Eustace’s Brodzinski picks South Carolina — for now
Greg Brodzinski is among many South Jersey high school athletes who will sign college letters of intent in the next week, but the Bishop Eustace catcher may have to make another decision in June.
It's possible that Brodzinski could be selected in the first-year major-league draft, and if it happens he'll have to decide between professional baseball and a college scholarship to South Carolina in the vaunted Southeastern Conference.
"It would be a great, difficult decision to make," Brodzinski said about deciding between college and the pros. "Right now, I'm so excited to be going to South Carolina, playing in what I think is the best college league, the SEC."
Brodzinski signed his letter of intent Wednesday, the first day that athletes in high school winter and spring sports could sign with colleges. The signing for fall sports such as football, soccer, and field hockey takes place in February.
In his first three seasons, Brodzinski has 124 hits, 23 home runs, and 116 RBIs. He decided on South Carolina about a year ago and made an official visit to the school last week.
"It's a great school and the environment is great there," Brodzinski said.
He played during the summer in the prestigious Area Code Games in Long Beach, Calif. Since then Brodzinski said he has been contacted by about 15 major-league organizations and filled out questionnaires for eight franchises.
One thing is for sure: Whether he gets drafted or not, the scouts know Brodzinski's name.
Wednesday was a big day not only for for Brodzinski but also his Bishop Eustace classmates. Two other Eustace baseball players to sign were Scott Carcaise (Elon) and Jim Yezzo (Delaware).
Also signing letters of intent from Eustace were girls' basketball player Jackie Schluth (Drexel) and crew members Amanda O'Malley (Connecticut), Alexandra Wilkins (Fordham), Matt Johnson (Delaware), and Justin Jones (Northeastern).
A Eustace official said it was possible more commitments would come within the next week.
One South Jersey player earned a scholarship before playing a game with his high school. That is Egg Harbor Township senior point guard Anthony Taylor, who is headed to Longwood University in Farmville, Va.
Taylor attended Living Faith Christian Academy the last two years. After the school closed following his junior year, Taylor enrolled at EHT.
Longwood is also the college of former EHT point guard Durann Neil, a junior who may redshirt this season after undergoing recent sports hernia surgery, according to EHT coach George McNally.
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
