2023 MLB Draft: Versatile Gamecock picked in 8th round
By Kevin Miller
![South Carolina baseball's Braylen Wimmer was taken in the 8th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2023](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F069c6c89522decfa91571f591f7a087ee65d99577be0b68e5802a87dcb0c849d.jpg "South Carolina baseball's Braylen Wimmer was taken in the 8th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. [Cyndi Chambers/ Gainesville Sun] 2023")
South Carolina baseball has played Braylen Wimmer all over the diamond. Wimmer played a lot of second base, center field, and left field but settled in as the starting shortstop as a senior. Even while playing injured in the NCAA Tournament, he made the All-Columbia Regional Team this past season. Wimmer’s 2023 MLB Draft stock was a major talking point during the season.
Wimmer was selected in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies but elected to return to school to up his stock. That decision appears to have paid off as the Gamecock senior was taken on Monday in the 8th round by the Colorado Rockies. He will be reunited with fellow Gamecock Jack Mahoney in the Rockies organization.
The Rockies, currently in a deep rebuild, are wanting to take as many talented players as possible in the 2023 MLB Draft, and players with versatility like Wimmer are a bonus as he could end up playing several positions as a pro.
Wimmer is a decent shortstop, but he is not an elite defensive shortstop. One of his best traits defensively at the position is that he has a lot of range with his 6’4″ frame and plus-athleticism.
His experience playing both middle infield positions and multiple outfield spots will offer the Rockies organization lots of flexibility in trying to figure out where he should play moving forward. Wimmer’s plus-bat and above average speed will earn him plenty of opportunities as he moves through Minor League Baseball.
During his South Carolina baseball career, Wimmer displayed this power-speed combination that many MLB organizations love. While in Columbia, Wimmer hit over 30 home runs and stole over 30 bases (with over an 80% success rate).
Wimmer joins starting pitchers Jack Mahoney, Will Sanders, Matt Duffy, and Noah Hall as Gamecocks selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. Though Wimmer could utilize his “Covid redshirt” to return to South Carolina baseball for another season, he is expected to sign a contract with the Rockies and become a professional.