2023 MLB Draft: Gamecock senior biggest draft snub

South Carolina baseball finished a strong 2023 season in the super regional round of the NCAA Tournament. That result was the Gamecocks’ first appearance in the supers since 2018, and South Carolina baseball’s regional host status was the program’s first top-16 seed since 2016, and second baseman Will McGillis was a big reason for that success. A former transfer, McGillis transferred to Carolina, in part, to give himself a chance to be taken in the 2023 MLB Draft.

McGillis only spent one year in Columbia and missed almost half the season with a broken bone in his arm. When The Southern Miss defection was on the field for Carolina, he was a dynamic player, providing Mark Kingston’s offense with power, on-base consistency, and steady defense up the middle at second base.

It was also no coincidence that the Gamecocks’ slump in the month of April (and part of May) was while McGillis was out. The Gamecocks were missing one of their most valuable bats and gloves while he recovered from his injury, and upon his return, South Carolina baseball was significantly better almost immediately.

McGillis wasn’t just a postseason hero, though. On the season, he was one of the Gamecocks’ very best offensive players. Gilly finished the year tied for 4th on the team with 14 home runs despite missing so much time with his injury. He also led the team in OPS; his 1.277 number was one of the top marks in the entire country and was ahead of Carolina’s two All-Americans Ethan Petry and Cole Messina.

When the first day of the 2023 MLB Draft passed by, McGillis wasn’t taken. No sweat, he wasn’t going to be taken in the top-two rounds.

Then, Monday came and went without a McGillis selection. That was a little strange as he seemed worthy of being selected late on day 2.

But when Tuesday’s 10th-20th rounds all came and went without the Gamecock second baseman being selected, it was nothing short of a travesty.

In moves that are about a lot of things other than baseball, several non-baseball players have been drafted during recent MLB Drafts instead of worthy players like McGillis. Former Clemson (now Oregon State) quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was taken in the 20th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, ironically, a team that could use some help at second base.

Uiagalelei hasn’t played baseball since high school.

This is not an indictment on multi-sport athletes being selected in the draft. Plenty of high school draftees change their minds and switch sports, and players who play multiple sports in college (like Kyler Murray or Jeff Samardzija) have earned more than one real opportunity. However, some players have been drafted despite teams knowing they will never play.

This isn’t a new trend as other famous football players like Johnny Manziel, Michael Vick, and Colin Kaepernick were all drafted by MLB franchises despite never having any intention of playing baseball.

Those draft picks take opportunities away from actual baseball players who work hard at pursuing their professional dreams, and Will McGillis and all those like him deserve better.

McGillis’ teammates Jack Mahoney, Will Sanders, Matt Duffy, Noah Hall, James Hicks, and Cade Austin and infielder Braylen Wimmer were selected in the 2023 MLB Draft. McGillis is completely out of eligibility at the college level and will look for a free agent contract to continue his baseball career.