South Carolina Baseball: Coach Mark Kingston Provides More Insight into Opening Day Starting Lineup

On Tuesday, South Carolina baseball coach Mark Kingston and Pitching Coach Justin Parker announced the Gamecocks’ starting rotation for opening weekend this weekend against UMass-Lowell. On Wednesday, during 107.5 The Game’s Carolina Calls, and on Thursday during his final preseason press conference, Coach Kingston shed even more light on what his team might look like this weekend.

After talking about his players, the Gamecocks’ Head Coach announced that Coaches Alek Boychuk (a former player, turned student assistant) and Scott Wingo (who scored the winning run in the 2010 College World Series Championship Series) will coach first base and third base, respectively.

During Carolina Calls, the voice of Gamecock baseball (and men’s basketball) Derek Scott asked Kingston about his lineup for opening day. Kingston did not reveal much about the specifics of the batting order, but he did reveal most of the players he expects to be starters at the beginning of the season and gave a preview of his bullpen. Kingston also offered a little more information during his Thursday press conference. Here’s everything he shared:

The Outfield

Evan Stone will start the year as the team’s primary center fielder. Stone is an elite defensive outfielder and has good wheels on the bases. He struggled at times with the bat last season, but according to Kingston, he has made some strides in improving that area of his game by getting stronger this offseason. He is expected to hit toward the bottom of the order.

Caleb Denny, the Oral Roberts transfer, will play in a corner, probably in left. Denny is a left-handed bat that can still hit lefties. Kingston confirmed what Scott opined when he said that Denny has “great bat control” and can hit for some power, as well. He has enough speed and power to hit at the top of the lineup or in the middle depending on what the team needs. Coach Kingston likes Denny’s defense in left field.

Carson Hornung was utilized in a utility role last season but has shown enough this offseason to secure more playing time early in the season. Kingston said the Gamecocks will deploy Hornung as the team’s designated hitter. Hornung will play some outfield this season and has some ability to play in the infield, as well. Regardless of where he plays, though, Hornung’s bat has come a long way since last season, and he is expected to hit for power in the middle of the Gamecock order.

Dylan Brewer is a speedy outfielder who transferred in from Clemson. He is a candidate to start in the outfield and has the versatility to play all three outfield spots. A good base stealer and defender, Brewer could be used off the bench as a defensive replacement or as a pinch runner. New Associate Head Coach Monte Lee coached Brewer at Clemson, and that familiarity could prove vital for the senior’s usage early in the season.

Chris Veach, another in-state transfer, came to Carolina from Presbyterian College. Veach will be used as a pitcher out of the bullpen but will also play some in the outfield or as a DH against left-handed pitchers.

Will Tippett is a freshman utility player who could see time in the outfield if he hits well. Expected to compete for playing time at all three outfield spots and at third base and second base, Tippett is a switch hitter who can run well. Because of his versatility, Tippett likely will play a fair amount until position battles are settled.

Connor Fuhrman will miss the season with a knee injury.

Platooning (matching up lefties against righties and righties against lefties) could be a common theme early in the season, particularly in unsettled positions like right field and third base.

The Infield and Catchers

Braylen Wimmer, as expected, will be the opening day shortstop. Coach Kingston is very excited to see how his range translates to short and commented about Wimmer’s increased arm strength this offseason. He will be a run producer in the lineup and can be a table-setter at the top of the lineup or a bases-clearer in the middle of the order.

Michael Braswell started at shortstop last season but lost the job to Braylen Wimmer this fall. The talented sophomore has been part of the battle at both third base and second base but seems most likely to find a role at third. If his bat gets hot, that’s where he will play, but there are several other players vying for playing time at the hot corner who are swinging the stick better than Braswell during the preseason.

Gavin Casas is a big first baseman who left Vanderbilt after injuring his knee. Now healthy, he has flashed “light tower power” according to his head coach and will get the nod as the opening day first baseman. He is a lefty who has struggled against fellow lefties in the past, but his primary competition for playing time (Jacob Compton) is currently injured and also a lefty.

Cole Messina has ridden an excellent offseason to the likely starting catching job. Expected to split some time with fellow sophomore Talmadge Lecroy, Messina will start behind the dish more as Lecroy is factoring heavily into the third base job, as well. Messina is a good defensive catcher and has hit well during the preseason.

Talmadge Lecroy was expected to split time with Cole Messina in a timeshare at catcher, and he still might. However, he might begin the year as the starting third baseman for the Gamecocks. He has hit too well this offseason to be left out of the lineup. When he catches, Michael Braswell, Will Tippett, and Kevin Madden will be the favorites to play third.

Will McGillis is a big second baseman who is a grad transfer from Southern Mississippi. Non-stereotypical for second base in both size and power, McGillis hit 30 homers for the Golden Eagles before transferring. Coach Kingston said he will be a positive surprise defensively and will play one-third of “one of the best up-the-middle” defenses in the SEC with shortstop Braylen Wimmer and center fielder Evan Stone.

Will Tippett could play any position other than catcher or pitcher for the Gamecocks. A true utility player, he will likely see the field often as position battles are taking shape early in the season. His speed could allow for him to be utilized as a pinch runner, especially since he can fill in at almost any position after entering the game.

Ethan Petry is a true freshman with lots of power. He will compete at third base and designated hitter this season but could very well be the future for the YardCocks at the hot corner as he continues to develop.

Kevin Madden is an experienced player with a solid bat. He will see some time at the infield corners and at designated hitter if he plays well offensively.

Jacob Compton has an injured back but is expected to compete at first base, designated hitter, and corner outfield upon a healthy return.

Platooning (matching up lefties against righties and righties against lefties) could be a common theme early in the season, particularly in unsettled positions like right field and third base.

The Bullpen

After repeating the announcement of utilizing an opening rotation of Will Sanders, Noah Hall, and Jack Mahoney, Kingston talked about his pitching staff.

Michael Becker will get opportunities to start, likely starting the year as one of the mid-week starters. When he is not used in the mid-week, Becker will be an option out of the bullpen as one of the team’s few left-handed pitchers.

James Hicks returned from injury and will contribute in 2023. Another potential mid-week starter, Hicks will pitch out of the bullpen during weekend series when he is available.

Cade Austin was the team’s best overall reliever last season and will continue in that role this year. He has the potential to start during the mid-week some, as well, but the Freshman All-American from a season ago could slot into the closer role for Justin Parker’s bullpen.

Jackson Phipps has only pitched as a reliever during his Carolina career, and that will likely continue in 2023. He is slotted as one of the leading left-handed relievers for the Cocks’ bullpen, a role that will be of utmost importance for the team’s success.

Eli Jerzembeck might be the most electric pitcher on the team, which is impressive considering the starting rotation that South Carolina has at its disposal. The freshman boasts a big fastball that will be displayed out of the bullpen. Because of how talented Jerzembeck is, though, he will be given opportunities to earn a starting spot. If he does not earn a spot starting consistently, Kingston anticipates using Eli as a “stopper” who can pitch multiple innings to close out games.

Eli Jones is a solid returner to the Gamecock bullpen who has experience starting games on the mound, as well.

Chris Veach will provide outfield depth (particularly facing lefties) and can pitch out of the bullpen. It is unclear if Veach will be able to do both in the same game as Michael Braswell did a season ago.

Nick Proctor transferred in as a graduate from the University of California and will provide some veteran experience to the back end of the bullpen.

Ricky Williams and Roman Kimball will both miss the entire season with injuries