Former Mandeville High pitcher Cole Cressend aims to reach the majors like his father

Cole Cressend, who prepped at Mandeville High School, signed an amateur free agent contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this week.

Congratulations to Cole Cressend on signing with the Dodgers! #TheBestIsOnTheBayou #TalonsOut pic.twitter.com/xG5C65SjUT

— ULM Baseball (@ULM_BSB) August 10, 2023

A three-year letterman at University of Louisiana Monroe, he follows his father Jack in pro baseball. Jack’s career consisted of 10 seasons, including five in the majors.

Cole was an All-District performer at Mandeville, followed by three seasons with ULM in which he posted a 4-12 win-loss record in 40 appearances. The 6’3”, 185 lb. right-hander struck out 74 in 113.1 innings pitched during his collegiate career.

Jack had also pitched for the Skippers, followed by three seasons (1994-96) at Tulane University. He signed with the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent in 1996. His five seasons in the majors were with the Minnesota Twins (2000-02) and the Cleveland Indians (2003-04). The right-hander posted a 5-5 record and 4.20 ERA in 112 major-league relief appearances. Jack’s baseball career continued as a scout, pitching consultant, and crosschecker for the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cressends add to an increasing trend of father-son combos pursuing professional baseball careers. Some of them are fortunate enough that both reach the major-league level.

You can bet Cole has his sights set on eventually following in his father’s footsteps as a big-leaguer. He’s got the pedigree in his favor.