RADFORD, Va. – Radford University's baseball program has announced the addition of Daniel Carte to the field staff as the Highlanders' volunteer assistant coach.
 
Carte, a native of Hurricane, W.Va., joins Radford's staff as a rookie coach following a standout college career and six seasons in professional baseball.  His duties include assisting in all aspects of the program, with specific regard to program operations and managing Joe Raccuia Baseball Camps LLC.   On the field, Carte will coach first base, and focus on hitters and outfielders.
 
“It's an honor to have Daniel in our program,” Raccuia says.  “He's one of the more prolific hitters in the history of this league and had a solid professional career.  Hopefully his experiences, along with his commitment to joining this profession, will take him a long way.   We are very fortunate to have someone who is this highly-thought-of and recommended to join our program.”
 
The 52nd overall pick in the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies out of Winthrop, Carte is the highest pick in the history of the Big South Conference.
 
Carte had a decorated collegiate career at Winthrop (2003-05), capped off by leading the Eagles to the 2005 Big South Tournament title and earning MVP honors in the process.   In addition, Carte was a second team All-America pick in '05.  The league's freshman of the year in 2003 and a three-time First Team All-Big South selection, Carte ranks in Winthrop's career top-five in home runs (42) and total bases (432). His 19 homers in 2005 remain a program best.
 
Carte played five seasons in the Rockies organization and a season of independent baseball.
 
His first taste of coaching came this past summer in the Cape Cod League, when he joined the field staff for the Falmouth Commodores – Carte was the league MVP with Falmouth in 2004.   The Commodores advanced to the league championship series after finishing fourth in the Western Division during the regular season.
 
“From the experiences I have, I feel I can simplify the game – letting the players know what's important and giving a reference point from my own experiences, something that can really help,” Carte says.
 
Carte is working towards his degree in sport management from Winthrop.  He is married to the former Mallory O'Dell.