South Carolina Baseball: Gamecock commit wins National High School Home Run Derby

In case you missed it, PJ Morlando committed to the South Carolina baseball program last week. He is the 3rd-ranked prospect in the country according to Perfect Game, and over the last several days, he has shown why the recruiting industry (and Major League Baseball scouts) love him as a player.

The rising high school senior was selected to play in the High School All-American Game in Seattle during MLB All-Star weekend. Morlando was named the game’s MVP, but his weekend of excellence wasn’t done just yet.

He was also chosen to be a participant in the All-American Game’s National High School Home Run Derby, though “participant” is too small a word to describe how role in the exhibition. Morlando slugged 24 home runs to advance to the finals of the event, including multiple shots to the third deck at T-Mobile Park, something only done recently by Shohei Ohtani.

On Monday night, sharing the stage with the stars from Major League Baseball, Morlando put on another show.

In a 60-second barrage, Morlando jacked 8 long balls to become the National High School Home Run Derby champion.

The South Carolina baseball commitment is one of just a handful of players to ever win both the All-American Game MVP and the National High School Home Run Derby crown.

With a transcendent talent like Morlando, many South Carolina baseball fans are wondering if he will actually make it to school. No one knows what Morlando’s decision-making might look like a year from now when he is eligible for the 2024 MLB Draft, but the professional scouts will have significant interest in the Summerville, South Carolina native.

Just yesterday, the Gamecocks lost a commitment in the class of 2023 when George Wolkow was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2023 MLB Draft. The reality is, that could happen again with Morlando. Early-round draft pick money is hard to turn down, and it is all but guaranteed he will be taken early in next year’s draft.

There is some reason for optimism for Gamecock fans, however. Morlando talks about the South Carolina baseball program differently than most potential first-round picks talk about their college commitments. He seems to genuinely be excited about the prospect of spending three or four years in Columbia.

So, South Carolina baseball fans, just watch this video of Morlando talking about your favorite team and let next year worry about itself.