Catching up with 2018 baseball commitment John Gilreath

Rock Hill (S.C.) Northwestern class of 2018 left-handed pitcher John Gilreath picked up an offer from South Carolina head coach Chad Holbrook over the phone last August and he knew almost immediately what he wanted to do.

Gilreath, who had impressed the South Carolina coaching staff during the Palmetto Games at Founders Park over the previous weekend, officially landed the offer from Holbrook on the following Monday and then pledged to the Gamecocks. He was also receiving interest from Clemson and Vanderbilt.

"I didn't want to wait, because I knew where I wanted to go," Gilreath said. "It was just a matter of me taking the time to actually give Vanderbilt or Clemson a look. But I never visited Vanderbilt or Clemson, because I didn't really want to waste their time or my family's time, because I knew where I wanted to go. It's South Carolina -- I really can't describe it -- it's the best fit for me and it's where I want to be for three to four years when I get there."

Gilreath, who allowed just four earned runs in 16 1/3 innings of work (1.71 ERA) and earned two saves as a freshman, has been attending Carolina camps since he was a kid. The chance to play for the program he grew up following? A dream come true.

"Just growing up, being a life-long Gamecock fan, and seeing the program and seeing the program transform into a big powerhouse program over the course of the years just really stood out to me," Gilreath said. "I've always wanted to go there and the stadium is the best stadium in the country, by far. That was a factor. The fans are amazing. You can't beat them at all. And the coaching staff is a really good coaching staff."

The left-hander has a fastball that sits around the 84-85 mph-range -- a number he hopes to improve as he grows older and stronger -- and a changeup that has proved very difficult for hitters to square up.

"My changeup -- that's my best pitch," Gilreath said. "It goes straight and then it just dives right at the plate. Hitters really have a tough time with it. I'm still working on my breaking ball. Definitely my fastball and my changeup are my two pitches that I use in the game, mainly."

While Gilreath still has three seasons of high school baseball ahead of him, he also plans to use that time to recruit others to join him in Columbia.

"When I get there I want to be able to play with the best players possible," Gilreath said. "I'm definitely going to tell (prospects) who get offered by them about South Carolina and why they should come play there."

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