Former Gamecocks enjoying success in Major League Baseball

At this time last season, Jackie Bradley Jr. was playing for the Pawtucket Red Sox in Triple-A. Now, the 26-year-old is an MLB All-Star.

Bradley Jr. is the most notable of the five former Gamecocks currently playing Major League Baseball, as he will start in the outfield for the American League in Tuesday’s All-Star game.

He’s having a career year, batting .293 with 21 doubles, six triples, 14 homers and 54 RBIs in 80 games – all career highs.

“We couldn’t be more excited for him,” South Carolina coach Chad Holbrook said. “It’s so nice to see his hard work and dedication rewarded. Being named a starter in an all-star game is one of the biggest compliments you can get in his profession. It’s been really special to see him accomplish this great success at the highest level.”

Bradley Jr. bounced back and forth between the majors and minors after making his MLB debut in 2013 until finally settling in near the end of last season.

The Virginia native hit .354 with five homers and 23 RBIs last August, and the Red Sox committed to making him a part of the every-day lineup moving forward.

“I think we saw this coming at the end of last year. He found his confidence and finally believed he belonged,” Holbrook said. “The Red Sox showed him great confidence this offseason, and he’s just been himself this year.”

Two other members of South Carolina’s 2010 national championship team are also making a splash in the big leagues, as Sam Dyson is serving as the closer for the team with the best record in the American League and Whit Merrifield is starting at second base for the Royals after making his MLB debut in May.

Dyson has converted 17 of 19 save opportunities for the Rangers with a 2.66 ERA in 40 2/3 innings.

“We all knew that Sam was one of the more talented pitchers that we’ve had in the program in recent times. It’s tough to get into the big leagues and become a closer. He’s had to bide his time,” Holbrook said. “I knew if Sam got healthy, he had a chance to pitch in the big leagues for a long time. He has all the makings of being an all-star major leaguer himself.”

Merrifield has been in the starting lineup just about every day since being promoted, and is hitting .293 with 13 doubles, one triple, two homers and 15 RBIs in 43 games.

Tampa Bay first baseman Steve Pearce is currently on the disabled list, but was having one of the best years of his career before injuring his hamstring, batting .323 with nine doubles, nine homers and 25 RBIs. Toronto first baseman Justin Smoak got off to a hot start but has tailed off, hitting .229 with eight doubles, nine homers and 23 RBIs.

South Carolina AD Ray Tanner was the coach for all of the former Gamecocks currently in the big leagues, and said he couldn’t be prouder of his former players’ success.

“It’s very gratifying, not just for me personally, but for Coach Holbrook and everybody affiliated with the program,” Tanner said. “A few years ago, a general manager I was speaking to said, ‘The thing about guys that come out of the University of South Carolina is they know how to play the game. They respect the game and they play it hard.’ You still have to have great ability and you have to have success, but it’s a real compliment to the program to see guys in the big leagues.”

The success of South Carolina players in professional baseball doesn’t go unnoticed to recruits. The Gamecocks had the second-ranked class in 2015, and consistently put together top classes. While having one of the nicest stadiums in college baseball helps, so does having former players be successful in the majors.

“It can do nothing but help you,” Holbrook said. “That’s one of the byproducts of producing great kids and great players.”

The Gamecocks could have more players reach the big leagues soon.

Michael Roth already had a stint in the majors with the Rangers this season and Tyler Webb, Christian Walker and Bryan Harper are currently in Triple-A.

The Gamecocks had six players from this past year’s team drafted in Gene Cone, Marcus Mooney, Dom Thompson-Williams, Matt Vogel, Braden Webb and Taylor Widener, with Webb leading the way going in the third round.

In total, 17 college players were drafted in the first round of the MLB draft, a number Tanner said is higher than years past and a number he expects to continue to go up.

“I think where we are as a conference and college baseball in general, the commitment that has been made by athletics directors is paying tremendous dividends. Young men are making a choice that I can play professional baseball but I can go to college first and enjoy the collegiate experience while pursuing my degree and still get an opportunity to play in the big leagues at a later time,” Tanner said. “Professional teams, general managers, scouts are looking at these college players and the risks are not as great as going with a very young player. You can calculate the success a little bit better when you’re dealing with a 21-year-old.”