South Carolina baseball coach Mark Kingston made major changes to his coaching staff in the past two offseasons that have improved the program's in-state recruiting efforts. Associate head coach Monte Lee and pitching coach Matt Williams have long-standing ties in the state, and new assistant hitting coach Joey Holcomb is a tenacious recruiter.
Their impacts on the Gamecocks have been seen through commitments from players across the 2024, 2025, and 2026 recruiting classes and talents from the transfer portal.
One South Carolina baseball pledge who announced his commitment before any of those assistant coaches were on staff was Parker McGee.
McGee, a Lancaster High School product, committed to the Gamecocks all the way back in 2022 when he was beginning his freshman year of high school. Now, the class of 2026 recruit is making it obvious why USC wanted to bring him into the fold.
This week, the shortstop prospect was selected as the Underclassman of the Year for Region 3-AAAA. The honor is one that should have South Carolina baseball fans excited for McGee's future in garnet and black.
As a player, McGee is a smooth glove in the middle infield, and he possesses natural athleticism and an easy swing that help make up for his lack of strength (weighs in at just 150 pounds). His arm is strong and getting stronger, a tool he has used to become a good pitcher for Lancaster High School, as well.
McGee has also played other infield spots and even the outfield during his career. Like most high school shortstops who can play other positions, his versatility could help him find early playing time in college if things don't work out for him at short.
The talented shortstop still has two years of high school baseball left before he arrives in Columbia, and he will use those two years to continue to grow and develop physically.