It’s tough to follow a Hall of Fame father with all the pressure and impossible expectations. For Carsten Sabathia III, son of legendary pitcher CC Sabathia, that spotlight is currently shining brighter than ever. For the upcoming slugger on the brink of the 2025 MLB Draft, it’s not just about what he does on the field. It’s a legacy to navigate. And in a candid moment, CC Sabathia highlighted a stark personality difference that may be the key to his son handling it all.

Carsten, a slugging first baseman from the University of Houston, is looking for a fresh start at the upcoming MLB Draft Combine. The event, held from June 17-21, represents one of the best chances for prospects to make an impression. After a standout high school career, his collegiate stats have been more modest. This makes his performance in front of scouts and executives at the Combine absolutely critical. It’s an opportunity for him to rewrite his story and show he is not simply the myth of a player outlined on the back of his jersey.

In a recent interview tweeted by MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, CC Sabathia was asked if he and his son share similar personalities. The big lefty’s answer was immediate and direct. “No, not at all,” he exclaimed with a laugh. When pressed on the difference, he explained, “I’m way more hot-headed. I’m good with confrontations. He thinks through everything. He’s kind of got his mom’s personality, which is good.” This honest admission paints a stark contrast of two very different men dealing with the same demanding sport.

The future Hall of Famer’s “hot-headed” nature is well-documented. CC’s philosophy was simple. “If you don’t want to see someone pimp a home run, don’t give it up… And when I beat you… I get to dance and yell.” This old-school fire often led to on-field confrontations, including ejections and a shouting match with Avisaíl García that cleared both benches. As former Yankees manager Aaron Boone once aptly noted, the big lefty “runs a little hot.”

This stands in stark contrast to Carsten’s calm and focused demeanor. The young slugger lives by a “one day at a time” mantra, trying not to get too high or too low. His strong work ethic is his trademark. “I know he’s going to play in the Big Leagues because of his work ethic,” his father proudly stated. It is also his focus that led Carsten to be a first baseman rather than a pitcher, just wanting to be in the mix every day rather than once in five.

But beyond his impressive demeanor, what does Carsten’s baseball profile actually look like?

The 2025 MLB draft: A class of elite talent

Carsten was an elite player in high school and held a national ranking during his time at Bergen Catholic. Perfect Game ranked him the No. 3 first baseman in the country. During his senior year, he put up impressive numbers, hitting .363 with four home runs and 30 RBIs. His early promise made him a top prospect coming out of New Jersey and built high expectations for his collegiate career.

His time at the University of Houston has been a struggling ride. In his junior year of 2025, Carsten batted .235 with a .703 OPS with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 27 games. And despite flashes of power, like a 102-mile-per-hour home run in the MLB Draft League, his collegiate statistics couldn’t match his high school accomplishments. And that makes his upcoming performance at the Draft Combine all the more important.

The 2025 draft class is loaded with elite talent at the top.

Shortstop Ethan Holliday, a high schooler, is among the top candidates for the first overall pick. Other top prospects are L.S.U. lefthanded pitcher Kade Anderson and another prep shortstop, Eli Willits. The class is headlined by high-end up-the-middle defenders and high-ceiling college arms. Quite a bit of competition for a first base prospect like Carsten.

The statistical difference between Carsten and these top prospects is stark. While Carsten posted a .235 average in college, elite high school hitters such as Holliday (.611 AVG, 19 HR) and Willits (.610 AVG, 10 HR) produced video-game stats. This contrast is why MLB Pipeline does not rank Carsten on its list of the Top 200 prospects.

So, the Combine is his chance to prove his raw tools are closer to that elite tier.