2023 MLB Draft: Gamecock becomes 4th South Carolina hurler taken in draft
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina baseball starting pitcher Noah Hall was one of the SEC’s best pitchers in 2023 until a back injury sidelined him for the second half of the year. Hall was taken in the 20th round of the 2022 MLB Draft and improved his standing in the 2023 MLB Draft with his performance on the mound this season.
Unfortunately, some of the work he put in this season was lost with the injury. Back injuries are complicated and are (rightfully) a major red flag. Not much information came out about Noah Hall’s injury, either, further muddying the waters.
The back issue is likely why Hall ended up slipping further than some expected in the 2023 MLB Draft. In the end, the former Appalachian State transfer was picked by the New York Mets with the 216th pick (7th round) of the 2023 MLB Draft.
Hall was really good in garnet and black. He won the SEC Pitcher of the Week award twice in 2022 and two more times in 2023 (and Perfect Game named him their National Pitcher of the Week once in 2023). Hall had more strikeouts than innings pitched in all four of his collegiate seasons (two at App State and two at Carolina)
Noah Hall doesn’t just miss bats with strikeouts. He also induces weak contact. In 187 career innings, he’s only given up 46 extra-base hits.
His 3.29 ERA on the year is misleading. Hall hurt his back against Mississippi State and continued trying to pitch. He gave up five earned runs in less than 3 innings. Without that start, Hall would have posted an ERA of 2.35.
Hall joins fellow starting pitchers Jack Mahoney, Will Sanders, and Matt Duffy as Gamecocks selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. While he could utilize the “Covid redshirt” to return to South Carolina baseball for another season, Hall is expected to sign a deal with the Mets and become a pro.