Steven Tolleson got a tad teary-eyed Friday as he mingled with the 180 kids on the final day of South Carolina's baseball camp.

As would the youth, Tolleson said goodbye to the friends and coaches that had made his Sarge Frye Field memories worthwhile.

The 2002 Dorman graduate and fifth-round pick in last month's draft has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Twins and plans to sign early next week, ending his USC career.

"It was definitely emotional knowing it was my last day decked out in South Carolina apparel," Tolleson said.

"Saying goodbye to the coaches was difficult because we bled and sweated together. I've lost sleep over South Carolina baseball, just to show how important it was to me."

Had he stayed, Tolleson would have lost all bargaining leverage -- plus a promising opportunity to fulfill the lifelong dream of following in his dad Wayne's major league footsteps.

After three weeks of negotiations, Tolleson accepted a package worth $220,000 to forgo his final year of eligibility. The deal includes a signing bonus, a lump sum to cover his final four semesters of college and potential incentives for his rise through the minor leagues.

Minnesota also agreed to let him hold off reporting until after July 4 so he could spend it celebrating the birthday of his girlfriend, Bailey Young, who lives across the fairway from Tolleson's family.

Tolleson will then join the Twins' short-season Elizabethon, Tenn., rookie league squad for its series in Kingsport, Tenn.

"One of the reasons I went ahead and signed was because they've told me I have the chance to move up quickly through the organization if I play well," he said.

Tolleson said club officials told him he'll likely be promoted from Elizabethton after 2-3 weeks because of his experience and the organization's shortage of middle infielders.

The Twins used two second-round picks on high school shortstops -- Paul Kelly and Drew Thompson, son of former San Francisco second baseman Robby Thompson -- but Tolleson said he was told he's considered two years ahead of them because of the level of competition in the Southeastern Conference.

Tolleson's draft stock was boosted by his relative offensive punch for a middle infielder. A career .304 hitter at USC, he tallied six homers and finished second on the team with 46 RBIs as a junior.

Thompson has yet to sign, while Kelly hit .214 in his first four games with the Twins' Gulf Coast rookie league squad.

Elizabethton's only current shortstop is 41st-rounder Toby Gardenhire -- son of Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire -- who signed after his junior season at Illinois and was batting .125 through Thursday.

Minnesota also spent its 2004 first-round pick on prep shortstop Trevor Plouffe, but Plouffe is hitting .197 for its low-A affiliate in Benoit, Wis.

If and when Tolleson is promoted, the Twins have Single-A farm teams in Beloit and Fort Myers, Fla.

"I'm extremely excited," Tolleson said. "Ever since I watched my dad in major league parks, this is what I've wanted to do."