A look at Gamecock alums in MLB: July recap

The Major League Baseball Trade Deadline has come and gone as the second half of the season is fully underway. Since the last update, there’s been plenty of action for the multiple former Gamecocks in the big leagues.

As the calendar flips to August, let’s take a look at how each of the Gamecock alums has been performing so far this season.

Jonah Bride — Minnesota Twins

In what’s been a tough season for the former South Carolina infielder, the Twins designated Bride for assignment on June 29. Since then, he’s been playing with the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, hitting .238 with one home run and six RBI in 14 games. But he still hasn’t gotten the call back up to the big leagues.

In his time with Minnesota this year, the 29-year-old is hitting .170/.248/.188 with no home runs and five RBI in 112 at-bats. He opened the year with the Miami Marlins before being traded to the Twins in April.

Carlos Cortes — Athletics

After spending the last seven years in the minors, Cortes finally earned his first call-up with the Athletics. Making his Major League debut on July 23, the 28-year-old picked up his first career hit the following day in a 1-for-3 performance against the Houston Astros. In that same game, he also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and threw out a runner trying to turn a single into a double.

While it’s only been a few games, Cortes has made the most of his opportunity since being called up. He’s picked up at least one hit in six of his first eight games and hit his first career triple on July 28.

Cortes is now the fifth Gamecock to have played in the MLB this season.

July stats — AB: 24, H: 7, AVG: .292, OBP: .308, SLG: .375, HR: 0, RBI: 1, K: 8, BB: 1

Jordan Montgomery — Milwaukee Brewers

Despite not pitching at all this season, Montgomery found himself being traded for the second time in his career. On Trade Deadline day, the former Gamecock left-hander and reliever Shelby Miller were traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Montgomery’s time with the D-Backs comes to an end after only one full season with the club. He’ll miss the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It’s the second time in his career that he’s had to undergo elbow surgery.

The 32-year-old had his worst season after going 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA in 21 starts in 2024. He struck out 83 batters and walked 44 as opponents hit .312 against him. Montgomery is set to hit free agency after this season.

Stay on top of all things Gamecocks for just $1 for 7 days—lock in this special offer today!

Carmen Mlodzinski — Pittsburgh Pirates

Ever since the Pirates recalled Mlodzinski on June 11, he’s pitched significantly better and will move into August fresh off his best month this season. He only allowed three runs in July as he pitched to a 1.80 ERA, his lowest mark in any month in 2025.

In his last 15 appearances, the right-hander has pitched to a 3.05 ERA with 34 strikeouts and eight walks in 44.1 innings. Overall, this year, he’s 2-6 with a 4.34 ERA in 20 appearances with nine starts. He’s struck out 52 batters and walked 17 in 66.1 innings of work.

July stats — GS: 0, App: 6, W-L: 0-1, ERA: 1.80, IP: 15.0, SO: 16, BB: 1, ER: 3, HR: 1, OBA: .222

Clarke Schmidt — New York Yankees

Less than two weeks after pitching seven no-hit innings against the Baltimore Orioles, Schmidt’s season came to an abrupt halt after a three-inning start in Toronto on July 3. The next day, he was placed on the injured list with right forearm tightness and later learned he would need to undergo Tommy John surgery.

Schmidt will miss the rest of this season and could miss all of 2026 as well, given the usual 13-15 month recovery timeline for TJ procedures. It’s a tough blow for the 29-year-old in the prime of his career.

Schmidt will finish his season having gone 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA over 14 starts. He struck out 73 batters and walked 30 while holding opponents to a .199 average in 78.2 innings.

July stats — GS: 1, W-L: 0-0, ERA: 9.00, IP: 3.0, SO: 1, BB: 2, ER: 3, HR: 1, OBA: .308

Christian Walker — Houston Astros

Walker easily had his best month of the season as he looks to be heating up at the right time with his new team. He got off to a hot start to July with a two-homer weekend against the Los Angeles Dodgers and then has carried that momentum into August.

This year, Walker is hitting .237 with 13 homers and 55 RBI in 393 at-bats. He’s been solid defensively at first base with a .993 fielding percentage and five errors in 101 games.

July stats — AB: 88, H: 28, AVG: .318, OBP: .367, SLG: .466, HR: 3, RBI: 18, K: 23, BB: 4

Discuss South Carolina baseball on The Insiders Forum!