Gamecocks in Minor League Baseball: 2025 season recap

The 2025 Minor League Baseball season ended in dramatic fashion in the early hours of Sunday morning, as Jacob Berry helped the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp claim this year’s Triple-A National Championship title with a walk-off home run that defeated the Las Vegas Aviators by a 8-7 score.

No South Carolina baseball alumni appeared in that specific game, but exactly two dozen played in at least one MiLB game this season. Here’s how former Gamecocks performed over the course of the campaign.

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MLB

Carlos Cortes — Left Fielder, Athletics

Cortes, after spending the past six-and-a-half seasons in the minor leagues, received his first MLB call-up on July 22. He remained with the Athletics for the rest of the campaign, appearing in 42 games and hitting .309 with eight doubles, four home runs, 14 RBIs, 11 runs scored and a .866 OPS.

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Las Vegas (AAA)	71	267	55	86	24	0	17	77	2	41	.414	.603	1.017	.322
TOTAL	71	267	55	86	24	0	17	77	2	41	.441	.603	1.017	.322

Carmen Mlodzinski — Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

Mlodzinski was a mainstay in the Pirates’ rotation up until May 21, when he was sent down to Triple-A to address some mechanical issues. After shining in three starts with the Indianapolis Indians, he returned to the majors as a reliever.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Indianapolis (AAA)	3	2	0	15.2	11	2	2	7	16	1.15	1.15
TOTAL	3	2	0	15.2	11	2	2	7	16	1.15	1.15

Clarke Schmidt — Pitcher, New York Yankees

Schmidt began the season on the 15-day injured list and had two rehab starts with the Somerset Patriots before rejoining the Yankees’ big-league squad. Despite performing well in those two starts, his season would begin just like it started — except he was placed on the 60-day IL after undergoing Tommy John surgery on July 11.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Somerset (AA)	2	0	0	7.1	4	0	0	1	11	0.68	0.00
TOTAL	2	0	0	7.1	4	0	0	1	11	0.68	0.00

Triple-A

Jonah Bride — Third Baseman, St. Paul Saints (Minnesota Twins)

Bride began the season with the Miami Marlins but was traded to the Minnesota Twins on April 16 after being designated for assignment the day before. He remained in the big leagues until July 2, when he was outrighted to Triple-A.

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
St. Paul (AAA)	43	139	28	39	9	0	5	24	1	33	.423	.453	.876	.281
TOTAL	43	139	28	39	9	0	5	24	1	33	.423	.453	.876	.281

Garrett Gainey — Pitcher, Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay Rays)

Gainey flew up the minor-league ranks after being taken with a ninth-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. He was the only former Gamecock to play at four different MiLB levels last season, opening the door to a potential big-league call-up if he continues playing well in Triple-A.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Charleston (A)	7	1	1	10.0	8	7	7	4	10	1.20	6.30
Bowling Green (A+)	21	4	4	63.0	49	24	23	13	57	0.98	3.29
Montgomery (AA)	4	1	0	8.2	8	4	3	4	9	1.38	3.12
Durham (AAA)	2	1	0	6.0	3	0	0	0	5	0.50	0.00
TOTAL	34	7	5	87.2	68	35	33	21	81	1.02	3.39

Brett Kerry — Pitcher, Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels)

Outside of a brief rehab assignment, Kerry spent the entirety of 2025 pitching in Triple-A. He struggled with inefficiency and control throughout the season, though, as his ERA reached double digits at some points.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
ACL Angels (ROK)	4	0	1	8.0	7	5	5	6	9	1.63	5.63
Salt Lake (AAA)	21	8	9	108.0	134	94	93	40	81	1.61	7.75
TOTAL	25	8	10	116.0	141	99	98	46	90	1.61	7.60

Will Sanders — Pitcher, Iowa Cubs (Chicago Cubs)

Sanders started the season in Double-A but earned a promotion after nine strong starts. While his ERA jumped after playing against higher-level competition, he managed to finish the campaign with a winning record.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Knoxville (AA)	9	3	2	44.1	38	13	13	8	44	1.04	2.64
Iowa (AAA)	17	7	4	79.0	87	64	56	33	79	1.52	6.38
TOTAL	26	10	6	123.1	125	77	69	41	123	1.35	5.04

Double-A

Brady Allen — Right Fielder, Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers)

Allen made his home exclusively in Double-A for the second straight year in 2025. His performances weren’t strong enough to warrant him sticking around, though, as the SeaWolves released him on Aug. 8.

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Erie (A+)	26	76	10	13	9	0	1	8	1	12	.300	.329	.629	.171
TOTAL	26	76	10	13	9	0	1	8	1	12	.300	.329	.629	.171

Wes Clarke — First Baseman, Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)

Clarke, like Bride, was involved in a trade that sent him to another team. He played in Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds (a Milwaukee Brewers affiliate) to start the year, but after being dealt to the Astros for cash on June 19, was moved back down to Double-A.

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Corpus Christi (AA)	63	215	39	49	9	1	12	32	1	63	.399	.447	.846	.228
Nashville (AAA)	46	148	18	32	3	0	6	16	2	32	.352	.358	.710	.216
TOTAL	109	363	57	81	12	1	18	48	3	95	.381	.410	.791	.223

Wil Crowe — Pitcher, Reading Fightin Phils (Philadelphia Phillies)

Crowe was a reliable relief pitcher for the Pirates just three years ago, making 60 big-league appearances in 2022. After struggling to regain that form across two minor-league levels this season, he was released by the Fightin Phils on Aug. 22.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Reading (AA)	11	3	3	36.0	41	30	28	15	27	1.56	7.00
Lehigh Valley (AAA)	2	0	2	7.0	12	12	9	10	5	3.14	11.57
TOTAL	13	3	5	43.0	53	42	37	25	32	1.81	7.74

Thomas Farr — Pitcher, Chattanooga Lookouts (Cincinnati Reds)

Farr maintained a consistent presence in the Lookouts’ bullpen, despite boasting a high strikeout-to-walk ratio. He was also given opportunities to pitch in high-leverage situations, earning two holds but failing to convert his lone save opportunity.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Daytona (A)	4	0	0	13.0	13	7	6	7	5	1.54	4.15
Dayton (A+)	1	0	0	2.0	1	0	0	1	2	1.00	0.00
Chattanooga (AA)	20	0	1	26.0	25	13	9	7	16	1.23	3.12
TOTAL	25	0	1	41.0	39	20	15	15	23	1.32	3.29

James Hicks — Pitcher, Corpus Christi Hooks (Houston Astros)

Hicks spent much of the 2025 season on the injured list, initially being activated on Aug. 10. He flashed enough potential in those limited outings to earn an Arizona Fall League selection, joining three other former Gamecocks in the competition.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Corpus Christi (AA)	11	1	5	46.2	57	33	29	14	46	1.52	5.59
TOTAL	11	1	5	46.2	57	33	29	14	46	1.52	5.59

Daniel Lloyd — Pitcher, Chesapeake Baysox (Baltimore Orioles)

Lloyd didn’t see much movement this past season; he only spent four days with another minor-league team (the High-A Aberdeen Ironbirds) without making an appearance for them. 2025 was a step in the right direction for Lloyd, as he improved his ERA by 1.64 runs compared to the previous year.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Chesapeake (AA)	38	7	5	56.0	41	26	23	28	47	1.23	3.70
TOTAL	38	7	5	56.0	41	26	23	18	47	1.23	3.70

Jack Mahoney — Pitcher, Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies)

Mahoney earned a promotion at the start of the 2025 after splitting time in Single-A and High-A last season. But he may need to remain in Double-A for some time next year to showcase the stuff that wowed professional baseball scouts ahead of the 2023 MLB Draft.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Hartford (AA)	24	3	10	104.2	129	71	69	46	81	1.67	5.93
TOTAL	24	3	10	104.2	129	71	69	46	81	1.67	5.93

Cole Messina — Catcher, Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies)

Messina, after getting a brief taste of professional baseball life in 2024, remained in High-A to begin the following campaign. His production at that level not only warranted a promotion to Double-A before season’s end, but also a Northwest League All-Star nod.

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Spokane (A+)	107	374	48	97	23	1	7	42	14	51	.358	.382	.740	.259
Hartford (AA)	3	10	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	.200	.200	.400	.200
TOTAL	110	384	49	99	23	1	7	42	14	51	.354	.378	.732	.258

TJ Shook — Pitcher, Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets)

Shook was a very effective reliever at the Double-A level last year, with an ERA below 2.50 and more than four times as many strikeouts as walks. He was duly rewarded with a few spot starts and relief appearances with the Triple-A Syracuse Mets.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Binghamton (AA)	33	6	2	50.0	43	18	13	12	56	1.10	2.34
Syracuse(AAA)	3	0	0	6.0	5	2	2	5	5	1.67	3.00
TOTAL	36	6	2	56.0	48	20	15	17	61	1.16	2.41

Braylen Wimmer — Shortstop, Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies)

Messina wasn’t the only former Gamecock to earn Northwest League All-Star honors this past season. Before earning a promotion to Double-A in mid-July, Wimmer performed at an All-Star level as a utility player, playing six different defensive positions (in addition to designated hitter).

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Spokane (A+)	86	338	52	102	22	2	14	53	26	31	.376	.503	.879	.302
Hartford (AA)	45	162	20	46	8	0	3	16	11	13	.346	.389	.735	.284
TOTAL	131	500	72	148	30	2	17	69	37	44	.366	.466	.832	.296

High-A

Julian Bosnic — Pitcher, Greensboro Grasshoppers (Pittsburgh Pirates)

The former 14th-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft has made a name for himself at the High-A level, where he has remained the past two seasons. Bosnic has finished with a WHIP 1.50 or higher each of the past two seasons, but his ERA has remained below 3.60 during that time frame.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Greensboro (A+)	42	6	2	51.1	39	21	20	38	58	1.50	3.51
TOTAL	42	6	2	51.1	39	21	20	38	58	1.50	3.51

Noah Hall — Pitcher, Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets)

Hall struggled to find consistency in 2024, as injuries plagued his full first professional season. He found that consistency this past season, proving why the Mets selected him with a seventh-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Brooklyn (A+)	25	5	7	112.2	80	40	34	63	115	1.27	2.72
TOTAL	25	5	7	112.2	80	40	34	63	115	1.27	2.72

Single-A

Cade Austin — Pitcher, Tampa Tarpons (New York Yankees)

2025 was Austin’s second season in Single-A, and he slightly improved on the numbers he recorded the season before. He has limited opposing hitters to a .219 batting average over his entire minor-league career, which could warrant a promotion to a higher level in the near future.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Tampa (A)	37	5	1	52.2	46	25	18	24	57	1.33	5.13
TOTAL	37	5	1	52.2	46	25	18	24	57	1.33	5.13

Colin Burgess — Catcher, Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves)

Burgess began the season with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. But after being released by the club on March 27, the Braves signed him to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Single-A, where he remained for the rest of the year.

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Augustaa (A)	42	144	17	30	6	0	2	15	0	11	.277	.292	.569	.208
TOTAL	42	144	17	30	6	0	2	15	0	11	.277	.292	.569	.208

Eli Jones — Pitcher, Fort Wayne Tin Caps (Minnesota Twins)

A seventh-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Jones threw his first pitches as a professional baseball player this season. Jones’ 2025 numbers may not have been to his liking, but he should be more comfortable ahead of his second minor-league season next year.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Fort Wayne (A)	23	2	10	100.0	102	65	57	40	84	1.42	5.13
TOTAL	23	2	10	100.0	102	65	57	40	84	1.42	5.13

Ethan Petry — Outfielder, Fredricksburg Nationals (Washington Nationals)

Petry, the Gamecocks highest-drafted player (No. 49 overall in the second round) in 2025, made an immediate impact in Single-A. He recorded hits in eight of his first 10 professional games and launched his first home run in his fifth minor-league appearance.

TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	OBP	SLG	OPS	AVG
Fredricksburg (A)	24	87	11	25	3	1	2	10	1	13	.386	.414	.800	.287
TOTAL	24	87	11	25	3	1	2	10	1	13	.386	.414	.800	.287

Chris Veach — Pitcher, Tampa Tarpons (New York Yankees)

Veach signed with the Yankees as an undrafted free agent in August 2024. After spending a few months with the club’s Florida Coast League affiliate, he was sent to Single-A, where he limited opposing hitters to a .219 batting average in 2025.

TEAM	G	W	L	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
Tampa (A)	43	2	4	57.0	46	26	16	29	75	1.32	2.53
TOTAL	43	2	4	57.0	46	26	16	29	75	1.32	2.53

Rookie

Matthew Becker — Pitcher, FCL Twins (Minnesota Twins)

The Twins selected Becker with a 19th-round (No. 569 overall) pick in the 2025 MLB Draft this past July. He was immediately assigned to the club’s Florida Complex League affiliate; he did not record any statistics with the club.

Nathan Hall — Outfielder, ACL Diamondbacks (Arizona Diamondbacks)

The Diamondbacks selected Hall with a fifth-round (No. 153 overall) pick in the 2025 MLB Draft this past July. He was immediately assigned to the club’s Arizona Complex League affiliate; he did not record any statistics with the club.

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