Two USC pitchers sign, ready to begin pro baseball career

Cody Morris and Eddy Demurias are ready to begin their professional baseball careers.

Morris signed his professional contract with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. The Indians picked the right-hander in the seventh round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He was a junior and had the option to return for his senior season.

Baseball America’s Jim Callis reported Morris’ signing bonus is for the full $186,000 slot value. Morris was 9-3 with a 3.46 ERA in 16 starts this season for USC. He struck out 87 in 83 1/3 innings pitched.

Morris will likely begin his pro career with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, the Indians’ short-season affiliate in the New York Penn League.

Demurias, a 27th-round selection by the Cincinnati Reds, announced he was signing with the team via his Instagram page. Demurias (7-1, 4.87 ERA) was one of USC's most reliable relievers this year. He had three saves in a team-high 31 appearances.

South Carolina had a record 10 players on its roster drafted this year.

List of South Carolina's MLB draftees

Second round

55. Texas Rangers, Owen White, P, (USC Signee) – Signed for $1.5 million

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, (USC Signee) – Signed $747,500

Seventh round

223. Cleveland Indians, Cody Morris, P – Signed $185,600

10^th round

287. Philadelphia Phillies, Madison Stokes, SS

11^th round

339. Arizona Diamondbacks, Blaze Alexander, SS (USC Signee) – Signed $500,000

12^th round

349. Cincinnati Reds, Josiah Sightler, LHP (USC Signee)

13^th round

371. Washington Nationals, Graham Lawson, RHP

399. Arizona Diamondbacks, LT Tolbert, SS

17^th round

521. Washington Nationals, Ridge Chapman, P

23^rd round

683. Oakland A's, Jonah Bride, 3B

698. Chicago Cubs, Hunter Taylor, C

27^th round

799. Cincinnati Reds, Eddy Demurias, P - Signed

39^th round

1177. New York Yankees, Brady Allen, P, (USC Signee)

40^th round

1205. Milwaukee Brewers, Wes Clarke, C (USC Signee)

This story was originally published June 20, 2018 at 11:28 AM with the headline "Two USC pitchers sign, ready to begin pro baseball career."