Gamecocks set school record for MLB draft picks
It’s been a banner few days for the South Carolina baseball program.
After advancing to their first Super Regional since 2016, the Gamecocks set a school record with 10 players taken in the Major League Baseball Draft. The previous best was eight players taken in 2001 and 2002.
What makes it more impressive is that no USC player was named to any of the Southeastern Conference postseason teams.
It started Tuesday when Carlos Cortes went in the third round to the New York Mets and continued with six players taken on the final day Wednesday.
The Gamecock draftees include Cortes, Adam Hill (Mets), Cody Morris (Indians), Madison Stokes (Phillies), Graham Lawson (Nationals), LT Tolbert (Diamondbacks), Ridge Chapman (Nationals), Jonah Bride (A’s), Hunter Taylor (Cubs) and Eddy Demurias (Reds).
Gamecocks’ coach Mark Kingston said Tuesday night on Sports Talk he expected those non-seniors taken in the first 10 rounds (Cortes, Hill and Morris) to likely turn pro.
“We’re here to support these guys and help them chase their dreams for pro baseball, so when it's the right time and guys get drafted in the right spots, we're going to support that, obviously,” Kingston said Wednesday at his news conference.
The Gamecocks also had six signees drafted, led by Owen White's selection in the second round.
South Carolina MLB draftees
Second round
55. Texas Rangers, Owen White, P, Jesse Carson HS (USC Signee)
Third Round
83. New York Mets, Carlos Cortes, INF
Fourth round
110. New York Mets, Adam Hill, P
Fifth round
150. Tampa Bay Rays, Taj Bradley, P, Redan HS (USC Signee)
Seventh round
223. Cleveland Indians, Cody Morris, P
10th round
287. Philadelphia Phillies, Madison Stokes, SS
11th round
339. Arizona Diamondbacks, Blaze Alexander, SS (USC Signee)
12th round
349. Cincinnati Reds, Josiah Sightler, LHP (USC Signee)
13th round
371. Washington Nationals, Graham Lawson, RHP
399. Arizona Diamondbacks, LT Tolbert, SS
17th round
521. Washington Nationals, Ridge Chapman, P
23rd round
683. Oakland A's, Jonah Bride, 3B
698. Chicago Cubs, Hunter Taylor, C
27th round
799. Cincinnati Reds, Eddy Demurias, P
39th round
1177. New York Yankees, Brady Allen, P, George Jenkins HS (USC Signee)
40th round
1205. Milwaukee Brewers, Wes Clarke, C Liberty Christian Academy HS (USC Signee)
This story was originally published June 6, 2018 at 3:36 PM with the headline "Gamecocks set school record for MLB draft picks."