Former South Carolina baseball star signs with Atlanta Braves

South Carolina baseball legend Whit Merrifield is in his 9th year in Major League Baseball (and his 15th as a professional). During his career, he has made three Major League Baseball All-Star Games, led the league in hits (2x), doubles, triples, and stolen bases (3x), has been a Silver Slugger Award nominee at multiple positions, and has been a multiple-time Gold Glove nominee at second base as one of the league's top utility players.

2024, though, hasn't been the best year of his career. Merrifield signed a contract this offseason to be a super utility player off the bench for the World Series-contending Philadelphia Phillies. He struggled in his new environment and was released just before this year's All-Star Game.

It didn't take Merrifield long to find a new gig. On Monday morning, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the Atlanta Braves were signing Whit Merrifield to a Major League contract.

For now, it is unclear what Merrfieild's role will be in Atlanta. All-Star second baseman Ozzie Albies fractured his left wrist on Sunday, opening up some playing time at second. However, additional reports from MLB.com's Mark Bowman indicate that the Braves plan to call up top prospect Nacho Alvarez, an infielder by trade.

The Braves haven't had consistent play in the corner outfield or at shortstop this season, so Merrifield (who can play second base, third base, or the corner outfield) could have multiple avenues to see the field, especially if Alvarez winds up playing some at shortstop for the struggling Orlando Arcia.

During his South Carolina baseball career, Merrifield ranks in the top-6 in Gamecock history in hits and runs scored, despite only wearing garnet and black for three seasons before being selected in the 2010 MLB Draft. The most famous of Merrifield's 263 hits for USC came in his final at-bat as he was the man wielding the bat for the College World Series-clinching hit in 2010 that gave the Gamecocks their first National Championship.