South Carolina commit PJ Morlando wins 2023 HS Home Run Derby Champion
South Carolina commit PJ Morlando won the 2023 High School Home Run Derby on Monday with eight home runs in the finals. He defeated uncommitted slugger Samuel Richardson.
Morlando had advanced to the finals after Saturday’s preliminaries that included a two-minute, 30-second first round and a 90-second second round.
“Just getting that experience to hit in front of this many fans,” Morlando said on Saturday, via MLB.com. “There’s a chance that they’re all going to be cheering our names and getting hyped up after every home run. I can’t wait. And being around these big leaguers, that’s going to be beneficial for our learning process.”
Morlando, who committed to the Gamecocks last week, attends Summerville (S.C.) High. Perfect Game ranks him as the No. 3 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle.
He ranks as Prospect Live’s No. 13 prospect for the 2024 MLB Draft.
“Morlando might be the most physically imposing high school bat in the 2024 class with exceptional bat speed and high contact rates to boot,” Prospect Live’s scouting report reads. “Morlando has long had the bat speed to out-slug his peers, but it’s his mature approach and willingness to take the walk that has scouts raising eyebrows.”
It was a great all-around day for the South Carolina baseball program. Five players — three current, one high school commit and one transfer commit — were drafted Monday in the MLB Draft: former Canisius right-handed pitcher and transfer commit Matt Duffy; right-handed pitcher Jack Mahoney; right-handed pitcher Will Sanders; second basemen Braylen Wimmer; and high school outfielder George Wolkow out of Downers Grove (Ill.) North High.
Mahoney was the highest pick of the bunch, going in the third round.
South Carolina commit PJ Morlando not the only Home Run Derby winner Monday
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the 2023 MLB Home Run Derby on Monday. He defeated Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena in the finals.
Guerrero hit 25 while Arozarena could only muster 24.
It was the second appearance in the Home Run Derby for the 24-year-old slugging first baseman. He also was in the 2019 Home Run Derby and came in second to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso.
“Back in 2019, I hit 91 homers and I lost,” Guerrero Jr. said through an interpreter, according to the Seattle Times. “I think it was like 60 something tonight, and I came out on top.”