Clemson's Caden Grice Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in MLB Draft

Sunday night, Caden Grice achieved a significant milestone in his baseball career, being selected with the 64th pick in the MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The junior left-hander and first baseman from Greer, SC, has showcased remarkable talent both on the mound and at the plate, earning recognition as the winner of the prestigious John Olerud Two-Way Player-of-the-Year Award, presented by the College Baseball Foundation. This accolade makes Grice the first Clemson player to ever receive this honor since its establishment in 2010.

Grice's exceptional performance throughout the season contributed to his recognition as one of the top prospects in collegiate baseball. On the pitching mound, he displayed remarkable consistency, finishing the season with an impressive 8-1 record. With a 3.35 ERA, he effectively stifled opposing batters, holding them to a .196 batting average. Grice's dominant presence resulted in an impressive 101 strikeouts against 33 walks in 14 starts on the mound.

When we spoke with Clemson head coach Erik Bakich last month, he told us that Grice was “one of the most God-given blessed baseball players I've ever seen.”

As a first baseman and hitter, he showcased his versatility and power at the plate. Grice's batting average of .307 and slugging percentage of .618 demonstrate his ability to make solid contact and drive the ball with authority. Grice finished the 2022 season with 18 home runs, 15 doubles, a triple, and 68 RBIs, proving to be a potent offensive threat for Clemson. These impressive offensive statistics earned him the recognition of being a first-team All-American.