South Carolina baseball continues its assault on the transfer portal. Less than 24 hours after receiving a commitment from right-handed pitcher Matt Duffy, the Gamecocks reeled in another intriguing player from the portal.
On Saturday, South Carolina native Tyler Causey announced his commitment to play for Mark Kingston’s South Carolina baseball team. Causey originally went to North Carolina out of high school after forgoing his 2019 MLB Draft selection.
In high school, the Fort Mill, South Carolina native primarily played shortstop and pitched, but he did see some time in the outfield. That has shifted in college some as the 6’6″ left-handed bat has played some corner outfield and corner infield, but he has mainly been a designated hitter when he has been healthy enough to play.
Unfortunately, Causey has battled lots of injuries during his collegiate career, limiting him to just 40 total games during his time at North Carolina. He was set to be the starter heading into the 2022 season, but injuries and inconsistent at-bats kept that from happening.
Now with the South Carolina baseball team, Causey will look to utilize his significant power to find a role on the team. The outfield and corner infield spots appear to be taken for now (unless Talmadge LeCroy moves to second base), so the big lefty would need to win at-bats at the DH spot and/or perform so well in fall camp that he earns a look from Kingston and his coaching staff.
Returning first baseman Gavin Casas and last fall’s starter at the position Jacob Compton both are power threats from the left side that are returning for South Carolina baseball next year. Compton missed all of 2023 with an injury, and Casas filled the first base slot admirably with a 19-homer campaign that put him near the top of the SEC in long balls.