Full Transparency — Why I Started Baby Ball & the Texas Diamondbacks
I started Baby Ball and the Texas Diamondbacks for one simple reason: I want to give my son the best, most authentic baseball journey possible. In building that path for him, I believe I can help build that same kind of journey for other boys and families too.
Yes, this is personal. It starts with my son. That is exactly why I care so deeply about doing this the right way—for families, for development, and for the long-term baseball journey, not just for appearances.
I come from a rare baseball background and upbringing. I was raised in the game by 16-year Major League catcher Chad Kreuter (father) and Multi-NCAA National Champion Mike Gillespie (grandfather). I learned from Hall of Fame coaches and players, MLB and collegiate, competed for two of the most historic programs in college baseball with the USC Trojans and Miami Hurricanes, and went on to play professionally in the San Diego Padres organization.
I have seen elite baseball from the inside, and I have also seen the worst parts of the game. I have played for outstanding leaders and terrible ones. I have experienced what great culture, real development, and high-level standards look like, and I have seen firsthand how bad coaching and bad environments can derail players and families. I grew up in the era when old-school baseball and modern baseball were colliding, and that perspective shaped the way I see coaching, culture, leadership, communication, and player development.
As a player, I earned national recognition at a young age, including a Perfect Game rating of 10, national rankings, All-American honors, and selection in the 2009 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks despite a major injury that wiped out my high school senior season.
That is a big part of why I care so deeply about doing this the right way. The mission is not just to build better players. It is to help boys and families build a better baseball journey from the very beginning.
Resume
Background and experience
Academic History
Sports Management Worldwide
SMWW Baseball General Management and Scouting Course
University of Miami
2015 Graduate
B.A. in Liberal Arts
Baseball Scholarship
University of Southern California
2009–2010
Baseball Scholarship
Collegiate & Professional Playing Experience
University of Southern California Trojans
2010 Baseball Season
Infielder / Outfielder
University of Miami Hurricanes
2011 & 2012 Baseball Seasons
Infielder / Outfielder
San Diego Padres — MiLB
Infielder / Outfielder
AZL Padres — 2012
Dominican Instructional League — 2012
Eugene Emeralds — 2013
Miami Inferno — United Indoor Football League
Quarterback
Summer 2014
Certifications
Sports Management Worldwide
SMWW Certified Scout
K-Motion Baseball
Level 1 Certified
Yoga Alliance
Registered 200-Hour Yoga Teacher
Coaching Experience
The Thacher School — Head Coach
November 2019 – Ended during COVID-19
College of Marin — Assistant Head Coach
August 2018 – July 2019
Offensive and Defensive Coordinator
Pitch Catch Hit Baseball — Owner + Founder
June 2015 – August 2019
Academy focused on youth, high school, and collegiate player development and placement.
Marin Baseball Youth Organization — Coach
March 2018 – August 2019
St. Monica Catholic High School — Head Coach
September 2016 – February 2018
La Cañada High School — Head Freshman + JV Coach
November 2015 – August 2016
Varsity Sports Casting — Trainer + Actor
June 2010 – Summer 2015
Trained Moneyball actors Chris Pratt, Stephen Bishop, and Reed Thompson.
Miami Professional Baseball Institute — Coach
June 2013 – July 2014
Other Accolades & Honorable Mentions
2008 Under Armour All-American (Class of 2009)
2009 Rawlings & Perfect Game USA California Region All-High School Senior First Team
2009 Rawlings & Perfect Game USA Preseason Third Team All-American
Perfect Game rating of 10
Ranked No. 171 player in the nation in the 2009 high school class by Perfect Game
Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 41st round of the 2009 MLB Draft
Pac-10 Freshman of the Year Honorable Mention at USC
Contact
Connect with Coach Caden Kreuter
Program philosophy, Baby Ball, and long-term development
Reach out for coaching questions, Baby Ball information, or early interest in the Texas Diamondbacks. The goal is to build trust and clarity from the very beginning.
