'It's time. Let's do this': Why Beau Hollins forwent MLB Draft and chose coming to South Carolina

As the second day of the MLB Draft neared an end, Beau Hollins hadn’t heard his name called yet. He started to field some potential offers from teams, but none that could convince him to say yes.

“I had these teams in mind that were interested. About eight to 10 teams that saw me in the second or third day. I had my number, and they didn’t necessarily give me what I want,” Hollins told GamecockCentral.

By the time the final day of the draft began, Hollins’ mind was made up. He knew he always had the option to stick with his college commitment and attend South Carolina. So he called head coach Paul Mainieri.

I was like, ‘Hey coach, it’s time. Let’s do this. I’m ready to be a Gamecock. Enough messing around.’ So right then and there, I knew I was ready to go,” said Hollins, who decided to forgo the draft and come to South Carolina.

“I said, ‘You know what? It’s time to go to school and go win a championship for South Carolina. That’s my biggest focus now. So I think I made a great decision. My family’s excited, friends and everybody. I’m extremely excited.”

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There were various reasons as to why college was the right decision for him. Part of him wanted to have the college experience. As a Lexington native, he grew up a Gamecock. Plus, his ties to the baseball program ran deep.

His father, Dave, played at South Carolina from 1985-87. Dave went on to play 12 years in the MLB, spending the majority of his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. His uncle, Paul, also played for the Gamecocks from 1978-81.

“They said that was the best time of their life,” Hollins said. “My dad played in the big leagues for 12 years, so for him to tell me that’s the best time he’s had in his life, that stood out. So after hearing that, I was like, ‘Jeez, I want to go to college.'”

Hollins could have a great chance to be one of the standout freshmen in this recruiting class. Over his final two seasons at River Bluff (S.C.) High School, the switch hitter hit .444 with 22 homers, 73 RBI and a 1.390 OPS.

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Many have told Hollins he’s just a power threat from both sides of the plate. But from his vantage point, he’s just an all-around good hitter.

“At a young age, my dad has always taught me how to drive the ball in the gaps and take the ball the other way, as well,” he said. “So I wouldn’t say I’m just a pure power hitter. I think I’m just a hitter in general. And then, the power is there when it happens. But I’m not focusing on home runs; just trying to hit doubles in the gap. So, whatever happens happens, but I’m super excited to work hard and compete against the best of the best.”

But when fall practice gets going in September, Hollins, a first baseman, will have to compete and earn reps. Leading up to the draft, Mainieri thought he would decide to go play pro ball if drafted. Because of this, South Carolina has brought in a quartet of infielders through the transfer portal and JUCO ranks.

The Gamecocks will also have three primary infielders returning from last year’s team. And there should be six freshmen infielders, including Hollins, joining the program in the fall, as well.

Rather than shying away from more competition, Hollins wants to embrace it. He knows nothing will be handed to him when he gets to school. At the same time, he also knows he can be a player who makes an immediate impact, even as an incoming freshman.

“I mean, I want to be a middle of the order bat. I want to be that guy up to the plate. I want the pressure put on me,” Hollins said. “I eventually want to be a leader of my team and help my teammates out the best I can and keep us positive throughout our journey here, because baseball can bring some guys down. So try to be the best teammate I can and help us out the best I can both on the field and off the field.”

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