Skip to main content
Garnet and Cocky
Fansided

South Carolina baseball transfer portal tracker: Who is Kevin Schnall bringing in?

The Gamecocks have already landed some talented prospects.
ByMorgan Moriarty|
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Jun 18, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers pitcher Hayden Johnson (18) throws against the Louisville Cardinals during the sixth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Jun 18, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Coastal Carolina Chanticleers pitcher Hayden Johnson (18) throws against the Louisville Cardinals during the sixth inning at Charles Schwab Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

New South Carolina head baseball coach Kevin Schnall is wasting no time getting his Gamecock program in place. The new South Carolina skipper has had a busy last few days since his hire was made official earlier this week. 

In addition to building his coaching staff, including the likes of longtime Wake Forest assistant Bill Cilento, Schnall has also been busy on the recruiting trail. Since his hire was made official at South Carolina, several former coastal Carolina players have followed him to Columbia. Let's take a look at some of the latest players and big names to commit to South Carolina since his hire. 

Pitchers

LHP Hayden Johnson was one of the first Coastal players to follow Schnall to Columbia. Although he missed the entire 2026 season due an elbow injury, he compiled a 8-2 record over his first two seasons at Coastal, including 87 strikeouts. Once healthy, he will be a leader on the mound for the Gamecocks.

Fellow LHP Colby Richardson is also joining Schnall. As a true freshman for Coastal this past season, he had a 4-1 record, with a 5.10 ERA across 42.1 innings. He also limited batters to a .261 batting average. 

LHP and first baseman Jackson Winer also is joining his teammates to head to the Gamecocks. As a true freshman during the 2026 season, he finished with a .494 slugging percentage, and had four home runs and 19 RBIs. 

RHPs Daniel Parker and Luke Jones are also joining the South Carolina team under Schnall. As a true freshman in 2026, Parker went 3-0 across 34 innings pitched, making two starts on the mound. He added 32 strikeouts as well. Jones went 8-4 over two seasons with the Chanticleers, and recorded 67 strikeouts for Coastal this past season.  

Utility Players 

Catcher Brice Estep is also headed to Columbia from Coastal Carolina. As a junior during the 2026 season, he made 33 starts, throwing out 15 baserunners. As a batter, he hit .232 with eight homers and 25 RBIs. 

Former Coastal third baseman Walker Mitchell will also be joining. He's coming off of a 2026 season in which he led the Chanticleers in doubles, and was second in RBIs with 54. 

Although he is not from Coastal, Schnall landed another talented prospect from the Sun Belt. Outfielder Evan Bottone from Marshall was a First-Team All-Sun Belt this past season after batting .341 with eight home runs and 41 RBI.  

Obviously this is a great start for the Gamecocks roster looking ahead to 2027. Schnall could be adding to his roster soon, as he reportedly will host some top pitchers that have entered the portal this weekend, too.

It's early, but the future looks to be quite bright during Kevin Schnall's initial days as the Gamecocks' head coach. It's no surprise that several Coastal players have decided to follow Schnall to his new gig, but he clearly can add some non-Chanticleers in the coming days and weeks, as well.

ALSO READ: Fever's Aliyah Boston makes WNBA history with Caitlin Clark in win over Sky

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations

Home/South Carolina Baseball