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Gatorade 2022 - 2023: Player of the Year

Baseball - Arkansas

athletes playing Baseball
The POY Logo
BASEBALL

Slade Caldwell

Outfielder/left-handed pitcher
VALLEY VIEW HS
JONESBORO, ARKANSAS
JUNIOR
Height: 5-FOOT-8
Press Release

Peak Performance

.512

Batting Average

5

Home Runs

31

RBI

54

Runs Scored
“Slade is a true five-tool guy—he’s very intellectual, one of those people that just stands out. He’s got a presence when he steps in the box, he’s a guy you don’t want to pitch to. Then, he can track balls that are sure doubles in the outfield. When you put him on first, he’s at third in two pitches. He does it all, one of those rare people you only get one or two of in your entire coaching career.”
Isaac Dulaney
Head Coach - head coach of Joe T. Robinson High
excellence star

Athletic Excellence

The 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior outfielder and left-handed pitcher led the Blazers to a 27-5 record and the Class 5A state final this past season. Caldwell batted .512 with five home runs, 31 RBI and 54 runs scored, also stealing 40 bases and walking 40 times. Ranked as the nation’s No. 10 recruit in the Class of 2024 by Perfect Game, he compiled a .656 on-base percentage and a .930 slugging percentage. On the mound, he went 7-1 with a 2.31 earned run average over 54.1 innings pitched, striking out 72 and walking just 16.

a graduation cap

Academic Achievement

Caldwell has maintained a 3.97 GPA in the classroom. He will begin his senior year of high school in the fall.

first place ribbon

Exemplary Character

An All-State running back in football and a member of both the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes member, Caldwell is also a student council representative in addition to volunteering locally as a youth baseball coach and at a holiday toy drive for underprivileged children.