Naturally Good

Effingham Two-Way Baseball Player Eying Pro Career

Story by Stephen Prudhomme Photos by Tonya Perry

When Carter Holton was 6 years old, he was playing catch with his father when he was hit in the face with a baseball. Although the impact of rawhide meeting flesh made him cry, the youngster, wiping tears from his face, resumed the game of catch.

Eleven years later, Carter is likely making opposing players cry in frustration after he strikes them out with a fastball in the 90s or smacks a game-winning home run.

Dubbed “The Natural” by Savannah sportscaster Frank Sulkowski, the 17–year-old Guyton resident is a real-life Roy Hobbs who doesn’t need stunts or special effects to produce a game-winning homer and the perfect Hollywood ending.

Carter is a rising senior at Benedictine Military Academy who pitches and plays first base and outfield on the school’s baseball team. Before this season was cut short by the pandemic, he continued the two-way dominance that earned him Savannah Morning News Player of the Year honors in 2018-19.

In 2018, Carter pitched a perfect game against Statesboro at Grayson Stadium, striking out 17. Along with the aforementioned Player of the Year honors, he also was named Region Player of the Year in 2018-19, 2018 Georgia Dugout

Player of the Year, 2019 Team Georgia member, and a two-time participant in the FCA All Star Game.

“I’ve been coaching high school baseball for over 20 years and seen a lot of good players,” said Benedictine baseball coach Kevin Farmer, noting Carter pitched a nohitter against Oconee County this season. “He’s a special player. He works hard and is humble, and his baseball IQ is off the charts. He knows how to play the game.”

A left-handed pitcher, the 5-foot-11 Carter throws in the low 90s and has been clocked as high as 97 mph. Rome Dean—a former teammate at Benedictine—has faced Carter in intrasquad games.

“He’s one of the top pitchers I’ve ever and is ultracompetitive. He has a very Carter’s ultimate goal, however, is to faced,” said Dean, a 2020 graduate who quick arm. Carter’s a throwback hitter play professionally. Scouts come to his played shortstop and third base. “He has who feeds on fastballs and really mashes games, and Carter said he’s heard they like a big change of speed from his curveball, them. He’s a difference maker for us. He’s what they see so far. change up and fastball and keeps you off also very humble and such a good kid and Although Carter looks up to Clayton balance. His fastball tails a lot. I think he’s teammate.” Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers, ready to play pro ball.” saying the lefty has a really good curveball

Although Carter’s an outstanding hitter The Next Steps and controls the game well, he aspires to with power, his pitching is likely the ticket Along with his baseball talent, Carter’s play for a team closer to home. that will help him realize his dream of an excellent student who had over 30 “I’d like to play for the Atlanta Braves,” playing Major League Baseball. scholarship offers and wants to major in Carter said. “That would mean a lot.

“Carter has the pitches and control,” sports medicine. He chose Vanderbilt, a Family and friends could come see me play Farmer said. “He knows how to set up school known for academics and its strong pretty easily.” pitches and is strategic on the mound. He baseball program, after giving a verbal Carl said his son always had a goal of works fast and stays in rhythm.” commitment several years ago. Among its playing baseball. Although his older son alumni is David Price, a hard-throwing was a talented player, Carl said he didn’t Falling in Love with the Game lefty who helped the Boston Red Sox win share Carter’s dream of

The aforementioned game making it to the big leagues. of catch with his dad came Recruited by Georgia, Georgia three years after Carter discovered baseball. “He’s a special player. He works Tech, Clemson, USC and Tennessee—among others— “I fell in love with it,” said Carter, whose inspiration was hard and is humble, and his Carter chose Vanderbilt. “His dream was Vanderbilt,” an older brother who played baseball IQ is off the charts. He Carl said. “They have a strong baseball. “Since I loved it so much, I worked at it. It was all knows how to play the game. ” baseball program. They’re also strong academically. He’s I knew.” a very smart kid. He takes

Carter’s father, Carl, said his honors classes.” son would watch a game on Add to that a great attitude. TV and then go out and try and replicate a World Series before signing with the Los “I hardly ever see him get frustrated,” Carl the plays. His resolve to keep on playing Angeles Dodgers. said. “He has a lot of self-discipline.” despite being hit in the face when he was 6 “They win all the time,” said Carter, While Carter admires Kershaw, his dad convinced Carl that Carter could go a long explaining his choice of Vanderbilt. “They said he evokes comparisons to another way in baseball. have too-notch coaching and facilities. left-handed pitcher, one who is in the Hall

Carl coached his son until he was 12 I love to win. The academics are also of Fame as a member of the Atlanta Braves years old. Carter has played travel ball important.” and helped the team win its lone World since he was 7 years old. For the past two Although he just started playing in Series title in 1995. years—playing Team League Baseball— tournaments again and missed some 30 “He reminds me of Tom Glavine,” Carl he’s been coached by Jamie Crane. games due to the pandemic, Carter said said. “He just doesn’t throw the ball. He

An associate scout with the Atlanta he’s in the same position as the other has great control.” Braves, Crane said Carter, beyond his players. The time off, it seems, didn’t And power. talent, is very mature and advanced as far affect him on the mound or at “Throwing has always as the game. He added he doesn’t get too the plate. At a tournament come natural to an high or too low. in Emerson, Ga., in three extent,” Carter said.

Complementing his maturity, calm games, he struck out “I do long toss and makeup and understanding of the game four in two innings just try and throw are some outstanding physical skills. and batted .428 a lot and keep

“Carter’s one of our best pitchers,” with three home my legs strong.” Crane said. “He has really good command runs.

How it All Began

Just to think, it all started with a game of catch and a ball hitting tender flesh rather than the mitt that would have convinced many 6-year-olds to take up another avocation. Perhaps tennis or basketball, where the ball’s not as hard. Then again, Carter, as he’s demonstrated throughout his life, stands out from the crowd. It’s going to take more than a ball to the face to knock him out of the batter’s box or off the mound.

“I knew he was special when I saw him wiping tears from his face after being hit with the baseball,” Carl said. “I thought to myself this kid is going somewhere. He has the competitiveness, the will and desire to play baseball.”

Carl will have to remain the authority on that game of catch from yesteryear when Carter displayed uncommon resolve and a love of the game as a 6-year-old.

“Honestly, I don’t remember being hit with the ball,” Carter said. “I’m sure it happened.”

Carter also plays basketball; he played his sophomore year at Benedictine after being injured as a freshman. He said he plays everywhere and shoots pretty well. Baseball remains his first love, however.

“It’s quick moving,” Carter said; when it’s mentioned that many criticize baseball for being too slow, Carter amended his statement and noted it can be quick moving. “It keeps me in shape.”

Carter doesn’t limit his labors to the baseball diamond and mound. He also works at the Shell House, doing some cooking and preparing salads. Carter also likes to help out in the community by helping out at school baseball camps. This includes working with youngsters on an individual basis who want to follow him to the mound.

“I know they look up to me,” Carter said. “It’s teaching the next generation.” n

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