Braylen Wimmer aims for big year after feeling unsatisfied with MLB draft
Braylen Wimmer was at home in Oklahoma, waiting for the call he had waited his whole life for. On the final day of the 2022 MLB Draft, that call finally came.
It didn’t go as he had hoped, though. In the 18th round, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Wimmer. While there have been a few late-round success stories to make it to the MLB, Wimmer would face a long road of uncertainty.
“Obviously, a couple other guys got drafted here — Noah (Hall) and (James) Hicks — and we talked about it. We weren’t all really happy, so we said, ‘Why not? Let’s come back and try to go to Omaha,'” Wimmer said.
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With Wimmer back for his senior year, he’ll provide a big boost at the top of South Carolina’s lineup. He’s coming off a year in which he slashed .312/.361/.366 with 69 hits, seven homers and 35 RBI.
Although his production took a leap, Wimmer felt he was more focused on where he could be drafted rather than just playing.
“It wasn’t so much fun for me, as I was just trying to advance myself into the draft,” he said. “That was another reason why I wanted to come back. I think I want to just play for the love of the game and not worry so much about the draft and just have fun and win games.”
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Of all returning players, Wimmer struck out the most. He finished with 54 strikeouts to only 15 walks, something that he hopes to change.
He’ll have an opportunity to have “less swing and miss” at the plate with help from new hitting coach Monte Lee.
“He’s brought a good approach style into our offense. Taking better at-bats, more mature at-bats instead of swinging early in the count, chasing pitches,” Wimmer said. “My approach has taken a jump in the fall so hopefully we can carry it over.”
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Besides trying to cut down on strikeouts, Wimmer will also play a new position. He’ll be taking over at shortstop.
South Carolina tried him out at short last year, but he struggled some while Michael Braswell handled the load there. He’s been really good there over the fall and early-goings in the spring.
Wimmer has played all over the field during his college years. He played some centerfield before finding a home at second base for the past two seasons. But after having a strong fall, the shortstop position is seemingly his to lose.
“I think short is what I enjoy the most. And so it’s been fun and happy to be there,” he said. “I’m going to compete for the job every day. Obviously, it’s nothing set in stone til opening day, and it’s not even set til after that day. So I’m going to be competing every day for it.”
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With the draft not at the forefront of his mind, Wimmer will try to cap off what could be his final year in a big way.
“It’s crazy to think about how far I’ve come,” Wimmer said. “I think just playing this type of baseball and scrimmaging against these teammates has really just developed me. The coaches have too but just playing the game is what’s really helped me.”
