South Carolina Baseball: Former Gamecock on ESPN's MLB top-100 list

South Carolina baseball fans have a slew of former Gamecocks who they get to watch in Major League Baseball. In recent years, the fanbase has seen USC alums win World Series, bring home World Series MVP honors, make MLB All-Star Games, and be voted as award winners at their positions.

It comes as no shock then that a Gamecock was selected by ESPN as one of Major League Baseball's top-100 players.

Left-handed starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery slotted in at the #63 spot in ESPN's rankings after a stellar finish to the 2023 season. Montgomery was having a good year with the St. Louis Cardinals and was up for All-Star Game consideration. However, after being traded to the Texas Rangers, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball and was one of the Rangers' top-2 arms as they won the franchise's first World Series championship.

Montgomery is a free agent awaiting a big payday. The lefty will command a large contract, and baseball fans everywhere are hopeful that their favorite team will be the one that wins the Montgomery sweepstakes.

Two other former Gamecocks likely feeled snubbed from ESPN's list as first baseman Christian Walker and super-utilityman Whit Merrifield did not crack the top-100 from the "worldwide leader."

Walker, in particular, should feel slighted. When MLB Network released a similar list in February, Walker was 58th. The disrespect from ESPN just continues the ongoing underratedness that surrounds Christian Walker. Despite playing most of the 2021 season injured, he is in the top-30 in home runs since 2019 (his first year as a starter) and has won two Gold Gloves.

Merrifield has led the league in hits (2x), steals (3x), doubles, and triples, and the second baseman/left fielder/right fielder/third baseman was a Silver Slugger finalist and made the All-Star Game last season (which, in case you were unaware, should put him well inside the top-100).

In addition to Mongtomery, Walker, and Merrifield, a name to watch for future lists is reliever Carmen Mlodzinski. After being called up in 2023, Mlodzinski was one of the best relievers in the sport despite playing for the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates. The rookie posted a 2.25 ERA across 35 appearances and looks to build off of that success in year 2.