Mike LaRosa. "He is a true five-tool player with professional-caliber attributes across every aspect of the game. After having the privilege of watching him play this season, I believe the San Francisco Giants got an incredible player and person. Beyond his physical abilities, Carter possesses an exceptionally high baseball IQ, an unmatched work ethic, and is one of the best teammates I've ever had the pleasure of coaching. He will be a tremendous asset to the Giants organization, and I have no doubt he will thrive as he continues his professional career. Congratulations to Carter and his family on a well-deserved achievement," finished LaRosa.
Rust is the latest Golden Ram to earn his shot in pro baseball and is the first to sign a contract with an MLB organization immediately after completing his tenure as a Golden Ram since Braeden Fausnaught signed with the Phillies organization in 2022 following the Golden Rams run to the Division II Baseball National Semifinals.
The Ohio native is just the latest Golden Ram to sign a pro contract this summer, as infielder turned assistant coach
Casey Vaughan and pitchers
Kyle Lazer and
Julian Costa all inked independent league deals earlier this year. Vaughan signed with the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Pioneer League, while Costa and Lazer signed with the York Revolution and Lancaster Stormers in the Atlantic League in late June.
