COLUMBIA — Everything has been exciting since Paul Mainieri was hired as South Carolina’s next baseball coach. The enthusiasm of being back in the game has dribbled through every word he’s spoken.
Although …
“I’m afraid the draft might have an adverse effect on us,” he anxiously said two weeks ago. “But it always does.”
The Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft begins July 14 and continues through July 16, 20 rounds that will heavily determine how Mainieri’s first roster will look. Several current players and potential players all have a chance to hear their names called, and many will have decisions to make.
The breakdown:
Current team
Catcher Cole Messina is likely to be selected very early on the second day of the draft (Rounds 3-10) if not late on the first. It would be equally astounding and immense if he were to return, but frankly, he could and should accept his draft position and head to pro ball.
Messina has given everything he has and more to the program for three seasons, ending with a consensus All-American year. Considering the last pick of the second round is slotted to receive a signing bonus worth $1.06 million, and the first 10 picks of the third round will receive at least $906,800, it will be financially worthwhile for him to go as well.
Outfielder Kennedy Jones blossomed after a slow start and wound up fourth on the team in hitting and third in RBIs. The word is he just wants to go now and play pro ball, no matter where he’s picked (and he should be picked on Day 2).
Pitchers Eli Jones and Eli Jerzembeck were each invited to the Draft Combine and each stands to have a decision to make. Jones, who tied for the team lead with 15 starts and would be the Gamecocks’ Friday-night man if he returns, is around a 50/50 shot at present, but if his name isn’t called on Day 2, he could come back.
Jerzembeck has a slightly different situation. He’s a draft-eligible sophomore, meaning he doesn’t face the obstacle most draft-eligible players face.
For a college player, they know that most likely the best signing bonus they’ll be offered is after their junior seasons. Pro teams know they don’t have to bargain with a senior player because the player has nowhere else to play if he doesn’t accept the terms. It’s take it or leave it.
Jerzembeck could come back for his junior season and still have leverage to negotiate. He didn’t pitch at all last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery in the middle of his freshman season, but he has thrown bullpen sessions in front of scouts.
The belief is that Jerzembeck would have to receive top-three round money to leave (the last pick in the third round is slotted to get $710,400). While he has thrown pens, that’s a lot of money to give to a guy who hasn’t pitched in over a year.
A gut feeling is that Jerzembeck will return.
Pitchers Roman Kimball, Matthew Becker, Chris Veach and Dylan Eskew could get looks, but for Kimball and Becker, their signing bonus demands are high. If they are Day 2 picks, they would probably lean toward going. Day 3, they would likely return to USC.
Veach and Eskew are likely to go if they get drafted, no matter when. Eskew is 23 years old; Veach will be 23 in November, and the only reason he came back for the 2024 season is that he had some minor health issues. Both want to start their pro careers if given a chance.
Future team
There are seven names among the signing class that could hear their names called during the draft.
The Summerville duo of P.J. Morlando and Carson Messina — Cole’s brother — are fully expected to be drafted high and sign. Nothing has changed since they committed to USC: Coaches get a pledge knowing full well the player may never show up, but hey, there’s always a chance.
Chances were always slim to get one or both, and they remain that way. Morlando could be picked at the end of the first round. Carson Messina may not go as high as his teammate but is anticipated to sign no matter where he’s picked.
Junior-college left-hander Brandon Clarke will probably get a decent draft slot. If so, he’ll most likely accept it. Transfer catcher Henry Kaczmar (Ohio State) could get a look, but it will take a significant offer for him to leave; USC feels good about him coming to school.
Three freshmen have different levels of signability. Beau Hollins of Lexington, the son of Gamecocks great and former big-leaguer Dave Hollins, is very signable. But right-hander Maximus McClellan and infielder K.J. Scobey are strongly projected to be Gamecocks.