South Carolina baseball pitcher Jack Mahoney was the first Gamecock (of six) taken in the 2023 MLB Draft. Mahoney was selected by the Colorado Rockies early in the 3rd round. Despite just joining the professional ranks, he is already ranked as the #20 prospect in the Rockies organization.
Since being called up to single-A ball at the beginning of this season (he had just two appearances at the Rookie Ball level last season), Mahoney has been lights out for the Fresno Grizzlies. The big Illinois native has pitched three times this season, and in those three starts, Mahoney has been dominant.
Posting a 2-1 record in those three starts, Mahoney has diced up the San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants affiliate), the Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels affiliate), and the Stockton Ports (Oakland Athletics affiliate). In 16 1/3 innings, he has struck out 16 batters while walking just 4. He's also only surrendered 11 hits in those innings and has logged an ERA of just 1.93 and a WHIP of 0.92.
His most recent start came against the Stockton Ports and saw him post an impressive stat line of 6 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits allowed, 5 strikeouts, and 1 walk. The effort earned Mahoney a big-time honor as he was named the California League Pitcher of the Week. The honor is Mahoney's first of his career as a professional and the first for the Fresno Grizzlies this season.
During his South Carolina baseball career, Jack Mahoney was a Freshman All-American in 2021 before missing the 2022 season with Tommy John Surgery. He bounced back in 2023 with an All-SEC campaign and was an elite competitor who led the Gamecocks in starts, innings pitched, and strikeouts.
If Mahoney keeps performing like this, it won't be long before the former Gamecock star finds himself promoted.