Pair of Gamecocks selected late in Day 2 of the 2023 MLB Draft
South Carolina veterans Noah Hall and Braylen Wimmer both returned to school after being drafted last season, and they were rewarded with higher selections in the 2023 MLB Draft.
The New York Mets drafted South Carolina right-hander Hall in the seventh round of the draft on Monday after he was selected in the 20th round by the Milwaukee Brewers last summer. Wimmer heard his named called a round later by the Colorado Rockies, improving on his 18th-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2022.
The No. 216 pick overall, Hall was a two-year starter for the Gamecocks after transferring from Appalachian State prior to the 2022 season. However, Hall made just seven starts for USC in 2023 before a back injury ended his season. He last pitched March 31.
A 6-foot, 195-pound right-hander from Charlotte, Hall pitched primarily as a reliever for the Mountaineers and early on with the Gamecocks before injuries ravaged the USC pitching staff in 2022. Once Hall entered the rotation last year, he served as a stabilizing force and went 3-5 with a 4.34 ERA in 12 starts, especially thriving during conference play.
Before suffering his back injury, Hall was off to an even better start in 2023, going 5-1 with a 3.29 ERA and striking out 43 to nine walks in 41 innings.
Hall has a fastball that ranges 90-94 mph, but his changeup is by far his best pitch, with a spin rate comparable to big league changeups. Using it against both lefties and righties, Hall can command his changeup for strikes and also bury below the zone as a strikeout pitch. Throughout his time at USC, Hall also developed a mid-80s cutter to keep hitters honest and will mix in the occasional breaking ball, as well.
A 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-handed hitter, Wimmer was a three-year starter for the Gamecocks. After playing primarily at second base and in the outfield throughout his USC year, Wimmer won the shortstop role over incumbent Michael Braswell and slashed .304/.409/.561 with 14 home runs in 2023, doubling his homer total from the year before.
Before the season, Wimmer said he felt like he was too focused on the draft in 2022 and didn’t play for “the love of the game,” which is one of the key reasons he decided to return. Wimmer bounced back in a big way in 2023, playing strong defense at short, taking on a leadership role and providing stability at the top of the batting order.
Wimmer was the second USC selection by the Rockies on Monday after they drafted Gamecocks ace Jack Mahoney in the third round.
This story was originally published July 10, 2023 at 4:42 PM.
