USC baseball: Five impact newcomers to know

When fans attend Friday’s South Carolina vs. Albany opening day game at Founders Park, here are a few names expected to play important roles:

Jonah Bride

Soph., Inf., 5-10, 190, Owasso, Okla.

The junior college transfer was a pleasant surprise this fall, performing as South Carolina’s most consistent hitter. Last season at Neosho JC he put up video-game numbers, batting .471 with 14 home runs and 93 RBIs.

Brandon McIlwain

Fr., OF, 6-1, 200, Newton, Pa.

The two-sport athlete turned down potentially being a first-round pick in the MLB draft to play baseball and football at USC. McIlwain is rated by D1Baseball.com as the No. 5 freshman prospect in the country.

Dom Thompson-Williams

Jr., OF, 6-0, 185, Sioux City, Iowa

Chad Holbrook believes Thompson-Williams could end up being the best hitter on USC’s team, and the junior college transfer looks the part. The left-hander has great power and a chance to lead the team in extra base hits.

LT Tolbert

Fr., Inf., 6-2, 180, Piedmont

He has been best hitter in preseason scrimmages. In USC’s final tune-up on Saturday he went 4-for-4 with a home run. Tolbert might not start the season opener but could earn a starting job soon.

Braden Webb

Fr., RHP, 6-2, 195, Owasso, Okla.

He earned a spot in the weekend rotation by pitching well in the spring and winter scrimmages. He has perhaps the best arm on the team and could become USC’s ace. He must learn to throw strikes.

This story was originally published February 18, 2016 at 2:55 PM with the headline "USC baseball: Five impact newcomers to know."