South Carolina baseball draft tracker: Every Gamecock selected in 2023 MLB Draft
COLUMBIA — South Carolina baseball had seven current players selected in the 2023 MLB Draft, plus two 2023 signees and an incoming transfer.
Junior pitcher Jack Mahoney was the first Gamecock off the board at No. 77 overall to the Colorado Rockies. Mahoney was Baseball America's No. 178 prospect entering the draft but went before No. 65 prospect Will Sanders, the Gamecocks' ace for much of last season. Sanders ultimately went in Round 4, joining Mahoney as the first South Carolina players selected earlier than the fifth round since 2020.
Canisius transfer pitcher Matt Duffy went just two picks after Sanders in Round 4, and Gamecocks signee George Wolkow was drafted in Round 7 alongside senior pitcher Noah Hall. Hall and senior shortstop Braylen Wimmer, who went in Round 8, were both previously selected in the 2022 MLB Draft but opted to return for a final college season.
Here's who was drafted from South Carolina's current and future roster:
South Carolina baseball players taken in 2023 MLB Draft
Jack Mahoney, Colorado Rockies
Drafted: Round 3, No. 77 overall
Slot value: $930,600
What to know: Mahoney came back from Tommy John surgery in 2022 and became South Carolina's best pitcher late in 2023. He was consistent in big games and finished with a 4.16 ERA and 84 strikeouts over 84.1 innings.
Will Sanders, Chicago Cubs
Drafted: Round 4, No. 113 overall
Slot value: $591,800
What to know: Sanders, considered a fringe Day 1 pick, slid to the fourth round after an underwhelming junior season at South Carolina. The right-handed pitcher has consistent mid-90s velocity and elite size at 6-6 but struggled with a significant lower-leg injury in 2023.
Matt Duffy, Boston Red Sox
Drafted: Round 4, No. 115 overall
Slot value: $580,200
What to know: Duffy recently announced his transfer to South Carolina after three seasons at Canisius. He was the 2023 MAAC pitcher of the year, throwing a career-high 124 strikeouts with a 4.32 ERA over 83.1 innings.
Noah Hall, New York Mets
Drafted: Round 7, No. 216 overall
Slot value: $235,000
What to know: Hall, a 6-0 right-handed pitcher, started strong in 2023 with a 3.29 ERA and 41 strikeouts over seven starts. However, he suffered a season-ending back injury after throwing 2.2 innings against Mississippi State on March 31. He was previously drafted in the 20th round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
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Braylen Wimmer, Colorado Rockies
Drafted: Round 8, No. 232 overall
Slot value: $209,400
What to know: Wimmer, a three-year starter for the Gamecocks, was previously selected in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He hit .304 with career-high on-base and slugging percentages. He also hit 14 home runs and led the team with 13 stolen bases.
James Hicks, Houston Astros
Drafted: Round 13, No. 404 overall
Slot value: N/A
What to know: Hicks stepped in as a weekend starter for South Carolina after Sanders' injury and rose to the occasion. He finished with a 3.48 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 67 innings. Hicks was previously selected in the 15th round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Cade Austin, New York Yankees
Drafted: Round 19, No. 582 overall
Slot value: N/A
What to know: Austin, a redshirt sophomore from Chapin, was one of South Carolina's regular relievers in 2023, appearing in 23 games with one start. He was named a freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball in 2022 and has a career ERA of 3.66 over 83.2 innings.
South Carolina baseball signees taken in 2023 MLB Draft
George Wolkow, Chicago White Sox
Drafted: Round 7, No. 209 overall
Slot value: $248,300
What to know: Wolkow, a 6-7, 237-pound infielder, reclassified to graduate in 2023 rather than 2024. He is a top-100 recruit and the No. 4 third baseman in the Class of 2023 according to Perfect Game. Baseball America rated him the No. 90 draft prospect entering the weekend.
Raudi Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels
Drafted: Round 19, No. 564 overall
Slot value: N/A
What to know: Rodriguez, a 6-0, 190-pound outfielder, was a top-400 recruit and the No. 65 outfielder in the Class of 2023 according to Perfect Game. He batted .352 with 14 RBIs and a .473 on-base percentage in his senior high school season.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Every South Carolina baseball player, signee picked in 2023 MLB Draft
