Nolan Traeger ’24 has had quite the adventure-filled beginning to his senior year at Concordia. Less than one week into the new school year, Traeger found himself in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. with the USA Baseball 18U Team Trials where he competed for a spot on the National team.
Out of over 40 qualified, elite, and talented players from across the country, Traeger showed that he is still one of the top catcher prospects in all the land by making the team as one of their three catchers on the 20-man roster.
The 18U Team USA roster also includes two other Texas-based players that are both LHPs, one from Missouri City and the other from Alvin, Texas. California led the way with seven of the 20 players hailing from the Golden State. The other 10 players are from Georgia (2), Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Shortly after the final 18U team was announced, those players flew to Taiwan at the end of August and will be there to take part in the U-18 Baseball World Cup. The first game will be Thursday, Aug. 31st at 9:30 PM CST as the Americans take on the Dutch team from the Netherlands. Team USA will have other pool play games against Spain, Japan, Panama, and Venezuela before the Super Round begins on Sept. 6th. To watch any of the games, visit https://gametime.sport/ to purchase access.
In 2021, as a sophomore, Traeger made his first Team USA national youth team for the 15U squad. Other CLHS Alumni who have earned Team USA roster spots and donned the Red, White, and Blue jerseys include RHP Shane Baz ’17 (Tampa Bay Rays), 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes ’15 (Pittsburgh Pirates), and RHP Glenn Otto ’14 (Texas Rangers).
Head Baseball Coach, Royce Kennedy, had this to share: “We are so proud of Nolan’s accomplishments on making such as pristine team. Any time that you can represent Team USA is an opportunity of a lifetime. We cannot wait to hear about his experience of playing against other countries.”
Committed to play at TCU next year alongside his older brother, RHP Jax Traeger ’22, Nolan has been a key part of the Crusader Baseball program since stepping on campus. A varsity contributor each season, Traeger has been selected to multiple All-District and All-State teams.
In 2022, as a sophomore, Traeger earned TAPPS 6A 1st Team All-State and All-District honors. Last year in 2023, he was selected to the All-District team again and was 2nd Team All-State. In each of his three seasons at Concordia, Traeger has helped the team reach at least the State Final Four, including the State Runner-Up honor in 2021.
Nolan is the middle son of Jim and Erin Traeger. Older brother, Jax ’22, is a RHP for TCU, which made the 2023 College World Series last Spring. Younger brother, Reid ‘27, is also a member of the Concordia Baseball program. Good luck, Nolan, and we know you’ll do great!
---
To learn more about the Baseball at Concordia, visit www.sadernationtx.com/baseball
Team USA 18U National Team Schedule: https://www.usabaseball.com/team-usa/18u/schedule
Team USA 18U National Team Roster: https://www.usabaseball.com/team-usa/18u/roster
Video Feature from FOX26: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7w9gqFAubI