By Mike McGough

The State Hornet, CSU Sacramento

Few high school players that put on their cleats and take the diamond get the chance to do so at the major-league level.

Even fewer get to do it within a two-hour drive of their hometown.

This is the case for San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Susac.

A high-level prospect, the 24-year-old was called up to the Giants on July 26 after concussion symptoms sidelined backup catcher Hector Sanchez. For the past two months, it has been Susac sharing battery duty with the accomplished arms of the Giants pitching staff two or three games a week, giving 2012 National League MVP Buster Posey rest as needed.

A native of Roseville and alumnus of Jesuit High School in Carmichael, Susac plays his home games at AT&T Park in San Francisco, not far from where it all began.

“It’s a dream come true,” Susac said. “I grew up watching the Giants, going to Candlestick [Park] with my dad.”

Susac’s family and friends in Roseville attend as many games as possible to show their support for him. When his Triple-A team, the Fresno Grizzlies, would travel to play the Sacramento River Cats, Susac was allowed to sleep in his old bed back in Roseville.

He stays in touch with his teammates from Jesuit as well.

“You build a nice family at a school like Jesuit where everyone seems to know each other and root each other on,” Susac said.

Susac praised Jesuit for helping him develop the time management skills needed to advance his talents, and mentioned Jesuit baseball head coach Joe Potulny as a part of his support system.

Potulny remembers the catcher’s high school days well.

“He’s the only guy that, before he left high school, I said, ‘If he remains injury-free with his arm, he will play in the major leagues,’” said Potulny, who has over 25 years of coaching experience.

The talent was there early. Susac, who played catcher all four years in high school, had a major league arm at 16 years of age and ran well for his position, Potulny said.

Susac cited the involvement of his father and his uncle as instrumental in his development from a 5-year-old tee-baller to a major league catcher.

“My dad and my uncle both got me into baseball from a young age,” Susac said. “They’ve made me who I am today as a man and as a baseball player.”

The player Susac is today appears to be a solid one. Susac posted a .297 average with a pair of home runs in August as the Giants went 16-12 and bettered their odds of making the postseason. Susac’s arm, major-league ready for eight years, has gunned down seven of the 21 runners who have tried to steal on him as of Sept. 18.

In his major league debut on July 26 at AT&T Park, Susac had just one at bat as a pinch hitter. In what Susac described as his only nervous moment thus far at the MLB level, he made an out against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, as many hitters have been known to do.

Aware of Susac’s call-up, Potulny watched this at bat live on TV. Potulny, who has kept in contact with Susac via text message, hopes to give Susac a call once the season is over.

As his former coach, Potulny takes no ownership over Susac. He described his experience coaching future major leaguers as a point of gratitude more so than pride.

“His dad and his uncle had him dialed in before he ever got to high school,” Potulny said. “I’m grateful to be associated with so many good young men that are making their mark in baseball.”

Susac is one of five Jesuit alumni to have made it to the show, a list that includes active Dodgers relief pitcher J.P. Howell.

Both Susac and Potulny credit spirituality as a source of success.

“My grandparents were Catholic, my parents were Catholic, I went to Catholic schools growing up,” Susac said. “They gave me a good start on life and Jesuit especially gave me a good heads-up before I went to college.”

Susac says that his only plan for the future is to get better and “climb the ladder” as his baseball career progresses.

With his home crowd behind him in Roseville and his Jesuit family rooting for him, Susac’s journey in the majors has just begun.