Former Gamecocks pitcher dealt by the Yankees in three-team trade
A former South Carolina Gamecocks baseball player was a key piece included in a three-team trade Tuesday in the MLB.
Right-handed pitcher Taylor Widener was part of a deal that included major leaguers and minor-league prospects.
The former Gamecocks fireballing pitcher was sent from the New York Yankees organization to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Widener spent last season playing for the Yankees high-Class A team in Tampa, and will likely be assigned to a squad in the Diamondbacks’ farm system.
In the trade, the Yankees received utilityman Brandon Drury and also sent minor-league prospect Nick Solak to the Tampa Bay Rays, who dealt Steven Souza to Arizona.
Widener, who played high school baseball at South Aiken before signing with the Gamecocks, went 7-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 27 starts for the Tampa Yankees in 2017. He recorded 129 strikeouts in 157 2/3 innings, allowing 87 hits and 50 walks, while registering a 1.148 WHIP.
Last year was Widener’s first full minor-league season, after splitting 2016 with the Staten Island Yankees and Charleston RiverDogs after being drafted out of South Carolina in 12th round following his junior season. Widener got his first professional win over the Columbia Fireflies.
At South Carolina, Widener was used as a starting pitcher and out of the bullpen. He posted an 8-7 record and a 3.59 ERA in 57 appearances, including 14 starts. Widener recorded 150 strikeouts in 128 innings of work over three seasons on the mound for the Gamecocks.
The Yankees have drafted several former Gamecock pitchers in recent years, including Jordan Montgomery, Clarke Schmidt and Tyler Webb, who like Widener, has been traded.
This story was originally published February 20, 2018 at 8:09 PM with the headline "Former Gamecocks pitcher dealt by the Yankees in three-team trade."