Campus Newcomer: Ames C Carter Geffre

We continue the Iowa Baseball campus newcomers series, with a catcher from what is commonly known as Cyclone country around the state. However, Iowa State doesn’t have a baseball team, so everything is Hawkeye country in the baseball world. Ames catcher Carter Geffre is rated as the #1 catcher in Iowa and the #27 catcher in the country by Perfect Game.

After earning Third Team All-State honors as a sophomore, Carter earned First Team All-State honors during his junior year. Geffre batted .377, with a .574 on-base percentage, including 12 doubles, three home runs and 34 RBI’s for an Ames team that advanced all the way to the 4A State Championship game.

This past season for the Little Cyclones, Geffre batted .447, with a .607 on-baes percentage, including nine doubles, ten home runs and 27 RBI’s. He was recently invited to play in the Senior All-Star Series in Pella, which brings the best seniors across the state together to compete in their high school uniforms one more time. Once all the awards are all handed out, Carter will very likely be a three-time All-CIML selection and a three-time All-State selection, including two first team selections.

Listed at 6’4/225, Carter Geffre (‘24, IA) is a big & physical backstop who showed a lot of offensive upside today. Good look at the swing here as he barrels one to CF. Recorded a 98 mph exit velo & was up to 82 behind the plate w/ a 1.82 pop. #Hawkeyes commit @IowaPG #PGPreDraft pic.twitter.com/MRXMPGw2eR

— PG Showcases (@PGShowcases) May 12, 2024

We caught up the 6-foot-3, 220 pound catcher to preview his upcoming freshman season with the Hawkeyes.

Q: When do you move to Iowa City and what is your excitement level like for that move in day?

GEFFRE: I move in on August 21st. Very excited to get on campus and start familiarizing myself.

Q: What number do you plan to wear and why?

GEFFRE: Coming in as a freshman, not sure what number. I’ll have to sese what ends up being available. Hopefully at some point I’ll be able to put on my high school number 17.

Q: You recently got selected to play in the Senior All-Star Series in Pella. What did it mean to you to get selected to play in that event?

GEFFRE: It really means a lot. Coming from an area with a lot of good talent and to be one of the select few to be asked is pretty cool.

Q: You guy recently finished up the high school season. What are your plans for staying in baseball shape before you arrive at Iowa in the fall?

GEFFRE: I took a couple of day off, but I’m back in grind mode no. Lifting, hitting, throwing and running.

Q: Looking back at your recruitment, what stood out about the Iowa Baseball program that made them an easy choice over other schools?

GEFFRE: Their coaching staff. You can tell they care about their player a lot. Not just on the baseball side of things.

Q: Were there any other schoolss that you heavily considered during your recruitment?

GEFFRE: I got my offer from Iowa pretty early on and was excited to commit and focus from there to continue on improving my game.

Q: What is your relationship like with the coaching staff? Who do you talk with the most?

GEFFRE: Coach Heller and Coach Sutherland are who I converse with the most. Not too familiar with the other coaches. They’re really good guys and I’m looking forward to playing for them.

Q: If someone asked you, “what do you bring to the Iowa Baseball team?”, how would you describe your game?

GEFFRE: I’m bringing a bulldog mentality and I’m going to play the game the right way and hopefully be an inspiration to the future generation.

Q: Not only did you hit ten home runs for Ames, but you pitched as well, does the coaching staff see you as someone that can hit and pitch during your time at Iowa?

GEFFRE: I’m going in as a catcher, but we’ll see what transpires with being more of a utility player. I’m just excited to play wherever they need me.

Q: What is your relationship like with the other incoming freshman? Current players?

GEFFRE: I played travel ball with Karson Grout and will be rooming with him. I haven’t gotten a good chacne to really get to know any of the other guys, but I’m looking forward to it.

Q: What are your goals for your freshman season at Iowa? What areas of your game do you want to improve?

GEFFRE: Obviously to earn a role somewhere on the field and aim to dominate whatever that role is. I want to make myself better and my teammates around me. I also want to inspire the next generation of players.