Sept. 22, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina baseball’s recruiting class has been ranked No. 2 in the nation as announced by Collegiate Baseball on Tuesday morning. The class consists of 19 newcomers.

“We are very excited for this year’s recruiting class,” said South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook. “It is a deep group of newcomers with some of the top prep players in the country as well as a group of standout junior college players. Eight of the 19 newcomers have been selected in the MLB Draft and we had several players turn down six-figure signing bonuses to come to school.”

2015 RECRUITING CLASS

Kyle Anderson ââ’¬” LHP – Evans, Ga. (Evans HS)
– Rated No. 409 best prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 41 best prospect in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game
– As a senior in 2015, went 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched
– Twin brother Matt is a catcher and has signed and will play at Georgia Southern
– Played for Georgia Roadrunners AAU team

Danny Blair ââ’¬” OF – Bel Air, Md. (IMG Academy, Fla.))
– Rated No. 240 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 143 best high school prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 30 best high school outfielder in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 2 best high school prospect in the state of Maryland by Perfect Game
– Played for Evoshield Canes AAU team
– Won WWBA World Championship in October 2014
– Won WWBA National Championship in 2013 and 2014. Named 2013 tournament MVP and hit .416.
– Prepped at Gilman HS before attending IMG Academy

Colie Bowers – RHP – Lexington, S.C. (USC Sumter)
– 2015 NJCAA honorable mention All-America honors
– As a sophomore in 2015 at USC Sumter went 9-2 with a 2.14 ERA in 92.1 innings with 97 strikeouts and a 2.14 ERA, ranked 11th in the junior college ranks in strikeouts
– Helped lead USC Sumter to 2015 NJCAA World Series and 2015 Region X Eastern District championship
– Spent 2013 season at College of Charleston
– Prepped at Lexington HS in Lexington, S.C.
– As a senior in high school in 2012, rated No. 17 best right-handed pitcher in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– 2012 North/South All-Star selection

Jonah Bride ââ’¬” INF – Owasso, Okla. (Neosho JC, (Kan.))
– Earned 2015 second-team NJCAA All-America honors
– Earned 2015 first-team All-Jayhawk Conference honors
– As a freshman at Neosho JC in 2015, hit .471 with a single-season school record of 96 hits with 14 HR and 93 RBI. His 93 RBI ranked third-highest in junior college
– Prepped at Owasso HS where he earned 2014 Louisville Slugger HS All-America honors by Collegiate Baseball
– Helped lead Owasso HS to a 36-0 record and a 6A state championship in Oklahoma in 2013
– Owasso HS finished 2013 ranked No. 4 in the nation in the final Baseball America/National High School Baseball Coaches Association Top 25

Chris Cullen ââ’¬” C – Cumming, Ga. (West Forsyth HS)
– 2015 MLB Draft selection (38th round/Oakland A’s)
– Rated No. 233 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Baseball America
– Rated No. 416 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 172 best high school prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 22 best high school prospect in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game
– Named second-team Underclass All-American by Perfect Game
– Helped lead West Forsyth HS to 2015 6-AAAAAA Region Co-Championship
– As a senior in 2015, hit .301 with two HR and 15 RBI
– As a junior in 2014, hit .424 with a .500 on-base percentage with 25 runs and 25 RBIs with West Forsyth
– Played for Georgia Legends and 6-4-3 DP Cougars AAU teams

Ross Grosvenor – 1B – Franklin, Tenn. (Walters State CC)
– Played in Cape Cod League in summer of 2015 with Cotuit Kettleers
– Earned 2015 third-team NJCAA All-America honors
– Helped lead Walters State to 2015 NJCAA World Series, named to NJCAA World Series All-Tournament team
– 2015 NJCAA Marucci Elite Hitter award for East Central District
– As a sophomore in 2015 at Walters State, hit .426 (95-for-223) with 20 HR and 94 RBI (second-highest in the nation), a .529 on-base percentage and a .789 slugging mark; added 21 doubles and 70 runs scored
– As a freshman in 2014 at Walters State, hit .260 (25-for-96) with 3 HR and 14 RBI
– Prepped at Battle Ground Academy

Hayden Heflin ââ’¬” RHP – Summerville, S.C. (Spartanburg Methodist College)
– As a sophomore in 2015 at Spartanburg Methodist went 2-3 with a 1.40 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 25.2 innings
– As a freshman in 2014 at Spartanburg Methodist tallied a save and struck out 14 batters in 18.2 innings with a 3.86 ERA, helped lead SMC to 2014 NJCAA World Series
– Prepped at Pinewood Prep HS

Adam Hill ââ’¬” RHP – Anderson, S.C. (T.L. Hanna HS)
– 2015 MLB Draft selection (39th round/San Diego Padres)
– Rated No. 3 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Rated No. 8 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 2 best right-handed pitcher in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Earned 2015 South Carolina AAAA All-State honors
– Named to 2015 SC Select Team
– As a senior in 2015 at T.L. Hanna went 9-2 with a 1.13 ERA with 111 strikeouts in 68 innings
– As a junior in 2014 at T.L. Hanna went 9-0 with a 1.02 ERA with 100 strikeouts in 82.0 innings
– Helped lead T.L. Hanna HS to 2014 and 2015 Region I-AAAA titles
– Played for Evoshield Canes South AAU team

TJ Hopkins ââ’¬” OF – Summerville, S.C. (Summerville HS)
– Earned 2015 first-team HS All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball
– Rated No. 7 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Rated No. 7 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 2 outfielder in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Rated No. 3 outfielder in the state of South Carolina by Perfect Game
– Earned 2015 South Carolina AAAA All-State honors
– Named to 2015 SC Select Team
– Named to 2015 Diamond Prospects’ Golden Glove team
– As a senior in 2015, hit .371 (33-for-89) with two homers, 18 RBI, 40 runs scored, three triples, 23 stolen bases, a .517 on-base percentage and a .562 slugging percentage
– Named CABA national championship MVP
– Played for Diamond Devils AAU team

John Jones ââ’¬” C – Orlando, Fla. (State College of Florida)
– 2014 MLB Draft selection (39th round/Minnesota Twins)
– As a freshman in 2015 at State College of Florida, hit .340 (66-for-194) with 23 doubles, two homers, 30 runs and 37 RBI, also a .439 on-base percentage
– Prepped at Orangewood Christian HS
– As a senior in high school in 2014, rated as No. 193 best high school prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– As a senior in high school in 2014, rated as No. 25 best high school catcher in the nation by Perfect Game
– As a senior in high school in 2014, rated as No. 38 best high school prospect in the state of Florida by Perfect Game
– Played for Orlando Scorpions AAU team

Cody Morris ââ’¬” RHP – Laurel, Md. (Reservoir HS)
– 2015 MLB Draft selection (32nd round/Baltimore Orioles)
– Rated No. 250 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 265 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Baseball America
– Rated No. 70 best high school prospect in the nation by Baseball America
– Rated No. 73 best high school prospect in the nation by D1Baseball
– Rated No. 78 best high school prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 26 best high school right-handed pitcher in the nation by Perfect Game
– Top high school prospect in the state of Maryland by Perfect Game
– As a senior in 2015 at Reservoir, went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 12.0 innings
– 2014 HS Louisville Slugger first-team HS All-American by Collegiate Baseball
– Named first-team Underclass All-American by Perfect Game
– Played for Evoshield Canes AAU team
– Went 8-1 with .99 ERA and 88 strikeouts as a junior in 2014 at Reservoir HS; helped lead team to 2014 Maryland 3A state championship; pitched complete game two-hit shutout in title game vs. North Harford
– 2014 Gatorade Maryland Baseball Player of the Year
– Two-time Howard County Pitcher of the Year
– Won WWBA World Championship in October 2014
– Won WWBA National Championship in 2013 and 2014

DJ Neal ââ’¬” OF – Stone Mountain, Ga. (Stephenson HS)
– 2015 MLB Draft Selection (32nd round/Atlanta Braves)
– Attending South Carolina on a football scholarship as a wide receiver
– Rated No. 197 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 352 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Baseball America
– Rated as No. 45 best high school prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated as No. 53 best high school prospect in the nation by D1Baseball
– Rated No. 10 best high school prospect in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game
– Played for GBSA Rays AAU team

Hank Nichols ââ’¬” LHP – Greenville, S.C. (J.L. Mann HS)
– Rated tied for No. 15 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Rated No. 17 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Perfect Game
– Top rated left-handed pitcher in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Earned 2015 South Carolina AAAA All-State honors
– Helped lead J.L. Mann HS to South Carolina AAAA state title game; starting pitcher in title game
– As a senior in 2015 at J.L. Mann went 7-3 with a 2.83 ERA with 67 strikeouts in 59.1 innings
– Played for Diamond Devils AAU team

Colton Provey ââ’¬” RHP – Columbia, Tenn. (Walters State CC)
– Helped lead Walters State to 2015 NJCAA World Series
– As a sophomore in 2015, went 6-1 with a 2.42 ERA and 10 saves, tied for sixth in NJCAA; Struck out 62 batters in 48.2 innings in 27 relief appearances
– As a freshman in 2014, tallied a save and struck out 12 batters in 12.2 innings pitched
– Prepped at Columbia Central HS

Harrison Smith ââ’¬” RHP – Mt. Pleasant, S.C. (Wando HS)
– Rated No. 22 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 17 best right-handed pitcher in the state of South Carolina by Diamond Prospects
– Helped lead Wando HS to South Carolina AAAA state championship; starting pitcher in title game, a 6-4 win over J.L. Mann
– As a senior in 2015 at Wando went 6-3 with a 2.33 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 60 innings
– Played for Diamond Devils AAU team

Dom Thompson-Williams ââ’¬” OF – Sioux City, Iowa (Iowa Western CC)
– Earned 2015 honorable mention NJCAA All-America honors
– Helped lead Iowa Western to consecutive trips to the NJCAA World Series in 2014 and 2015
– Helped lead Iowa Western to 2014 NJCAA National Championship at 2014 NJCAA World Series
– 2014 MLB Draft selection (19th round/St. Louis Cardinals)
– Rated No. 35 best junior college prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– As a sophomore in 2015, hit .409 (65-for-159) with 10 doubles, three triples and five homers as well as 51 RBI
– As a freshman in 2014 hit .407 with 14 doubles, seven triples, five homers and 44 RBI
– Prepped at Sioux City East HS where he was 2013 Gatorade Iowa High School Player of the Year
– Three-time All-State selection in baseball

LT Tolbert ââ’¬” INF – Piedmont, S.C. (IMG Academy, (Fla.))
– 2015 MLB Draft selection (34th round/New York Mets)
– Rated No. 120 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by D1Baseball
– Rated No. 213 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 278 best overall prospect for 2015 MLB Draft by Baseball America
– Rated No. 84 best high school prospect in the nation by D1Baseball
– Rated No. 94 best high school prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated No. 2 best high school prospect in the state of South Carolina by Perfect Game
– As a senior in 2015, hit .320 with two homers and 25 RBI
– Named first-team Underclass All-American by Perfect Game
– Played for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in the fall of 2014
– Played for Evoshield Canes AAU team
– Played in 2014 Under Armour All-America Game and was named UA Silver Spikes American MVP. He went 2-for-2 with two singles and the game-winning RBI
– Won WWBA World Championship in October 2014
– Won WWBA National Championship in 2013 and 2014
– Prepped at Wren HS before joining IMG Academy
– 2012 and 2013 SC AAA All-State at Wren HS

Braden Webb ââ’¬” RHP – Owasso, Okla. (Owasso HS)
– 2015 MLB Draft selection (38th round/Cleveland Indians)
– Rated in 2014 as the No. 131 best high school prospect in the nation by Perfect Game
– Rated in 2014 No. 3 best high school prospect in the state of Oklahoma by Perfect Game
– Rated in 2014 No. 4 best high school prospect in the state of Oklahoma by Perfect Game
– Helped lead Owasso HS to a 36-0 record and a 6A state championship in Oklahoma in 2013, winning pitcher in title game with a three-hit complete game
– Owasso HS finished 2013 ranked No. 4 in the nation in the final Baseball America/National High School Baseball Coaches Association Top 25
– Played for Evoshield Canes AAU team; squad won 2013 PG WWBA World Championship

Caleb Whitenton – 1B – Alto, Ga. (Gainesville HS)
– Helped lead Gainesville HS to 2015 GHSA AAAAA state championship series
– As a junior in 2014 at Gainesville HS, hit .340 with 8 homers

2015 NCAA Div. I Recruiting Results By Collegiate Baseball
1. Florida
2. South Carolina
3. Mississippi St.
4. Georgia Tech.
5. Vanderbilt
6. UCLA
7. Louisiana St.
8. Oregon
9. South Florida
10. Auburn
11. Virginia
12. Oregon St.
13. Louisiana-Lafayette
14. Texas
15. Rice
16. North Carolina
17. Stanford
18. Texas Christian
19. Arizona
20. Oklahoma
21. Louisville
22. Arizona St.
23. Mississippi
24. Cal. St. Fullerton
25. Oklahoma St.
26. Iowa
27. Maryland
28. Florida St.
29. Miami, Fla.
30. Texas A&M
31. Clemson
32. Dallas Baptist
33. Indiana
34. Southern California
35. Missouri St.
36. U.C. Santa Barbara
37. New Mexico St.
38. Alabama
39. Illinois
40. Kentucky