South Carolina Baseball: Gamecocks pick up HUGE transfer portal commitment at position of need

South Carolina baseball is in line to compete for the College World Series in 2024. The Gamecocks made their first Super Regional since 2018 last season and are poised to be even better this spring if they have a few pitchers step up as expected.

In particular, South Carolina baseball fans are excited about the upside of their lineup. The Gamecocks return All-Americans Ethan Petry (likely corner outfield) and Cole Messina (catcher) to hit in the middle of the lineup alongside left-handed bopper Gavin Casas (first base) and transfer portal gem Kennedy Jones (outfield).

With an additional projected starter returning at third base, a defensive maestro available to play center field, and transfers seemingly ready to fill in any needed outfield positions, the middle infield remained the only position player question marks for the Gamecocks heading into the 2024 season.

Will Tippett played all over for the Gamecocks last season as a freshman, Vanderbilt defection Parker Noland could factor into the 2nd base job, and incoming freshman Lee Ellis is a talented player who can play up the middle. Even still, there were not any seeming guarantees of major production in the middle of the Carolina infield already on the roster.

Adding more talent to the battle makes a lot of sense for the Gamecocks, and that's exactly what USC head coach Mark Kingston did. On Sunday, a talented transfer portal shortstop announced his intention to transfer to the South Carolina baseball program.

Jordan Carrion, formerly of Florida and Florida State, announced to Gamecock Nation on his personal Twitter/X account that he would "see you soon."

Carrion was an elite prospect coming out of high school and spent the last three seasons starting over 125 games at shortstop between the two Sunshine State rivals. He does not have much home run power (just 2 home runs), but he tallied 106 hits and 15 steals in his last two years at Florida State.

Carrion will be eligibile to play this spring and will compete for playing time up the middle of the Carolina infield primarily with Tippett, Ellis, and Noland. He is a very similar profile to former Gamecock Michael Braswell who transferred to LSU this offseason. Both players possess good contact skills, good speed, and a good infield glove while lacking power and dabbling as relief pitchers.