Carson Bruce Chooses South Carolina Baseball, Credits Monte Lee’s Vision and Relationships
As the calendar flipped to August, Carson Bruce stayed awake with friends, anxiously waiting to see if any college coaches would call now that contact was officially allowed. Just five minutes past midnight, his phone rang. On the line was South Carolina hitting coach Monte Lee, who wanted to schedule an official visit to Columbia.
That call was the first of many.
“I ended up with a good amount of other calls that day,” Bruce told GamecockCentral. “I think I ended with about 25-ish visit opportunities, schools that were trying to get me on a visit. So that was fun.”
Over the next few weeks, Bruce narrowed his options down to six schools, and then to a final three: Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina. He visited each program, but one stood out above the rest.
“I mean, I visited some great schools, but South Carolina for sure stood out,” Bruce said. “I was really blown away by everything, not just like the facilities and all, but just hearing the coaches speak. And I mean, obviously, Coach (Paul) Mainieri is a college baseball legend, so getting to talk with him was great, and then speaking with Monte about just how they’re going to develop me and the other guys offensively.”
While facilities and tradition played their part, Bruce said his connection with Lee ultimately sealed the deal.
“He’s a cool guy. He cuts up a good bit, but he’s got a great relationship with all his players, too. It’s just super strong,” Bruce explained. “I really enjoyed talking with him about his vision for the program and how they’re going to shape it up this year, and then carried on into when I’m there, and then how he can develop me and the other offensive guys. I think he’s really got a lot of good stuff going on.”
On Sept. 22, the Powder Springs, Georgia, native announced his commitment to South Carolina, choosing the Gamecocks over his in-state Bulldogs and Kentucky.
Bruce, an outfielder and first baseman at North Cobb Christian High School, prides himself on his ability to spray the ball to all fields and create havoc once he reaches base.
“I feel like I’ve got good bat-to-ball skills and can really impact the ball to all fields, for sure,” Bruce said. “I take a lot of pride in being grimy on the base path, like once I get on there, I’ve got some good speed, so once I get on first, however I can. I love to read dirt balls, steal a bag, just give the pitcher a hard time, honestly. Just take pride in putting pressure on the other team.”
Though he’s also pitched as a left-hander, Bruce won’t be on the mound for the Gamecocks. Instead, he’ll focus solely on being a position player — likely in the outfield, though he’s open to wherever he’s needed.
“I feel like the goal, of course, is to do whatever the team needs me to do, whatever puts us in the best position,” Bruce said. “But obviously, the goal is to keep progressing as a defender. I feel like I’m pretty good in the outfield and play centerfield, but then if I have to early play a different position, like left or right (field), because it makes more sense for the team, of course, I would do that.”
Bruce is part of a growing 2027 recruiting class at South Carolina that already has five public commitments. He’s been in contact with his future teammates and is excited about the potential of the group.
“We want to get a good class around me, and we want to take this thing to Omaha,” Bruce said. “Obviously, it’s no easy road, but for me personally, my goal, obviously, is making an impact day one. So until then, I’m going to be working as hard as I can to make an impact as soon as I step foot on campus.
“Obviously, it’s not going to be easy at a fine program like South Carolina, but I really think that with a good class around us, and then they’re going to do some great work this year, that we could take this thing to Omaha while I’m there.”
