the MLB is my dream . The fact I have the chance is surreal . I try to stay in the moment with things . There is a lot of baseball to play between now and the draft in July . Ole Miss is where I ’ ll be in June . I want to make sure I am doing what I need in order to play for the next 20 years .”
The statistics that the star has accumulated across is high school career is exceptional . As of this publication and for his career , he has batted . 504 , belting 15 homeruns , with 116 RBI ’ s , swiping 127 bases and scoring 175 runs . Barring and injury , Slade is going to hold the state ’ s stolen base record and will set the record for most base on balls . The kid rarely sees a good pitch and why would you want to pitch to him ? The problem is that you should go ahead and extend the free pass to third base as he ’ s going to take second and third and likely find his way home crossing the plate . They are staggering numbers that he ’ s produced across 274 official high school at bats at the 5A level . That doesn ’ t even count what he ’ s produced outside of his career at Valley View in various events across the country . “ God , well he is the reason for everything and also my parents and grandparents . My parents for allowing me to travel all over pursuing my dreams and my Popal for being there for me . My nanny , I mean she is so kind . My coaches for pushing me and believing in me .”
As I write this article , I ’ m proud of Slade ’ s athletic accomplishments . I mentioned four years ago , I ’ ve had the unique opportunity to serve as an administrator in the Valley View School District where he attends school while also the opportunity to own a magazine that covers local high school sports . I ’ ve had the privilege of knowing Slade before he ever became a Major League prospect . What I said , six to ten years ago as a guy who had the honor see him daily in my building at the intermediate school and also what I said his freshman year when I wrote the first article ( in a series of four ) has not changed a bit . Slade ’ s one of the best young men to ever walk through the doors at Valley View . It has nothing to do with him being a stud baseball player or an all-state football player . Slade ’ s one of the best because of who he is and what he represents . He is gracious and kind . He always has a smile on his face . He works hard at everything he does . His parents and family should be proud . “ I want Blazer fans to remember me for my work ethic and leadership ,” told Caldwell . “ I have been doubted a lot over the years because of my size , but I want fans to know that hard work can take you to places you dream about . Also , how I led by example . I would not ask anyone to do something I haven ’ t done . I hope they remember me as a good guy .” If there ’ s one thing that ’ s for sure , he is going to be remembered for being a very good guy .
To all of Northeast Arkansas , if you get the chance to watch Slade play you need to make it happen . The admission to a high school game is going to be much cheaper than what Major League Baseball can offer you . It ’ s a rarity someone with this talent comes through our area . It ’ s nearly once in a lifetime . Slade ’ s a phenom , and you don ’ t want to miss him play .