The South Carolina baseball team has started its season with a 19-5 record and is heading into the heart of its SEC schedule. Throughout the team's winning record, fifth-year center fielder Dylan Brewer has been a beacon of consistency both offensively and defensively for the Gamecocks.
Brewer went to Latta High School in Latta, South Carolina, and was a four-time All-State and All-Region selection. He also earned the title of AA Player of the Year in 2019 and helped Latta reach a state title in his junior season.
Brewer started his collegiate career at Clemson University, playing three seasons for South Carolina's in-state rival. In 111 games for the Tigers, Brewer recorded 20 doubles, 15 home runs, 61 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.
Last season was Brewer's first for the Gamecocks, and he played in 56 games with 47 starts. Brewer scored 48 runs and hit six doubles and eight home runs. He sent home 27 RBIs and stole 11 bases.
In the middle of his first season in garnet and black, Brewer had a 23-game reached base streak from March 30 to May 12. His consistency earned him a .250 batting average with 22 runs scored in SEC play. This season also included seven multi-hit games and eight games with multiple RBIs.
In his second year as a Gamecock, Brewer is still showcasing his consistency as a player.
"I've kind of — pretty much tried to have the mindset. I mean you're competing out here obviously for a spot, but I've just kind of been focusing on what can I do for my team to win a game," Brewer said.
So far this season, Brewer has 28 hits, three home runs, 17 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, a .346 batting average and a .982 OPS.
"I know he's always been that good," sophomore outfielder Ethan Petry said. "He's caught fire, and he's just going to stay on fire. It's been great to see how his attitude and confidence has been unreal, and he brings a spark to our team."
In a series against Longwood, Brewer hit two home runs and sent in three RBIs while going 3-4 at the plate.
"I don't know that many center fielders (that) are playing better than him in the country, both offensively and defensively," head baseball coach Mark Kingston said. "It's great to see because he's a hard worker. He's a great teammate. He loves to play."
Brewer and Petry, along with outfield juniors Blake Jackson and Kennedy Jones, have formed an outfield with the necessary talent and depth to compete within the SEC.
“There are so many guys that can fill in these spots in the infield that are elite defenders,” Petry said. “You know the depth in our outfield — we've got like nine outfielders, and they all can catch fly balls. ... The range on our outfielders this year is elite.”
In the team's series against Belmont, Brewer went a combined 7-9 on the weekend.
"I don't have to be the all-American. We've got two of those," Brewer said. "I've just got to be the guy who's willing to do anything to win the game."
Kingston said Brewer’s offensive production is a bonus as he was chosen as a starter for factors outside of his offense.
"He earned a job because he does so many things,” Kingston said. “The fact that he’s hitting as well as he is is a bonus. But he plays great defense. He runs the bases really well. He has speed. So the fact that he’s hitting now is really icing on the cake.”
Brewer also played an integral role in the Gamecocks' season-opening series win against Miami - Ohio.
"We knew that he had earned a starting spot this year because had a pretty decent spring, but to think that he would be playing this well on both sides of the ball," Kingston said. "It's great to see."
Brewer will return in the Gamecocks' matchup against Presbyterian College on March 26. The game will be played at Founders Park at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.