re: Baseball Recruiting Discussion

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- SS/RHP Jordan Gore: The fact that there are other players at his position is the main reason that Gore is listed in this category. As a position player, the Conway native profiles as a middle infielder. Max Schrock is firmly entrenched at second base while Joey Pankake is a two-year starter at short. Rising sophomore DC Arendas has the best opportunity to challenge Pankake at short this year as Gore could use a season to focus on getting bigger, stronger and adjusting to the rigors of college baseball.

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- RHP Trey McNickle: The Gamecocks were lacking a different look on the mound in the 2012 season and McNickle has an opportunity to provide that look. That being said, he’s a walk-on and has a redshirt year available. Sidewinder Hunter Privette will be on the team next year, redshirting freshman Austin Hill and redshirting junior Kris Nelson both want spots on the team, too. Four sidearmers aren’t going to be kept to fill eight spots, so the competition will be fierce next season.

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- LHP Josh Reagan: A walk-on next year, Reagan would benefit from a year in the weight room. His velocity usually hovers around 83 mph from the left side but he really knows how to pitch. He should probably slide down into the “Future contributors” category but he’s been so successful at the high school level, I can’t rule out that he could play next year for the Gamecocks.

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- RHP Reed Scott: Probably the player closest to the above category, Scott is a strike-thrower who hits his spots at will. He pitches down in the zone and sports a fastball with good sink. He throws from a three-quarters arm slot most of the time but does move over the top occasionally and almost sidearm from time to time. He’s like former reliever Matt Price early in his career in what he did with his arm slot but is far from Price in velocity. Scott is a low-to-mid 80s kind of guy, which is what keeps him from being in the same category as Crowe and the like. Scott is a winner, gets a lot of ground balls, and knows how to pitch as well as anyone in the class. He probably won’t play a huge role as a freshman but he will over the course of his career.

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- RHP Jackson Smith: Initially, Smith was recruited as a reliever but he there’s a chance he could be used as a starting pitcher at South Carolina. He tore his ACL last fall and was slow to come back during his senior season of high school. He did, however, pitch well at the end of the year leading his Harselle High School team to the state championship.

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- RHP Matt Vogel: Just like with the draft, Vogel is very hard to project with regard to how he will perform next season. Reports to me have been mixed. Some have said he’s been as high as 95 mph on his fastball this high school season and shown a hard, tight breaking ball. If that was 100 percent truth, he would have been drafted high enough to sign. Others have said his velocity is down and he’s been inconsistent. What I do know is he went through his senior season healthy, which is big news for him after having some arm issues. He also works well with pitching coach Jerry Meyers, who has had him in camp before. I think he’ll have a nice career at South Carolina, but I don’t know that he’ll play a very big role next year as a freshman.

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Brandon Murray started the game for Navy. His first pitch registered 95 mph on most guns, although the stadium gun said 98. Murray, who attends Hobart (Ind.) High, sustained 92-94 mph through his two innings.

Although more than 300 players were in attendance, Murray, a South Carolina commit, was the only player from the Hoosier State, which has sent Indiana to the College World Series for the first time.

“As a Northern guy, it is a different preparation from guys on the West Coast or down South,” Murray said. “But it felt great to compete against the top talent across the country.”

Murray, a former three-sport athlete who decided to focus on baseball, has an athletic 6-foot-4, 200-pound build. With sloped shoulders, a tapered waist and strong legs, Murray has a prototypical pitcher’s frame. He throws from a three-quarter slot and has a quick arm. His fastball has good armside run, but there is some effort in his delivery.

Attending his first showcase, Murray struggled with his control at times, leaving his pitches up.

“Usually my go-to pitch is my slider, but something mechanical was off with my slider today,” Murray said. “My slider is usually my out pitch but I had better control of my changeup, so I went with it a little more than I usually go with it.”

On Thursday, Murray’s slider sat in the upper-70s and his changeup was 81-83 mph, showing some deception.

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• In his first inning, righthander Cameron Varga of Cincinnatti Hills Christian Academy, Loveland, Ohio (formerly of IMG Academy), sat 93-95 mph with his fastball. He settled into 90-92 in his second inning with a 78-83 spike curveball with good depth and a high-70s changeup. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound North Carolina commit throws from a three-quarter slot and gets good extension on his fastball.

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@johnmwhittle
#Gamecocks '14 RHP Tyler Johnson threw six innings, allowed one unearned run on six hits. Richmond Braves won tourney

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@johnmwhittle
Class of 2015 #Gamecocks RHP commit Kaleb Bowman threw 4 IP and allowed one run and 4 Ks in a showcase at UVA today.

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-- Class of 2015 left-handed pitcher Doug Gressly (Alexandria, Va./Bishop O’Connell) is a name to certainly keep an eye on. He doesn’t have an offer at this point but he’s someone who could pick one up very quickly. He pitches for the same Canes team as several current commitments. He’s been an outfielder most of his career but is just beginning to make the transition to the mound in a full-time capacity. He was 85-87 mph with his fastball in a recent outing and didn’t give up an earned run over three innings pitched. He’s 6-foot-2, 175 pounds and fits the mold of many of the left-handed pitchers who have come through the team in recent seasons. South Carolina is currently Gressley’s top school and he has family ties as his grandfather used to be a professor and his father was a football season ticket holder at one point.

-- Another class of 2015 arm, RHP Cody Morris (Laurel, Md./Reservoir), is another name to keep an eye on. Morris, a power righty, already has several offers to his credit, including one from Virginia. He’s ranked as the No. 88 player nationally in his class and he has high interest in the Gamecocks at this point. Morris will throw in a showcase this week in Columbia and South Carolina will make its offer and its pitch to him this weekend. A decision isn’t necessarily imminent for Morris but this will be an important week for South Carolina.

-- One 2014 player that the staff is going to take a close look at is right-handed pitcher Evan Warden (Kokomo, Ind./Western). Warden, who plays for Indiana Prospects in showcase baseball, pitched a total of 10 innings last weekend with 15 strikeouts. He didn’t give up any runs and only three hits. Warden’s fastball climbs into the upper 80s. He also throws a curve ball, slider, and changeup. He’s close with current 2014 commitment Brandon Murray (Hobart, Ind./Hobart). Warden has yet to visit South Carolina but the Gamecocks are his number one school. South Carolina coaches plan to see him in the U17 WWBA tournament in Marietta, Ga. the first week of July at the latest to evaluate him. He’s a player who has flown under the radar some.

-- Class of 2013 right-handed pitcher Tyler Haswell was recently named the Gwinnett Daily Post Pitcher of the Year. Haswell also pitch at Carolina Stadium on Wednesday night in a showcase game against the Upstate Mavericks. He allowed only one run in his outing. He showed an upper 80s fastball and very good feel for his changeup.

-- The aforementioned Brandon Murray (Hobart, Ind./Hobart) has seen a recent spike to his velocity. He was an upper 80s to 90 mph pitcher at the time of his commitment but has been into the mid-90s at the end of his high school season. Last week at the Perfect Game Underclassman Showcase, he hit 95 mph on his first pitch. With performances like that, Murray is certainly going to get his share of professional heat watching him this year. It’s too soon to say where guys will go, if they’ll sign, and those kinds of things right now but the 2014 class has a chance to be hit pretty hard by the MLB Draft. Of course, the 2013 class did, too, but the Gamecocks won this past draft season. We’ll see how 2014 plays out.

-- Other players we’ve heard very positive reports on over their first few weeks of summer baseball include 2013s: Outfielder Zack Madden … 2014s: RHP Tyler Johnson, who threw six innings for the Richmond Braves and allowed one unearned run against the top Diamond Devils U17 team; RHP Clarke Schimdt, who one scout told after watching him at PG National was going to be a great college arm as he continues to develop. 2B Jared Williams, who has played very well defensively and has impressed players we have spoken to on opposing teams. OF KJ Bryant, who threw 94 mph from the outfield at the PG National and has an accurate arm. … 2015s: SS LT Tolbert, who has been a consistent offensive producer for the Canes both for power and for average. LHP Kyle Anderson, who allowed one hit in three innings at PG National striking out three hitters. He topped at 84 mph but worked mainly in the low 80s. PG writes that “with his thin, medium build and easy arm action, it’s easy to expect a tick in Anderson’s stuff once he fills out a bit.”

-- Class of 2015 uncommitted catcher Matt Anderson showed why he’s considered one of the best defensive prospects at his position in his class. At the PG National Showcase, he registerd the second-best pop time at the event at 1.85.

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Destino, a two-way player with a power left-handed arm and plenty of home run power at the plate, entered the game on the mound in relief. Even though his team was down, the southpaw faced six batters and set all six down, which included four strikeouts.

Going against players committed to the likes of LSU, Virginia, and other power teams, Destino used his 90 mph fastball and power breaking ball in his 28-pitch performance.

“As a pitcher, you have to be confident,” Destino said. “I felt like I had my stuff; everything felt good, my command. I couldn’t complain about anything. I was getting ahead with the fastball and then controlling with the breaking ball.”

Destino earned the honor to pitch in the eight-team tournament earlier this year and participating was a no-brainer. The Weaverville, N.C. native jumped at the opportunity to play in the five-day event, which features one game on four days with another player evaluation day with bullpen sessions, 60-yard dashes, batting practice and fielding drills.

“I was blown away, no doubt,” Destino said of having the opportunity to play. “It’s a huge honor to play against the best kids in the country. Facing what we’ll face in the SEC and in college, it’s an honor to face this type of talent.”

Destino committed to the Gamecocks in August after receiving attention from various SEC and ACC schools. While it was a difficult decision to make, it was also an easy one in a lot of ways.

“It is a dream for any kid to go to a place like that winning national championships left and right,” Destino said. “When reality hits you and you’re recruited by a place like that, how can you turn that down? Coach Holbrook is an unbelievable guy and coach Meyers is one of my favorite coaches I’ve ever met. I’m going to be honored to play for them for three or four years.”

“It’s the best atmosphere I’ve ever been to,” Destino said. “The USC fans are the most loyal I’ve ever seen and it’s going to be an honor pitching in front of them.”

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@johnmwhittle
Jerry Meyers has to be impressed with what he just saw from 2014 RHP commit Brandon Murray 3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 1 K, 46 pitches. #Gamecocks

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@johnmwhittle
Gamecocks signee Nick Ciuffo. RT “@TBTimes_Rays: #Rays deal with top pick C Nick Ciuffo set to be announced on Friday.”

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The right-hander put together a big high school season and has followed that up with a couple of invitations to high-profile events. At Perfect Game National earlier this month in Minneapolis, Minn., Murray hit 95 mph on the radar gun, which is sure to vault him in the Perfect Game rankings.

On Thursday, Murray took the mound at the Team USA Baseball Complex in Cary, N.C. in his first appearance in the Tournament of the Stars. He faced a lineup that included commitments to Florida, UCLA, LSU, Virginia and Vanderbilt so the talent level was high.

“It’s the best talent in the country out here, no doubt,” Murray said. “Top to bottom, everyone can hit. It’s not like high school where some guys are stronger than others. You have to come out and compete every single day and give it your best every day.”

Murray, who was the first pitcher in relief in the game for his team, threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit. He walked one and struck out one in his 46-pitch outing.

His team went on to a comfortable victory and Murray was honored with the player of the game by the Tournament of the Stars.

“I was feeling pretty good,” Murray said. “I tried to go to my slider a lot. I tried to get ahead with the fastball and then throw the slider for strikes. I threw pretty well today and I’m pretty satisfied with it. You can’t really settle and try to get better each and every day.”

In addition to pitching, Murray also can play in the outfield and first base. He has the goal of being a two-way player at South Carolina but he is only performing as a pitcher at the Tournament of the Stars, a 144-player showcase tournament used to select the U18 National Team set to compete for the World Championships later this summer in Taiwan.

“I can probably be described as a power guy, a power pitcher,” Murray said. “I run my fastball up pretty decently but try to go to my off-speed often. I try to keep everything so I can throw all of my pitches for a strike at all times. I try to keep hitters off balance, change eye level, change planes and keep it unexpected so they don’t have any idea what’s coming.”

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Shortstop

The recruiting class will provide Arendas’ biggest challenger. Conway product Jordan Gore has had a lot of success at the high school level and will try to push for the position. Gore is a switch hitter with a patient approach at the plate. His strengths are working the opposing pitcher and he’s going to be a high on base percentage guy. Defensively, Gore has some good lateral quickness and a big time arm throwing across the diamond.

Similar to Arendas last year, Gore needs to work on his strength. While he hit .480 at the high school level, Gore had just six hits for extra bases - five doubles and a home run. Gore, typically, has an accurate arm from short but the ball doesn’t always go into his glove when fielding. He does have the tools to be a very good defensive shortstop though.

First base

Other options at first base include junior college infielder Elliott Caldwell from Spartanburg Methodist. He is expected to provide some offensive ability in the lineup but he, like Pankake, can factor in to numerous positions. Caldwell started at third base in junior college and can also play a corner outfield position.

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Left field

While it will be tough for either player to see any time this season, incoming freshmen Jae Roberts (Columbia/Hammond) and Zack Madden (Charleston/Bishop England) are also likely to start their careers playing some in left field.

Centerfield

Incoming freshman Gene Cone will also see some time in center during fall practice but it’s going to be tough for him to find the field next season.

What could prompt a move is the addition of incoming freshman Brock Maxwell (Suwanee, Ga./Lambert). The Peach State native is a player the coaching staff is very high on because he brings athleticism and toughness along with both hitting and defensive tools.

Right field

What could prompt a move is the addition of incoming freshman Brock Maxwell (Suwanee, Ga./Lambert). The Peach State native is a player the coaching staff is very high on because he brings athleticism and toughness along with both hitting and defensive tools.

Maxwell, who also played quarterback in high school, has gap power but he has enough speed to turn singles into doubles and also steal a base. He has a big arm in the outfield and reads the ball well off the bat. He’s one of few position players in the 2013 class projected to make an early impact and right field could easily be his home for three years beginning in the 2014 season.

Junior college transfer Elliott Caldwell (Piedmont/Spartanburg Methodist) is a bat that South Carolina will have to find a way to get into the lineup. He will work out at third base and the corner outfield positions in the fall in an effort to find a way to get him on the field in some manner.

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Class of 2014 right-handed pitcher commitment Clarke Schmidt (Acworth, Ga./Allatoona) was one of 144 players nationally invited to play in the Tournament of the Stars last week, a five-day event used to select the U18 National Team scheduled to compete in the World Championships in Taiwan later this summer.

Schmidt was his team’s starting pitcher in the featured game of the tournament. He threw opening night at the showcase stadium in front of dozens of scouts and coaches. It was an event with all of the host families invited out and fireworks planned following the game.

“It wasn’t my best stuff,” Schmidt said. “I felt good in the bullpen. My stuff was working but I was missing low and pulling away to the outside. I had to work myself back into the zone. I found it a little bit in the second inning but I couldn’t find it throughout it. I have to bounce back and be resilient.”

When on, Schmidt hovers in the upper 80s with some pitches in the low 90s but his real strength is hitting his spots. He can put his fastball where he wants to and locate his breaking pitches. In short, he’s a strike thrower and his pitch counts are typically low.

“Hopefully I can bounce back and show them what I have,” Schmidt said. “You have to put a night like this behind you. Baseball is kind of crazy; you’re going to always have failure. I have to bounce back and show I’m resilient.”

“All of the talent around here is crazy,” Schmidt said. “Everyone is a stud and there’s no lack of talent here. Being invited here makes you feel special. Just to be a candidate on the team is a real honor.”

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