2023 MLB Draft: Gamecock commitment gets drafted, turning pro
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina baseball has a player committed in the class of 2023 that some have called “the next Aaron Judge.” While the praise is likely hyperbolic, George Wolkow is a dynamic player and a huge human being (6’7″ and 240 pounds) with prodigious power, just like Aaron Judge. It comes as no wonder that Wolkow had serious interest from organizations leading into the 2023 MLB Draft.
Like Gamecock star Ethan Petry, Wolkow primarily played 3rd base in high school, but his size could instigate a move to first base or one of the corner outfield spots. Wolkow reclassified from the 2024 high school class to 2023 to get a jump start on his career, whether at the professional or collegiate level.
Perfect Game has Wolkow ranked inside their top-100 prospects list and has him rated as the 4th-best 3rd baseman in the country. Wolkow swings the bat from the left side of the plate and routinely sends balls way beyond the right field fence. At his size, Wolkow is a good athlete as he played basketball in high school and ran a sub-6.7 in the 60-yard dash.
On Monday, the 17 year-old Wolkow was picked in the 7th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. Wolkow has since announced that he plans to sign with the White Sox.
The White Sox are in the middle of a rebuild, and bringing in a talent like Wolkow will greatly improve their organization.
Losing out on Wolkow at South Carolina is a big blow. The lefty slugger would have had the chance to play in a very friendly park for left-handed power hitters, and the Gamecocks would have been the beneficiaries of plenty of Wolkow wallops.
Wolkow is from Downers Grove, Illinois. It is unclear if that played any role in his decision to sign with one of the two local Chicago clubs.
Wolkow was one of two South Carolina baseball signees to be drafted so far in the 2023 MLB Draft. Raudy Rodriguez is the other. Other Gamecock selections include pitchers Jack Mahoney, Will Sanders, Matt Duffy, and Noah Hall, James Hicks, and Cade Austin and infielder Braylen Wimmer.