South Carolina baseball: Former Gamecocks gearing up for MLB’s Opening Day

A few former South Carolina baseball players are gearing up for the start of the MLB season, including last year’s American League hits leader.

Opening Day in Major League Baseball is finally upon us, following a lengthy wait in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic. The season will look a bit different this year, with a shortened 60-game schedule, but nevertheless, fans are excited for some live entertainment in what’s been a strange year in sports.

The Yankees face off tonight against the defending World Series champion Nationals to start the 2020 festivities, with a divisional matchup between the Giants and Dodgers following to complete the Opening Day doubleheader. The rest of the league will get started on Friday.

Seven former Gamecocks are set to make their 2020 debuts this week. Let’s get to the list.

JACKIE BRADLEY JR (BOS)

The Red Sox centerfielder is entering a contract year, meaning he’ll become an unrestricted free agent following the season’s end. He’s in his eighth big league season, totaling 91 home runs and 354 runs batted in, while also being one of the best defensive outfielders in the MLB (’18 Golden Glove winner). Last year, the former ALCS MVP hit .225 with 21 HR and 62 RBI.

GRAYSON GREINER (DET)

Greiner will likely be the Tigers’ backup catcher behind the plate in 2020, after appearing in 58 games last season. In those 58 games, he hit .202, with five home runs and 19 runs batted in. Defensively, the 6’6” backstop threw out 13 of 38 attempted base stealers, a 25% success rate.

JORDAN MONTGOMERY (NYY)

Montgomery was optioned to the Yankees’ alternate training site on Tuesday, and will not begin the season on the Opening Day roster. He is, however, expected to be called back up to the bigs over the next week or so, after the squad goes one time through their pitching rotation. After spending most of last season recovering from 2018 Tommy John surgery, the fourth-year player looks to return to his rookie-year form, when posted a 9-7 record, recorded a 3.62 ERA, and stuck out 144 batters in 155.1 innings.

WHIT MERRIFIELD (KC)

The former College World Series hero has now led the Major Leagues in hits each of the past two seasons. Last year, he compiled 206 hits, including a MLB leading 10 triples, as he put together his best season to date. Over his four-year career, Merrifield has totaled 49 home runs, 241 runs batted in, and 107 stolen bases, while maintaining a .296 batting average.

JUSTIN SMOAK (MIL)

Smoak is the oldest Gamecock on the list, as he enters his 11th big league season. In that time, he’s been a .231 hitter, racking up 191 home runs, 555 runs batted in, and 542 walks. After spending the last five years in Toronto, he’s now moving on to his first season with the Brewers. Smoak has also spent time with the Mariners and Rangers. He hopes the hitter-friendly confines of Miller Park in Milwaukee will help him make it four straight seasons of 20 or more homers.

CHRISTIAN WALKER (ARI)

Walker enters his fifth season, although last year was his first in a starting role. In 152 games, he hit .259 with 29 home runs and 73 runs batted in. Defensively, he led all National League first basemen in assists while posting a .991 fielding percentage. He’ll look to cut down on strikeouts, as he racked up 155 over his 529 at bats, but that’s somewhat expected with young power hitters.  If he churns out another 25+ home run season, the Ks will be forgiven.

TYLER WEBB (STL)

Webb went 2-1 in a relief role for the Cardinals last season, posting an ERA of 3.76 and also notching a save. Over 55 innings, the left-handed specialist struck out 48 batters and allowed just 23 walks. His 65 appearances a year ago was a career high, and the 6’5” reliever will look to build on a successful 2019 campaign.