Will Sanders, once a projected first-rounder, taken in MLB Draft’s fourth round
The Chicago Cubs selected South Carolina right-hander Will Sanders in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft on Monday.
Picked No. 113 overall, Sanders is the second Gamecock to hear his name called in this year’s draft.
A 6-foot-6, 230-pound pitcher from Atlanta, Sanders burst onto the scene as a freshman with visions of him evolving into a potential first-round pick by his junior year. That vision never quite came to fruition.
Opening the season as USC’s Friday starter, Sanders regressed in his junior year, struggling through ineffectiveness and a lower-body injury that cropped up late in the season and put him in a walking boot. Sanders finished with a 4-4 record and 5.46 ERA in 2023, though he did post the best strikeout rate of his career with 77 in 62.2 innings.
The season was a far cry from Sanders’ freshman and sophomore seasons, when he finished 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA and 7-3 with a 3.43 ERA, respectively. Throughout his career, the home run ball has been his Achilles’ heel. Sanders allowed 14 homers in 15 starts in 2022, and he allowed 11 in 14 appearances in 2023.
Once thought of as a Day 1 draft pick due to his combination of pure stuff and a projectable frame, Sanders saw his stock slip due to his 2023 struggles. Pitching coach Justin Parker said Sanders was touching 98 miles per hour in the fall, but he pitched closer to the 91-95 mph range throughout the season while also trying to incorporate a sinker into his arsenal to reduce fly balls.
At his best, Sanders can dominate a game with his mid-90’s heater, wipeout slider and changeup. He’s been on the national radar for some time, earning an invitation to play for USA Baseball’s collegiate team after his freshman season.
Despite Sanders’ struggles in 2023, head coach Mark Kingston credited the right-hander for his attitude and resolve to come back from injury. Sanders said doctors told him they didn’t think he would pitch again this year.
“I think Will deserves a lot of credit,” Kingston said at the end of the year. “He could’ve easily said, ‘Coach, I’m done for the year.’
“He could’ve taken the easy way out, but he didn’t.”
The second day of the MLB Draft includes rounds 3-10. The draft will conclude 2 p.m. Tuesday with rounds 11-20.
