re: Baseball Recruiting Discussion

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- UTIL Elliott Caldwell: The two biggest attributes that will get Caldwell on the field quickly are his versatility and his bat. Caldwell can play various positions - corner infield, corner outfield, and has also experimented at catcher - and that will help him find a role. On the surface, the obvious answer is for Caldwell to play at third base, which is where he spent most of his one-year stint at Spartanburg Methodist. While he had some issues defensively at the position, the staff has a favorable view of him at that position but while there are some questions about where he’ll fit defensively, one aspect that goes unquestioned is that he’ll hit. He’s probably not a middle-of-the-order hitter but should fit nicely somewhere close to the six-hole.

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- RHP Canaan Cropper: While he doesn’t have the stature typically associated with a hard-thrower, Cropper is one of a few guys in this class who can bring a power arm immediately into the mix. The Gamecocks had a shortage of right-handed relievers and Cropper is someone I envision coming in to fill that role immediately. I think his fit as a freshman is out of the bullpen. A low-90s fastball with a plus slider has served many players well out of the bullpen.

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- RHP Wil Crowe: Maybe my expectations are too high for Crowe but I think there’s a legitimate possibility he can be in the weekend rotation by the midpoint of Southeastern Conference play. Crowe has good stuff - a fastball that will hang around 90 mph and tight curve ball - but what he also brings to the table is the toughness and strike-throwing ability that South Carolina pitchers are known for having. He is aggressive, confident, and a workhorse. While I was a bit on the young side and not evaluating talent at the ripe age of 16, I think he’s similar to former Gamecock Peter Bauer.

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- C Logan Koch: Even though he may be a recruit flying a bit under the radar, Koch is someone who is almost certain to have a role next season. Rising junior Grayson Greiner will catch the vast majority of the games next year but there will be around 15 games or so that he will need to rest. Koch should be the player to fill the void. At the time of his commitment, Koch was mainly a catch-and-throw guy. Now, he’s added some weight, muscle, improved his switch-hitting swing, and should be able to shoulder a double-digit game load.

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- OF Brock Maxwell: Upon first blush, it wouldn’t appear as though Maxwell has a role to move into next season. All three starting outfielders return and Maxwell can’t move to the infield. The Lambert High School product is, however, one of the recruits in the 2013 class that the coaches are highest on and the belief is he can come in and contribute right away. Corner outfielders Graham Saiko and Connor Bright are both versatile players and could move into the infield if Maxwell comes in and wins a spot immediately. Maxwell’s best attributes include his ability to use all fields, his arm and athleticism. He’ll develop a little more pop as he goes but I believe he projects long term as a right fielder.

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- RHP Cody Mincey: Scholarship junior college players are expected to come in and contribute immediately. Mincey, who fits the bill, has a chance to be the closer next year replacing Tyler Webb. A slightly-built right-hander, Mincey attacks hitters from different arm slots and has a low-90s fastball with sink and a slider.

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- LHP John Parke: Parke provides something that the Gamecocks are sorely lacking - a power arm from the left side. Parke made a nice jump his senior year both in velocity and consistency. Former South Carolina southpaw Arik Hempy was his high school pitching coach this year and Parke became not only an elite high school pitcher, but a guy that caught the eye of professional scouts as a top 10 round kind of pick. Parke projects as a reliever but he should grow into a starter as early as his sophomore season.

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- 1B/OF/RHP Taylor Widener: Where he plays is still a bit of a mystery but Widener will be on the field somewhere at points as a freshman. Is he an everyday player his first year? No, not likely, to me, he projects the best early in his career as a hitter but he will find himself on the mound some, too. I think he’ll end up as a 10-15 game starter as the designated hitter providing some juice from the left side.

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