Top Prospect
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Elliott Caldwell came to the Butler BlueSox looking for an opportunity to prove himself.
After a record-setting summer, he left as a coveted prize for some of the top NCAA baseball programs in the country.
Caldwell committed to the University of South Carolina on Sept. 16. The Gamecocks won national championships in 2010 and 2011, before falling just short of a third consecutive title in the College World Series final against Arizona in June.
Prestigious programs such as Florida, Clemson and the College of Charleston were among other schools to pursue the BlueSox standout, who broke the Prospect League record for hits in a single season with 99 this summer.
“I narrowed it down between South Carolina and Clemson,” said Caldwell. “After visiting, I felt more comfortable with the South Carolina coaching staff than the Clemson staff. ... That pretty much sealed the deal.”
However, it wasn’t an easy choice for the Easley, S.C. native, which is less than 20 miles from the Clemson campus.
“I’ve been going to football games (at Clemson) since I was little,” Caldwell explained. “It was really tough to turn them down, but I had to do what was best as a baseball decision. That was the better choice.
“I can tell they care about me,” he added of South Carolina, “and I have a lot of friends that go there that play baseball.”
Caldwell spent his freshman season at Winthrop and transferred over the summer to Spartanburg Methodist College after struggling for playing time.
Caldwell, who was named the top player in the Prospect League by Baseball America, will start playing for the Gamecocks in the fall of 2013 and has been told he will see time at third base and outfield.
“I can’t wait,” he said, mentioning the possibility of playing in the College World Series.
Butler BlueSox manager Anthony Rebyanski is confident his former player has the ability to compete at the highest level of college baseball.
“Elliott is a good kid. He’s always working to better himself,” said Rebyanski. “He’s a versatile player, which helps too.”
Caldwell played shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions for the BlueSox, while batting .388 with seven home runs, seven triples and 17 doubles to go along with 47 RBIs, 65 runs and 27 stolen bases. He hit just .245 in 49 at-bats with Winthrop and was a late addition to the Butler roster.
“It was a last-minute deal. He kind of just fell in my lap,” said Rebyanski. “Obviously, it worked out for the best for us in Butler and for him. He was a key cog in our lineup.
“With his tools, it’s not a surprise for me that he was able to get to South Carolina. I think he’s going to do well there,” the manager added. “I think someday he’s going to be a draft pick.”
Rebyanski is not alone in that regard.
Professional teams have expressed interest in Caldwell and the 20-year-old said the exposure during his time in Butler is a big reason why.
“It opened a lot of doors for me, not only in college, but professionally,” Caldwell said. “I’ve had a lot of pro teams getting in touch with me with questionnaires and stuff for next year’s draft. Some teams have come out to watch me.
“Butler has blessed me so much … it really did give me a better shot,” he continued. “I want to really thank Butler. If it wasn’t for Butler, I wouldn’t be here, that’s for sure.”
