South Carolina baseball 2022 MLB draft tracker

On3 imageby:Collyn Taylor07/19/22

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The MLB Draft is in full swing, and it’s a hectic 48 hours where a few South Carolina players will hear their names called.

The Gamecocks have a small handful of players—both current and in the 2022 class—who have the potential of getting drafted Monday and Tuesday.

No one with South Carolina baseball ties went off the board day one, the first and second rounds, but that will change the next two days.

There are plenty of Gamecocks dotting the Baseball America top 500.

Eli Jerzembeck headlines it, checking in as the No. 129 prospect. That would put him as an early day two selection.

Most of the 2022 recruiting class should also get to campus. Ethan Petry (No. 374) is the only other signee dotting Baseball America’s list.

Perfect Game ranks South Carolina’s 2022 class 21st nationally, although that is pre-draft.

“There’s a couple guys right there on the border of do they sign or do they not sign,” Mark Kingston said recently.  “You should have a couple guys like that every year. If you don’t you’re not recruiting at a high enough level. We have a few guys who will have a decision to make.”

There’s only one player on the current team on the top-500 list. Baseball America considers Braylen Wimmer comes in at No. 239.

Noah Hall and Josiah Sightler could both end up being selected as well. Although it seems likely both return to school.

Here’s a rundown of each player drafted with South Carolina ties:

Jacob Zibin

Team drafted by: Cleveland Guardians

Round, pick: 10, 301

Projected slot value: $151.90

2022 stats: N/A

The skinny: Zibin was a long shot to make it to campus, looking like the professional route would have been his go-to no matter what. The Gamecocks have plenty of quality arms to offset the loss of Zibin, if he does not make it to campus.

James Hicks

Team drafted by: Baltimore Orioles

Round, pick: 15, 437

Projected slot value: N/A

2022 stats: 7 IP, 5.14 ERA, 1 BB, 7 K, 1.571 WHIP

The skinny: Hicks entered the year as the team’s Saturday starter but was limited to two outings after tearing his UCL. If he comes back to school he could factor into the rotation or be a key bullpen piece.

Josiah Sightler

Team drafted by: Pittsburgh Pirates

Round, pick: 15, 440

Projected slot value: N/A

2022 stats: .300/.408/.629, 15 HR, 31 RBI, 42 SO

The skinny: One of the best hitters on last year’s team, Sightler was a force as a left-handed bat in the lineup. He could sign or come back and be a big piece of next year’s team.

Adam Serwinowski

Team drafted by: Cincinnati Reds

Round, pick: 15, 453

Projected slot value: N/A

2022 stats: N/A

The skinny: A high school arm, he could factor into the bullpen if he comes to college.

Braylen Wimmer

Team drafted by: Philadelphia Phillies

Round, pick: 18, 542

Projected slot value: N/A

2022 stats: .312/.361/.466, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 54 SO

The skinny: Wimmer was a big piece of the last two teams and could very well return to campus. He’ll have a decision to make but could improve his stock if he returns.

Noah Hall

Team drafted by: Milwaukee Brewers

Round, pick: 20, 612

Projected slot value: N/A

2022 stats: 76.2 IP, 4.34 ERA, 1.383 WHIP, 31 BB, 78 K

The skinny: Hall was the team’s best pitcher, and could come back and either start or be a swingman out of the bullpen if he opts to come back to school.

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