How experts evaluate Clemson baseball's Caden Grice as 2023 MLB Draft nears

Clemson baseball's Caden Grice is a unique prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft. The winner of the John Olerud Award for the best two-way player in college baseball, Grice could be either a hitter or a pitcher in the pros. It might just depend which team drafts him and how they think they can develop him.

Grice, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound left-handed pitcher and first baseman from Greer, finished his junior season as Clemson's top starting pitcher and one of its best power hitters. He led the Tigers' weekend rotation with a 3.35 ERA and 8-1 record in 14 starts. He struck out a team-high 101 with an opponent batting average of .196. At the plate, Grice led Clemson in home runs (18) while hitting .307.

Grice could have been drafted out of high school. He was regarded as the top prep prospect in South Carolina in the class of 2020, but that year's draft was shortened from 20 rounds to five due to the pandemic, and Grice wasn't selected.

When the draft begins Sunday, Grice could go as high as Round 2, or he could be picked in Rounds 3-10 on Monday. Here's how experts are evaluating the Riverside High School alumnus as the draft nears.

MLB Pipeline

Prospect ranking: No. 118

Scouting report: "He shows the ability to miss bats with an upper-70s slider and a sinking mid-80s changeup as well, and while he lacks polish and experience, he could get significantly better if he focused on the mound. The best course of action may be to see how his bat plays in pro ball and use pitching as a fallback option."

Baseball America

Prospect ranking: No. 124

Scouting report: "Grice has the physical tools to be selected among the top five rounds as a hitter or pitcher, with more risk as a hitter, but potentially more upside as well."

Future Stars Series

Prospect ranking: No. 73

Scouting report: "Most teams consider Grice a left-handed pitcher at the next level with a fastball that can reach 97 and a changeup that has devastated the opposition. He's flashed a slider this season that is a bit inconsistent, but scouts do see a potential above average breaking ball thanks to Grice's feel to sweep the pitch. There's starter upside here. Grice has a lot of outcomes to a big league role."

Christina Long covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at clong@greenvillenews.com.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: How experts rate Clemson baseball's Caden Grice ahead of 2023 MLB Draft