Former South Carolina baseball stars earn All-Star nods

With Minor League Baseball seasons wrapping up, the leagues are sending out their postseason All-Star selections. A pair of former South Carolina stars found their names among those honored. In the High-A Northwest League, USC and Spokane Indians teammates Braylen Wimmer and Cole Messina earned recognition as the All-Star picks at their respective positions.

Wimmer picked up the distinction of being the Northwest League’s best utility player. Spending significant time at second base, third base, left field, right field, and designated hitter (and even a little at shortstop and center field), he supported his defensive versatility with a strong effort with the bat. He hit for an impressive .302/.376/.503/.879 slash line with 14 home runs and 26 stolen bases. Following the strong start, Wimmer earned a promotion to Double-A Hartford and continued to play all over the field.

During his South Carolina baseball career, Wimmer played multiple positions, too. He spent time in the outfield and in the middle infield with the Gamecocks. He was among the team’s best players during the 2023 Super Regional run.

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Messina, who split his time between catcher and designated hitter this season, earned his All-Star placement as a catcher. He had a solid year with the bat that included a .259/.358/.382/.740 slash line, seven home runs, and 14 steals. Messina also showed off good defense and a high power upside. Like Wimmer, he earned a call-up from Spokane to Hartford this season, joining his former teammate in September.

While in garnet and black, Messina proved to be one of the best catchers in program history. The South Carolina native was a two-time All-American with the Gamecocks, earning a spot on the team in both of his years as the USC starter. He won the 2024 Johnny Bench Award as the nation’s top catcher.

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Messina and Wimmer spent two years together with the Gamecocks in 2022 and 2023. They have now spent two years together as professionals and are slated for a third to begin next spring in Hartford.

Both Wimmer and Messina earned MLB Draft selection by the Colorado Rockies organization. Wimmer’s 2023 selection came in the eighth round, while Messina’s 2024 pick came in the third round.

Though not named an All-Star, former South Carolina standout Carlos Cortes picked up a significant honor, as well. The switch-throwing Cortes received his first Major League Baseball call-up this summer. He had a strong season at the plate for the Athletics organization, hitting for a .329/.349/.595/.944 slash line. He also made MLB history as the first documented non-pitcher to play as both a left-handed thrower and right-handed thrower in the same game.

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