Junior lefthander and first baseman Caden Grice has been bestowed with the highly esteemed John Olerud Two-Way Player-of-the-Year Award, graciously presented by the College Baseball Foundation. This momentous and awe-inspiring achievement signifies a groundbreaking occurrence, as it marks the very first instance where a player from Clemson has had the honor of receiving this prestigious accolade since its inception in the year 2010.
The Dominant Display of Grice on the Mound
Emerging from the captivating locality of Greer, South Carolina, Grice magnificently exhibited his exceptional prowess in both the disciplines of pitching and batting throughout the exhilarating and eventful season of 2023. Standing tall on the pitching mound, he unleashed his remarkable skills, culminating in an awe-inspiring record of 8 victories and a mere solitary defeat. The statistical testament to his unrivaled capabilities in pitching is encapsulated by his remarkable Earned Run Average (ERA) of 3.35, which contributed significantly to restricting opposing batters to a paltry and insignificant batting average of just .196. Additionally, his 101 strikeouts, accomplished over the course of a mere 78.0 innings pitched across 14 captivating starts, stood as a compelling demonstration of his unwavering ability to overpower and vanquish opposing batters with majestic ease and grace.
A Towering Presence at the Plate
The contributions made by Grice extended well beyond the boundaries of his magnificent pitching abilities. Exhibiting the qualities of a first-team All-American, he showcased his prodigious offensive capabilities by virtue of a truly astonishing batting average of .307. His exploits included launching a breathtaking 18 home runs, along with an awe-inspiring triple and 15 doubles, thereby establishing himself as a formidable and indomitable force within the sacred confines of the batter’s box. His remarkable and awe-inspiring performance translated into an eye-popping and awe-inspiring total of 68 runs batted in (RBIs), alongside 60 runs scored and a slugging percentage of .618, which undeniably stands as an awe-inspiring testament to his resolute and unwavering determination to excel. Moreover, Grice showcased a profound and admirable sense of discipline and patience at the plate, which ultimately manifested itself in a commendable and highly praiseworthy on-base percentage of .411, whilst additionally managing to successfully pilfer a total of four bases.
Caden Grice’s Stellar Career
Across the duration of his illustrious and fruitful tenure with the esteemed Clemson Tigers, the magnificent Grice consistently and unwaveringly demonstrated his remarkable versatility and indomitable skill in both the domains of offense and defense. On the hallowed grounds of the pitching mound, his unparalleled career statistics speak volumes, standing as a testament to his exceptional skill and unwavering prowess. With an overall career record that is nothing short of awe-inspiring, boasting an incredible 10 victories juxtaposed against a mere 2 defeats, Grice has managed to maintain an impressive and highly commendable ERA of 3.73. Such awe-inspiring numbers are illustrative of his innate ability to confound and bewilder opposing batters, restricting them to a measly and inconsequential batting average of just .203. Furthermore, the extraordinary talent and capability possessed by Grice in striking out batters is aptly underscored by his staggering total of 122 strikeouts, a figure that stands tall and resolute, having been achieved in the face of a mere 46 walks, over the course of an awe-inspiring 94 innings pitched.
In terms of offense, Caden Grice’s career numbers stand as a testament to his remarkable abilities. Sporting an impressive batting average of .288, he has consistently displayed prodigious power at the plate, amassing an awe-inspiring total of 45 home runs, accompanied by two triples and 35 doubles. However, his contributions extend far beyond mere numerical statistics, as he has been responsible for a remarkable 161 RBIs, 145 runs scored, and an impressive tally of 12 stolen bases throughout the 168 captivating games he has played.
Paying Homage to John Olerud’s Illustrious Legacy
The esteemed John Olerud Two-Way Player-of-the-Year Award carries with it the revered name of the distinguished former Washington State luminary. Olerud’s remarkable achievements as both a first baseman and a lefthander during the halcyon days of the late 1980s earned him a well-deserved place of honor within the hallowed halls of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame back in the year 2007. This distinguished and highly coveted accolade serves as an enduring testament to the remarkable legacy left behind by Olerud, while simultaneously honoring and recognizing players who exhibit an unwavering commitment to excellence on both sides of the illustrious game of baseball.
The awe-inspiring performance delivered by Caden Grice, both on the majestic pitching mound and within the sacred confines of the batter’s box, has undeniably and rightfully positioned him as the deserving recipient of the illustrious John Olerud Two-Way Player-of-the-Year Award. Through his exceptional skill set and unwavering dedication, Grice has established an unprecedented standard of versatility and excellence within the realm of college baseball. The indelible mark he has left upon the storied history of the Clemson Tigers’ baseball program is one that shall forever be etched in the annals of the sport, while simultaneously igniting a radiant and promising path for his own illustrious future within the realms of this captivating and enduring sport.
A Stellar Career
“He is a good Christian kid who has just been raised right,” Bakich said. “Every time we had any type of a service opportunity, whether it was a visit to a children’s hospital or reading to kids in schools, he was always the first to volunteer. It’d be so easy for the superstar to not sign autographs and not want to do service-based activities, but he was always the first one, and he signed autographs longer than anyone else on our team. He’s just the true servant leader, and that’s where I’ve seen so much growth out of him and seen him really thrive.”
Erik Bakich
