An update on South Carolina players selected in the MLB draft

South Carolina had nine players with ties to the baseball program drafted, including six who played for the Gamecocks this past season.

All six players who were drafted have signed professional contracts and won’t return to USC.

The list includes juniors Braden Webb, Dom Thompson-Williams, Gene Cone, Taylor Widener and Matthew Vogel, as well as senior Marcus Mooney.

Webb was the highest draft pick, going in the third round, No. 82 overall, to the Milwaukee Brewers. The righty signed with the Brewers for a $700,000 but hasn’t appeared in a game.

Thompson-Williams was drafted by the Yankees in the fifth round, No. 158 overall, and signed for $250,000. He was sent to the Staten Island Yankees, a Short-Season Class A affiliate, and has appeared in eight games.

Thompson-Williams is hitting .242 with three RBIs and three stolen bases.

Thompson-Williams remains teammates with fellow former Gamecock Widener, who was drafted by the Yankees in the 12^th round, No. 368 overall. In one inning pitched, Widener didn’t allow a base runner and struck out two of the three batters he faced.

Cone was drafted in the 10^th round by the Mets, No. 310 overall, and signed for $150,000. He’s playing for the Brooklyn Cyclones, a Short-Season Class A affiliate, and is hitting .233 with two doubles and four RBIs in seven games.

Vogel was drafted in the 25^th round, No. 750 overall, by the Rays and has signed a professional contract, but has yet to appear in a game.

Mooney was drafted in the 10^th round, No. 289 overall, by the Braves. He signed for $5,000, a low amount because he was a senior with no leverage.

Mooney’s playing for the Danville Braves, an Advanced Rookie-Level team. In five games he’s batting .286 with a triple and an RBI.

South Carolina pitcher Wil Crowe, who redshirted last season, was drafted in the 21^st round, No. 632 overall, by the Cleveland Indians. He will return to USC and is expected to earn a spot in next year’s weekend rotation.

As for recruits, Joe Rizzo was drafted in the second round by the Mariners and signed for $1,750,000. Carlos Cortes was drafted by the Mets in the 20^th round but is expected to enroll.

Cortes is known as a very good hitter and has a chance to help the Gamecocks immediately.

This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 5:42 PM with the headline "An update on South Carolina players selected in the MLB draft."