Brandon Cromer signs to play baseball with Gamecocks, adding to his family’s legacy
Brandon Cromer is well-versed in the history his family has with the South Carolina baseball program. Now, it’s Cromer’s turn to add another chapter to that history.
The Lexington High School standout signed his letter of intent Wednesday with the Gamecock baseball program on the first day of the fall signing period.
“I remember going to the South Carolina and Clemson baseball game when I was like 3 years old and fell in love with it from the start,” said Cromer, sporting a black Gamecocks polo on signing day. “I still remember sitting on the first base side. My neighbor was there and my neighbor’s dad was there. We had a pretty good time.”
Asked how many Gamecocks games he’s been to over the years, Cromer replied, “Too many to count.”
The pitcher/outfielder is the latest member of his family to be a part of USC baseball.
Roy Cromer, Brandon’s grandfather, was a former freshman coach at USC when they had a freshman team, and he played five years in the St. Louis Cardinals’ organization. His uncles, Tripp, DT and Burke Cromer. played with the Gamecocks. Tripp and DT went on to play professionally. Brandon’s cousin David played at USC from 2021-2024.
His father, Brandon Sr., committed to play with the Gamecocks but was a first-round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992 and played nine seasons in the minor leagues. His parents and other family members joined him for Wednesday’s ceremony, which featured 22 Lexington athletes signing letters of intent.
“It is a very special day. I am very proud of what he has done so far … and for him to be able to do what he has always wanted to do,” Brandon Sr. said. “... South Carolina is one of the top programs in the country and to be able to have the family, my brothers and son to go play there is special.”
Brandon committed to South Carolina when he was a freshman for then-coach Mark Kingston. He remained firm in his pledge after Kingston was fired in June and replaced by former LSU coach Paul Mainieri. He is one of 10 USC signees, six high school and four from junior college ranks, for Mainieri and the Gamecocks.
Lexington coach Brian Hucks has been close friends with the Cromers and was high school teammates with Brandon Sr., DT and Burke. Hucks remembers hearing about Brandon from his grandpa Roy — known as “Old Dad” — who would bring him to practices when he was 7 or 8 years old.
Brandon has lived up to his late grandpa’s words and played a role in helping Lexington to win the state championship last season, the program’s first since 2013. He pitched the final two innings of the series-clinching game and worked his way out of the bases-loaded jam in the seventh as Lexingto swept Ashley Ridge in the best-of-three-series.
“Old Dad always told me he was going to be the one and he was right. I know he is looking down on this day with a big smile on his face,” Hucks said. “Brandon is one of the most athletic players I ever coached. The sky is the limit on what he could do.”
Cromer hit. 308 with a homer, 27 RBIs and 20 stolen bases last season. On the mound, he was 9-1 with a 2.78 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 55 innings. S.C. scouting website Diamond Prospects ranks Cromer as the No. 2 left-handed pitcher in the state for Class of 2025.
Cromer will have a chance to both pitch and play in the field for the Gamecocks. Hucks said Cromer’s fastball is in the low 90s now and expects to see that increase during his senior year.
Cromer opted not to play football, where he was a receiver and quarterback, his senior year to concentrate on baseball, and Hucks said you can see the difference in the weight room and during fall practices.
“He has the frame, is left-handed, has the lineage and has all the things scouts want,” Hucks said. “I think his best baseball is ahead of him and I am going to sit back and watch him play his senior year.”
This story was originally published November 14, 2024 at 7:00 AM.
