These four Gamecocks were selected in the 2022 MLB Draft

In recent years the South Carolina baseball program has produced top draft picks such as Clarke Schmidt and Carmen Mlodzinski. In this year’s MLB Draft, no Gamecock heard his name called until Day 3.

MLB teams selected four current Gamecocks and one USC signee on the third and final day of the 2022 major league draft on Tuesday. Three of those players were selected in the 15th round.

Junior right-hander James Hicks was the first USC player drafted and the first pick in the 15th round, selected by the Baltimore Orioles with the 437th pick of the draft. A junior college transfer from Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri, Hicks opened his Gamecocks career in the weekend rotation but made just two starts this spring before injuring his elbow and having Tommy John surgery. Hicks struck out seven and allowed four runs in seven innings for USC, while showcasing a power sinker and breaking ball.

Three picks later, the Pittsburgh Pirates used their 15th-round selection on Gamecocks senior first baseman/outfielder Josiah Sightler. A native of Gaston, Sightler was also drafted out of Swansea High School in the 12th round of the 2018 draft but opted to enroll at USC. Though he struggled with injuries at USC, Sightler is coming off a career-best season in which he batted .300 and clubbed 15 home runs.

The Cleveland Guardians selected in-state USC signee Adam Serwinowski, also in the 15th round. The 6-foot-5, left-handed pitcher out of Eastside High School will have a decision to make about whether or not to sign or to play college ball.

Current Gamecock second baseman Braylen Wimmer will also have a decision to make after the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the 18th round. Considered the team’s top prospect, Wimmer’s slide in the draft could mean he’ll return for his senior season after hitting .312 with seven home runs as a junior.

Though not guaranteed, Wimmer’s possible return next season would be a boost for an offense that loses leading hitters Brandt Belk and Andrew Eyster to graduation.

In more good news for the Gamecocks, top signees Eli Jerzembeck and Ethan Petry both went undrafted, meaning they should be able to help USC next season. Jerzembeck, a right-handed pitcher, ranked 184th in MLB.com’s Top 250 prospects list. Petry, a third baseman, slotted in at No. 230.

In the 20th and final round of the draft, the Milwaukee Brewers took right-hander Noah Hall, who transferred to USC from Appalachian State and emerged as the team’s top starter during SEC play after injuries decimated the staff. Hall posted a 4.34 ERA, striking out 78 to 31 walks in 76.2 innings.

Former Gamecocks pitcher Julian Bosnic was also drafted Tuesday, in the 14th round by the Pirates. However, Bosnic had already announced his intention to transfer from USC and had committed to pitch for Arkansas next season. After missing all of this past season with an elbow injury, Bosnic could opt to go to pro ball or play another collegiate year with the Razorbacks.