COLUMBIA — South Carolina received great publicity in this year’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, with nine current or incoming players drafted.
But the pros certainly didn’t do next year’s roster any favors.
Even with most of the movement expected, the Gamecocks tottered out of the draft knowing they still have significant work to do in building next year’s team, particularly among the pitching staff. They knew they would lose 41 of 62 starts among Jack Mahoney, Will Sanders, Noah Hall and James Hicks — who completed the quartet by being selected in the 13th round on Tuesday by the world champion Houston Astros — and were really replacing 44 since rising sophomore Eli Jerzembeck had Tommy John surgery late in the year and won’t be able to pitch next season.
They lost more. USC got what it thought was going to be an immediate fill in Canisius transfer pitcher Matt Duffy, but he was picked in the fourth round on Monday and is expected to sign. Then on Tuesday, top middle reliever Cade Austin was nabbed in the 19th round by the New York Yankees.
Like the other eight connections — recruit George Wolkow has already announced he’s signing — Austin is expected to go. Meaning the Gamecocks’ coaching staff is going to have to re-hit the portal and anywhere else they can to replace what they knew they were going to lose, and what they thought they were going to have.
There were bright spots.
Closer Chris Veach, owner of the filthiest changeup in the SEC, was not drafted and should return. First baseman Gavin Casas, who clubbed 19 home runs and drove in 56, said before the draft that he was removing his name from consideration — that doesn’t actually happen, because teams can still pick a player who has done so, but usually won’t waste a pick on someone who has already declared he won’t sign — and will be back.
Ty Good, the reigning Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year who is transferring from College of Charleston to USC, likewise wasn’t drafted and should take a weekend role next year, and incoming freshman infielder Lee Ellis had some draft consideration attached to him but was not picked.
But it’s a significant hurdle, of experience and production, for the Gamecocks to clear if they want to build on a 42-win Super Regional season, and at the most important spot on the field.
The only other loss on Tuesday was incoming freshman outfielder Raudi Rodriguez, who was considered a longshot to make it to campus anyway. The Gamecocks had five pitchers among their six draftees, with shortstop Braylen Wimmer the other, and three transfers/freshmen.
State draftees
Rock Hill High shortstop John Wimmer, who was committed to The Citadel, was drafted by the L.A. Angels in the 11th round on Tuesday. The Angels also took Florence-Darlington Tech outfielder Rio Foster in the 16th round.
College of Charleston right-hander William Privette went to Texas in the 13th round and was followed by the Chicago White Sox selecting Wofford third baseman Ryan Galanie. Danny Flatt, a pitcher at P27 Baseball Academy in Lexington, went to the Yankees in the 14th round.
Two North Greenville teammates, shortstop Jalen Vasquez and left-handed pitcher Michael Rodriguez, went to Baltimore and San Francisco, respectively.
Hopkins to sign
Summerville native Brody Hopkins, who began his career at CofC and then transferred to Winthrop for last season, will sign with Seattle and begin his professional career. He was drafted in the sixth round on Monday.
“My agent texted me about nine picks before asking if I wanted to do this,” Hopkins said. “I walked outside, knowing it was a done deal, and everybody was cheering. I told them to hold on, I got to see my name up there before we can do anything.
“There were tears, excitement, something I’ve never felt before.”
The brother of former Gamecock T.J. Hopkins, who made his MLB debut this year, the younger Hopkins saw his stock soar during a first-team All-Big South season with the Eagles and then during postseason workouts in Arizona. Hopkins plans to fly to Seattle this week or at the beginning of next week to officially sign his contract, then head to wherever he’s assigned — most likely the spring training complex in Arizona to start working out, training, get on the nutrition plan and start playing rookie-league ball.
Of course big brother called and Brody told him that if they ever faced each other down the road, T.J. best not dig in too close or Brody would be tempted to pitch him inside.
“We shared a moment,” Brody said. “We’re both so proud of each other’s accomplishments. Nothing can compare to my brother getting to the big leagues and then his brother being drafted.”