South Carolina Baseball: Gamecocks pick up transfer portal player from SEC rival
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina baseball’s busy transfer portal-infused offseason continued on Friday. The Gamecocks had already added top portal names like Kennedy Jones, Austin Brinling, and Ty Good as part of an eight-man class of transfers, but, on Friday, that class became a nine-man group.
The Gamecocks landed a commitment from former Vanderbilt Commodore infielder Parker Noland.
https://twitter.com/Gamecockswag201/status/1674857618228105218?s=20
GamecockCentral’s Collyn Taylor reported that the multi-year starter will be spending his final year of eligibility in Columbia.
Noland was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 2019 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft but elected to enroll at Vanderbilt instead. While at Vandy, the left-handed swinging Noland started for most of his career in black and gold. Noland spent time at several positions across the Commodore infield and spent 2023 as the team’s primary first baseman.
For his career, Noland has been a .269/.351/.423/.774 hitter who delivered 60 extra-base hits, 112 runs scored, and 119 runs batted in. His most impressive offensive showing came against Mississippi State this season when he went 5-6 with two grand slams and 11 RBIs. He was named the SEC Player of the Week that week after also adding three more hits, including another home run and three more RBI.
On next year’s South Carolina baseball squad, Noland profiles as a player who could compete for significant playing time. The Gamecocks are returning Gavin Casas (1B/DH), Talmadge LeCroy (3B/2B/1B/C), and Will Tippett (utility) as likely contributors on the infield. VMI transfer Zac Morris and several true freshmen could factor into the battles across the infield, as well.
Another transfer infielder could be on his way to Columbia, as well. Clemson defection Billy Amick is set to decide his transfer destination soon and is heavily considering the Gamecocks. Amick was recruited by and played for current South Carolina baseball assistant Monte Lee when Lee was the head coach for the Tigers.