If you drive out to a Little League Ballpark and ask any little kid what they want to be when they grow up, most will answer “a professional baseball player.”
Caleb Joseph, who was one of those kids before his time at Lipscomb, is living that dream, aiming for a roster spot with the Baltimore Orioles when spring training breaks.
The former Bison star got the call to join the big league team in Florida when the Orioles opened camp this winter.
Joseph is one of seven catchers in the rotation, meaning he will catch about every three games until the dust settles and the roster is filled. This will give him the opportunity to wear the official Baltimore Orioles jersey.
He comes by his baseball love naturally. Mom and Dad both graduated from Lipscomb and were involved with athletics. His dad, Mark, played baseball for the Bisons during the NAIA days. Caleb’s sister, Carly, currently cheers at Lipscomb.
Caleb’s younger brother, Corban, is also in the minor leagues and is working out with the New York Yankees. The young Joseph has been working with the major league stars after being called upon twice in the past week to play alongside Derek Jeter and Mark Teixeira. He also gets to learn from one of the best second basemen in the league, Robinson Cano.
Corban was drafted out of Franklin High School and bypassed college ball to try his hand in the majors.
While the Joseph brothers are both in the minor league stages, they work out together and push each other.
Caleb finally got to see Corban in action on the field last summer.
“It’s great to see him grow as a player.” Caleb said. “I haven’t seen him play in three years and to see the positive changes the Yankees have made with him is awesome.”
“It was great for our family to get to come down and see us play each other, Caleb said. “It was a very special moment.”
Caleb reported to spring training on Feb. 17 and is looking forward to playing with guys that he’s grown up watching like Vladimir Gurrerro and Derek Lee.
“The initial workouts have gone great,” Caleb said. “It’s been great weather down here in Florida and we’re getting after it. The pitchers have been doing a great job. We’ve got a great group of guys led by an awesome core of coaches.”
In 2010 he played in eight spring training games and had a batting average of .429.
April 1 is opening day for the Baltimore Orioles. Caleb hopes to see his name on the roster as the team heads to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays.