“I don’t care if I throw a baseball ever again as long as it means I could help a younger athlete in the same situation by sharing my story.”
Fifteen-year-old baseball player Cade Kuehler lived a life that most kids could only dream of; he was a healthy, talented athlete, came from a loving family with two parents and an older brother, was a gifted student in the classroom, and had the world at his fingertips. But, like anyone, you can never judge a book by its cover.
Finding his footing as a high school student-athlete, Kuehler was quick to be noticed by coaches on a local and national level, constantly praised for his athleticism and talents on the mound, he gathered lots of attention from college coaches and major league scouts across the nation.
Still trying to navigate his role in the classroom and on the field, the Waxhaw, North Carolina native noted this time to be the beginning of a long, treacherous mental health journey.
“I just always felt like I was under a microscope. Every move I made, whether it was good or bad, was always being criticized, which is a lot of pressure for a kid,” plead Kuehler.
These daunting feelings carried on for months and years at a time, which led to a feeling of self control, Cade emphasized. Competing with his internal monologue while trying to navigate uncharted waters both internally and externally, he evidently felt as though it was a battle he would never overcome, where he then decided he “wanted to be done.”
As discussed in a video Kuehler shared on social media, he highlighted his first attempt to take his own life after feeling suffocated by all the pressure and negativity he was experiencing. After surviving the attempt, he found what he believed to be a sign.
“I went back up to my room and checked my phone, which had a notification from my Bible app to read Psalm 23:4. After reflecting on that, I realized that God had a plan for me and gave me this borrowed time to use to help others, which is what I intend to do.”
Despite the formidable circumstances that suggested a long road ahead, that same fifteen year old kid took on the challenge to use these experiences as wisdom and motivation to overcome these feelings. Kuehler never sought out mental counseling, nor confided in family or friends, but turned to scripture as it was the beacon of hope he found in this darkness. With his newfound strength and belief, he tested his own resilience and came out stronger.
“We never had a clue he struggled with any of this, not until he told us about four years later,” emphasized his older brother, Chase. “That’s a tough age for any kid, and it’s no secret he was under insane amounts of pressure. Maybe it’s hindsight bias, but they certainly felt like he went through a big personal shift, and I can’t help but think that was where it came from.”
Kuehler went on to play Division I baseball at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina, where he found immediate success on the rubber, helping his team to back-to-back Big South Championships.
After an incredibly impactful rookie season in 2021, the freshman found himself on the roster of the Ocean State Waves, a team in one of the most competitive summer leagues in the country. The Carolina native also earned himself a spot on the 2022 USA Collegiate National Team, where he competed against the world’s top talent.
Following his third and final collegiate season, Kuehler was named First-Team All Big South, and Second Team All-American, to which he then declared for the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft. Just two short months later, Kuehler was the 70th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft, taken by the Atlanta Braves.
“It’s moments like that that make it all worth it, but if I could talk to that kid at fifteen and tell him to let go of the small stuff and stay true to who he was, he’d be saved a lot of suffering.”
Kuehler competed his rookie year with the Single-A Augusta Green Jackets, and was promoted to the High-A affiliate shortly before suffering a UCL tear that prematurely ended his season.
Due to the nature of the injury, lots of alone time in recovery and rehabilitation is in store. With this, presents more opportunity for growth, as Kuehler emphasized he has learned to take full advantage of while he has the chance.
“I’ve learned to be incredibly adaptive and find the silver lining in each situation, that’s what has kept me grounded,” said Kuehler.
With a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management with a minor in Health and Wellness, he decided to pursue a Masters degree in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from the Louisiana State University, which he has made a priority in the downtime acquired from his injury.
With the obvious intent of playing baseball for as long as his body will allow, Kuehler wants to one day own a performance center designed for young athletes looking to take their talents to the next level. The goal for this facility is to prioritize athlete’s development, while creating a positive atmosphere that embraces transparency about the struggles athletes face on a daily basis.
He aims to employ individuals equipt to train athletes to the best of their physical capabilities, as well as mental health counselors and sports psychologists to end the negative stigma surrounding mental health within sports.
“I’ve been granted such a unique opportunity to do good with what I have, and I feel as though I was called to help others. I want to help open up the dialogue about what young athletes face every day, and hopefully people hear my story and feel inspired, knowing that there’s always a new chapter.”
Despite facing challenges throughout the next chapters of his own life, he praises his calling to pull through as he wants to be a beacon of hope for others. While some may view it as a sensitive topic, Kuehler emphasized his openness as he hopes to encourage others to come forward about their feelings, because opening the conversation can save lives.
“When my time comes, I’ll rest happily knowing I did all that I could to help someone else find their purpose, I don’t care if that means I have to give up the game.”