Former South Carolina baseball left-handed slugger signs pro contract

The MLB Draft was last week, and a number of current Gamecocks and South Carolina baseball signees found themselves beginning their professional careers after being taken in 1 of the event's 20 rounds.

PJ Morlando (Miami Marlins; Round 1, Pick 16), Cole Messina (Colorado Rockies; Round 3, Pick 77), Brandon Clarke (Boston Red Sox; Round 5, Pick 148), Eli Jones (Minnesota Twins; Round 7, Pick 218), Garrett Gainey (Tampa Bay Rays; Round 9, Pick 276), and Carson Messina (Toronto Blue Jays; Round 12, Pick 367) all were taken. All have signed their contracts other than Clarke. Shortly after the draft, right-handed pitcher Chris Veach signed with the New York Yankees.

Several other players from last year's team have professional aspirations, and one of the graduating seniors signed a professional contract on Thursday.

According to his own announcement on social media, left-handed slugger Dalton Reeves has signed with the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball

As a South Division team in the AAIPB, the Saltdogs play in Lincoln, Nebraska and are in the midst of their 2024 season. Reeves will provide the team with a power bat from the left side of the plate and a player who can catch, play 1st base, or fill in as a corner outfielder.

If Reeves performs well, he could find himself getting a Major League Baseball opportunity. South Carolina baseball legend Jackie Bradley, Jr. was signed by the New York Mets this week after a strong couple of months with the independent Long Island Ducks.

Reeves transferred to the South Carolina baseball program ahead of the 2024 season after playing for Erskine and Presbyterian from 2020-2023. As a Gamecock, Reeves hit 11 home runs in just 119 at-bats, earning his way to a prominent role as the team's designated hitter late in the year. He finished the year with a .294/.370/.597.967 slash line.