He was a USC bat boy, fan of Jackie Bradley Jr. Now hometown star will be a Gamecock
Matthew Becker is no stranger to Founders Park.
The Chapin left-hander was a bat boy for South Carolina baseball and attended many games there over the years. Now, Becker will have a chance to step on the mound as a member of the Gamecocks after committing to USC on Tuesday.
“Ever since I was younger, I always wanted to play baseball there and that was a main factor in my decision,” Becker said. “I was a bat boy and it was awesome to talk to the players and see everything that was going on.”
Becker said his favorite Gamecock player was Jackie Bradley Jr., and he wears Bradley’s No. 19 whenever he can. He also has Bradley’s autograph on a baseball and a jersey from the 2011 Gamecocks’ national championship victory parade.
The Gamecocks offered Becker about three weeks ago, a day after Clemson extended an offer. He also had an offer from College of Charleston last summer. Once USC entered the picture, Becker knew that was going to be the place for him.
He didn’t want to delay making a commitment, especially after the NCAA extended the recruiting dead period until at least Sept. 1.
“Was going to wait until fall but since they moved things back, I wasn’t going to wait,” Becker said. “So, I talked it over with my parents and made my decision.”
Diamond Prospects ranks Becker as the No. 2 left-hander in the state for Class of 2021. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder hit 89 mph at a Diamond Prospects Showcase last month and 90 mph while playing for the Diamond Devils in a travel ball tournament recently.
“I have watched Becker since his sophomore year and he has continued to trend up. A couple weeks ago at our Summer Showcase, he emerged as the top prospect from the event,” Diamond Prospects area scout Cory Welch said. “Currently on the mound, he is 88-90 with promising secondary stuff. With his athleticism, I look for that to continue and improve as he prepares for his senior year.”
Becker had six shutout innings in his lone appearance this year against Dutch Fork and hit .360 before Chapin’s season got shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Eagles were ranked No. 1 in Class 5A before the season ended.
As a sophomore, Becker had a 2.62 ERA and struck out 26 in 29⅓ innings pitched and hit .263 with 11 RBIs. He also is a receiver for the Chapin football team and had 24 catches for 219 yards last season.
“He is a tremendous athlete and he continues to grow,” Chapin coach Scott McLeod said. “He has been mentally stronger every year. With his ability and his mental toughness he has, he is going to be a force to be reckon with.”
Becker will join Chapin teammate Cade Austin on the Gamecocks’ roster. Austin is a 2020 Gamecock signee and was recruiting Becker to join him at USC.
Becker is the 13th commit for the Class of 2021 and fourth in-state, joining Summerville’s Cole Messina, Hartsville’s Dariyan Pendergrass and Hanahan’s Aidan Hunter.
