South Carolina Baseball: Gamecocks’ 2023 Season Preview
By Kevin Miller
The South Carolina baseball program is one of the most storied programs in college baseball history, especially during this century. The second most wins in the SEC since 2000 culminated with three straight national title series appearances, with the Yardcocks bringing home the College World Series trophy in the last season at Rosenblatt Stadium (2010) and the first season at TD Ameritrade Park (2011).
Recent years have not been as kind to South Carolina baseball, however. Following legendary Head Coach Ray Tanner was not a successful venture for Chad Holbrook, and current Skipper Mark Kingston appears to be on the hot seat heading into the 2023 season.
However, the Gamecocks have enough talent on the roster to compete in the country’s best conference and turn around the Mark Kingston-era in Columbia. As they await their season-opening series against the University of Massachussets-Lowell River Hawks, the Gamecocks are listed inside the preseason top-25 according to several college baseball publications, and several players on the team are on watch lists for spots on All-American teams and postseason awards. With the return of national champion-era Assistant Coach Monte Lee and the promotion of Scott Wingo (who scored the game-winning run in the 2010 championship final) to a full-time assistant, fans expect the winning ways to return.
The SEC is as good as it has ever been, so the challenge will be immense for South Carolina baseball. If the play on the field matches the roster’s potential, though, the Gamecocks could be right in the thick of things come SEC Tournament time.
The Pitching
Arguably the most impressive part of Ray Tanner’s national title teams was the men on the mound. Names like Michael Roth, Matt Price, and Blake Cooper are synonymous with winning performances, and the 2023 pitching staff hopes to continue that legacy.
Headlined by potential early draft pick Will Sanders, the Gamecock pitching staff has one of its most talented groups in years heading into 2023. Past Sanders, the weekend rotation will see a competition between a group of pitchers who have shown flashes of brilliance in the past. Jack Mahoney was a freshman All-American in 2021 before an injury kept him from performing in 2022, and Noah Hall returned to school after being selected in last year’s MLB Draft. From the left side, Matthew Becker has shown moments of brilliance and looks to be more consistent in 2023, and right-handed Dylan Eskew is an intriguing starter option from the junior college ranks.
Another freshman All-American Cade Austin returns in the bullpen but may push for some starts as he has opened games in the past. MLB Draft pick James Hicks is another pitcher who may perform as a starter or out of the bullpen. He has worked his way back from injury and appears ready to display his considerable talent in garnet and black. Infielder Michael Braswell saw time as the closer last year, but late-season struggles may indicate his future is best spent as a full-time position player.
Eli Jerzembeck is a name to watch among the talented freshmen brought in by Mark Kingston’s staff this offseason as his analytic data reveals a 3000+ RPM breaking ball with a plus fastball, and Notre Dame transfer Roman Kimball was a strikeout machine last year who is sure to eat some innings this season.
The Infield
The transfer portal will be a massive part of the infield equation for the Gamecocks. Southern Miss transfer Will McGillis likely will compete at second base and provide South Carolina with a power bat from the right side, having hit sixteen home runs last season in Hattiesburg. Two lefty transfers will be among those battling for the starting job at first base in Memphis defection Jacob Compton and ex-Vanderbilt Commodore Gavin Casas.
Talmadge Lecroy seems to have taken a step forward this offseason and will certainly see considerable time behind the plate at catcher with Colin Burgess moving on, but he will be challenged by Clemson transfer Jonathan French. Sophomore Cole Messina is an impressive athlete for a catcher and could see an increased role in 2023, especially if the bats of Lecroy and French earn additional playing time at designated hitter or an unsettled first base position.
Word out of Columbia seems to indicate that star infielder Braylen Wimmer (another MLB Draftee returning to school) is moving to shortstop, and extremely talented sophomore Michael Braswell would subsequently need to move positions to keep playing. Returning corner infielder Kevin Madden will likely see time at both third and first and returning sophomore Carson Hornung saw action at multiple positions last season.
The Outfield
Predicting the Gamecocks’ outfield is a difficult task as the Gamecocks lost three contributors in Josiah Sightler, Andrew Eyster, and Brandt Belk who saw outfield time in 2022. Columbia native Evan Stone is a defensive maestro in center and will certainly continue to see playing time in 2023 if he can put together some success at the plate. Carson Hornung played all over for the Gamecocks last season but could see some time in the outfield.
Newcomers from the portal Dylan Brewer (Clemson) and Caleb Denny (Oral Roberts) both present interesting power-speed combinations that should warrant extensive looks in the outfield. While he may win the first base job, doubles machine Jacob Compton also has experience playing in the outfield.
In a pinch, athletic infielders Wimmer and Braswell could play in the outfield, but they are likely too valuable to the team’s infield success for a move to be possible. Freshman pitcher Ethan Petry showed offensive value in high school (12 home runs and 46 steals) and could find himself seeing some non-pitching playing time because of it.