Mark Kingston appreciative of returning Gamecocks seniors

Mark Kingston stressed the importance of building South Carolina’s chemistry early in fall camp. He said the returning veteran leaders will be instrumental for a large group of high school and portal talent.

“It’s been really good to see the old guys mixing with the new guys,” Kingston said. “So, it’s been really good to see them on the field working together.”

Braylen Wimmer, James Hicks and Noah Hall came back for their senior seasons. All were selected in the MLB draft and all turned down good money to come back to South Carolina for at least one more year. Josiah Sightler was the only Gamecock to forgo their final year of eligibility, opting to sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The players’ maturity to make a life-altering decision impressed Kingston.

“All were offered six-figure bonuses and decided they wanted to come back to South Carolina,” Mark Kingston said. “I think maybe those guys aren’t getting enough credit…I think that’s an important point to be made that it’s really important to our team for this year that they came back and what that says I think is also pretty important.”

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Wimmer comes back as the Gamecocks’ leading hitter after the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the MLB Draft. In 55 games, he slashed .312/.361/.466 with seven homers and 35 RBI. After being a mainstay at second base, he will now take reps at shortstop as fall camp progresses.

“Practice is all about experimenting and Wim’s going to get a full look at shortstop, along with (Michael) Braswell,” Kingston said.

Braswell started 54 games at shortstop last season, while Wimmer only appeared in two games at that position. He sparingly spent time as a first baseman and outfielder in 2021, showing how versatile he can be.

With enough time to fiddle around, Kingston won’t determine roles and positions until the season gets closer.

“There is a lot of position flexibility and you will see guys bouncing around a little bit,” Kingston said. “But you’ll also see some guys that have done that in the past that may be focused on just one position right now to see how that works in terms of mastering a single position.”

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As for Hicks, he’ll continue to recover from Tommy John Surgery before returning to the mound. Despite his season-ending injury, the Baltimore Orioles still choose to give him a shot in the draft.

The right-hander’s sample size with the Gamecocks was small because of the elbow injury. In two starts last season, he pitched to a 5.14 ERA with seven strikeouts and a walk. His opponents combined to bat .345 with 10 hits and four runs scored.

Hicks is one of a few South Carolina pitchers that won’t pitch in fall camp. Jackson Phipps and Chris Veach are also working their way back from the same surgery.

“We anticipate come season time, which obviously is much more important, that those guys will be able to contribute,” Kingston said.

Likewise, Kingston said he plans to stray away from using Hall, along with other cornerstone starters.

Following a horrendous beginning to last year, Hall formed into a consistently good pitcher in South Carolina’s weekend rotation. He became the team’s Friday night starter and made 12 starts, pitching to a 4.34 ERA and struck out 78 batters. The Milwaukee Brewers picked Hall in the draft, where he could’ve joined a host of former Gamecocks, but will return as an anchor in the rotation.

When the new season arrives, Kingston wants to ensure the return of Wimmer, Hicks and Hall will be worthwhile.

“We appreciate those guys wanting to be here for at least another year,” Kingston said. “And we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that they have a great experience here in what could be their last year. And then hopefully send them off into pro ball in an even much better position than they turned down last year.”

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