Gamecocks signee Beau Hollins juggling MLB Draft expectations, health in senior year

Mark Bonnette calls Beau Hollins the best hitter he’s ever coached and Hollins has done nothing to dispel that the past two seasons.

After leading the state with 17 home runs last year, the River Bluff senior and South Carolina signee is off to a torrid start to his senior season. Hollins is hitting .527 with three homers, eight doubles and 18 RBIs for the defending Class 5A champions.

Hollins had back-to-back three-hit games in the Gators’ first two wins at the Forest Acres Classic hosted by AC Flora. He also earned all-tournament honors.

Hollins has 10 multi-hit games so far this year for River Bluff, which went 3-1 at the Forest Acres Classic.

“I have been doing this a long time and he is the best high school hitter I have ever coached.,” said Bonnette, the River Bluff head coach. “He is hitting over .500 and not getting pitched to a lot of times. He gives you a great at-bat every time and he is just a competitor. He hits from both sides of the plate without a lot of drop-off. He is special.”

Hollins is off to a great start after being shut down over the summer with elbow issues from pitching. Dr. Keith Meister, the Texas Rangers’ team doctor, performed surgery on Hollins in June. Because of the surgery, Hollins didn’t have a chance to play any showcases or travel ballgames over the summer while he rehabbed.

Hollins, who was 4-0 last year on the mound in limited action, was cleared to throw in November and started on the mound in the Gators’ opener against West Ashley. He pitched five scoreless innings and struck out 11 in the 2-0 win.

But Hollins has hasn’t pitched since then. Bonnette said it is probably unlikely he will pitch again this year.

With pitching not an option right now, Hollins is focusing on his hitting and playing first base.

“I see myself as any everyday first baseman. I feel great. I’m not my best on the mound and am a little tender. But everywhere else, I feel fantastic and I am going to play the best I can,” Hollins said. “It is always tough sitting out for a long time. Baseball is what I love doing, so taking that time off was hard . But it made me hungry to play again.”

MLB scouts have been regulars at River Bluff this spring to see Hollins. Pittsburgh Pirates scout Kier Meredith, a former Clemson standout, was there Tuesday for the Gators’ game against the Airport Eagles.

Hollins is part of a talented senior in-state class with MLB potential. Summerville’s PJ Morlando is a possible-first-round pick, with teammate Carson Messina also a draft hopeful. All three are signed with the Gamecocks but it remains to be seen if they ever play a game for the team.

Hollins’ father, Dave Hollins, (1985-87) and uncle Paul Hollins (1978-81) both played for the Gamecocks. Dave Hollins played for June Raines at USC and then spent 12 seasons in the majors, including with the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies World Series team.

“He has aspirations to play pro ball. And we will see what happens with the draft,” Dave Hollins told The State in November. “South Carolina is a great program and has such a great facility. If he ends up there, we will be there to support him.”

Beau Hollins has made several visits to USC over the past few months. If he does end up with the Gamecocks, some publications believe he can have an immediate impact. Baseball America listed him among 10 sleepers in College Baseball’s 2024 Recruiting Class With Impact Potential.

Beau Hollins plans to sit down with his family after his high school season and discuss the best route for himself. Right now, he isn’t concerning himself with MLB Draft talk.

“Before the season, we talked. But during the season, I just want to play and don’t want to hear any nonsense,” Beau Hollins said. “God has his plan for me, whatever it is. I am trying to win another state championship.”

High School Baseball Scores

Forest Acres Classic

At AC Flora

Monday

Airport 6, Dorman 2

River Bluff 12, Oceanside Collegiate 0

Miller School (Va.) 4, Dutch Fork 2

AC Flora 9, Brookland-Cayce 2

Tuesday

Dorman 4, Oceanside Collegiate 2

River Bluff 4, Airport 3

Dutch Fork 10, Brookland-Cayce 2

Miller School (Va.) 7, AC Flora 4 (11)

Wednesday

Oceanside Collegiate 4, Airport 0

Miller School (Va.) 12, Brookland-Cayce 1

Dorman 6, River Bluff 1

Dutch Fork 7, AC Flora 1

Thursday

River Bluff 1, AC Flora 0

Dutch Fork 6, Oceanside Collegiate 1

Miller School (Va.) 12, Dorman 9 (championship)

SC Diamond Invitational

At Blythewood HS

Wednesday

Chapin 12, Northwestern 2

Cardinal Newman 2, Dreher 1

Lexington 4, TL Hanna 2

Blythewood 10, Northwestern 1

Thursday

Chapin 12, Northwestern 2

Cardinal Newman 5, TL Hanna 3

Lexington 17, Dreher 0

Blythewood 11, South Florence 1

Friday

TL Hanna vs. Dreher, 10:30 a.m.

South Florence vs. Northwestern, 1 p.m.

Chapin vs. Blythewood, 3:30 p.m.

Lexington vs. Cardinal Newman, 6 p.m.