Projecting when South Carolina minor leaguers will reach the majors

Nearly halfway through the Minor League Baseball season, there are a handful of former South Carolina baseball players enjoying successful years, and others who haven’t found their groove. Here’s a look at how each former Gamecock is playing and when they could arrive on a major league roster.

Brady Allen—outfielder (ETA: 2025)

It’s been just over a year since Allen was drafted by the Miami Marlins. In his first professional season at Low-A, he’s slashing .235/.322/.382 with seven homers and 37 RBI. He’s got some work to do over the next few seasons before receiving a call to the show.

Luke Berryhill—catcher (ETA: 2023)

In 68 games with the Double-A’s Corpus Christi Hooks, Berryhill is having a fine season, slashing .250/.374/.417. Defensively, he’s made 30 starts behind the plate and thrown out four runners in 50 tries. He’s also been able to play other positions this year as a first baseman and left fielder. He’s currently the No. 25 prospect in the Houston Astros’ system. However, he ranks behind fellow catchers Korey Lee (No. 2) and Yainer Diaz (No. 14). Nevertheless, hitting catchers are hard to find at the MLB level, meaning Berryhill could be on his way up very soon.

Jonah Bride—third base (ETA: 2022)

Bride actually made his big league debut with the Oakland A’s on June 14. Before that, he was having a fantastic season spending it between Double-A and Triple-A. In 33 games, he batted .347 with five homers and 29 RBI. On June 28, the A’s placed Bride on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.

Noah Campbell—second base (ETA: 2023)

Campbell was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers—his current team—in 2017 before deciding to attend South Carolina for three years. Now, in his second season in the minors, he’s slashing .285/.388/.430 at Double-A. His ability to hit from both sides and speed could lend a hand in getting him to the big leagues sooner rather than later.

Wes Clarke—first base (ETA: 2025)

Similar to his time with the Gamecocks, Clarke has hit for a low average with high home run and RBI totals in the minors. He’s currently playing with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in High-A, where he’s batting .211 with eight homers and 40 RBI. While he’s only 22 years old, he still has a lot of developing to do.

Carlos Cortes—second base (ETA: 2023)

It’s been a long journey for the former Gamecock. Drafted by the New York Mets in 2018, Cortes has slowly made his way through the ranks. He made his way to Triple-A after spending the last year and a half in Double-A. However, he’s been underperforming, slashing .168/.231/.234. He’s a top 15 prospect in the Mets organization, but also just turned 25 years old a few weeks ago. He could get a call to the big leagues sometime this season, but his numbers aren’t doing him any favors right now.

Eddy Demurias—pitcher (ETA: 2022)

After trading away many of their star players, the Cincinnati Reds have set their sights on a rebuild. For many young players, including Demurias, this could mean making the big league roster attainable this season. In 24 games with the Louisville Bats, the right-hander has a 3.69 ERA with 32 strikeouts and 17 walks. With the Reds sitting in last place in the NL Central, there’s a possibility that Demurias could be a September call-up.

Alex Destino—left fielder (ETA: 2023)

Similarly to Cortes, it’s been a struggle for Destino to work his way up through the Chicago White Sox farm system. Destino, 26, began the season in Double-A and has slashed .247/.368/.386 in 46 games. Unfortunately for him, the White Sox have a number of solid outfield prospects, featuring Oscar Colas and Yoelqui Céspedes in their top 5.

Thomas Farr—pitcher (ETA: 2025)

After being drafted by the Reds last year, Farr had a nice first season in pro ball. In 10 innings, he pitched to a 0.90 ERA with 14 strikeouts. However, 2022 has been a completely different story for the former Friday night ace. In High-A, he has a 6.40 ERA with a .311 opponent batting average.

Grayson Greiner—catcher (ETA: 2022)

A member of South Carolina’s most recent Omaha team, Greiner has been back and forth between the majors and minors with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In 29 games in Triple-A, he’s batting .229 with five homers and 14 RBI. He’s been pretty good defensively, throwing out 11 runners in 34 stolen base attempts. Arizona is carrying three catchers on its roster, so Greiner will have to keep waiting to return to the MLB.

Adam Hill—pitcher (ETA: 2023)

Hill has yet to pitch this season, as he’s been on the injured list. When he last pitched in 2021, he pitched to a 5.44 ERA with 102 strikeouts between two levels.

T.J. Hopkins—center fielder (ETA: 2023)

Back in Double-A for the second straight year, Hopkins is slashing .234/.330/.410 with the Chattanooga Lookouts. He struggled in May batting .181 with 26 strikeouts but performed better in June where he hit .250.

Tyler Johnson—pitcher (ETA: 2022)

2022 has been a rough season for Johnson, who’s pitched to a 14.29 ERA in six appearances. He’s been out of action since April with an injury. Johnson missed a large chunk of the last season, too, with injury.

Brannon Jordan—pitcher (ETA: 2024)

Jordan, a ninth-round pick by the Brewers, began the season as a starter but transitioned to the bullpen in mid-May. In 17 games (five starts), he’s sitting at a 4.07 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 32 walks.

Brett Kerry—pitcher (ETA: 2023)

Kerry has progressed well in his young career, starting in Double-A this season. His numbers have steadily risen each month, with a 2-4 record and 4.38 ERA in 13 starts. He’s struck out 61 batters and has a 1.28 WHIP. With the Angels’ struggles to develop young pitchers, they’ll be counting on Kerry to be impactful at the big league level soon.

Graham Lawson—pitcher (ETA: 2023)

Lawson missed nearly all of June due to injury but returned to play on June 29. In 21.2 innings pitched, he’s 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is nearly identical, 22-20, and has a 1.89 WHIP.

Daniel Lloyd—pitcher (ETA: 2024)

Since being promoted to High-A on June 9, the former South Carolina righty has pitched extremely well. In five outings with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, he’s thrown 10 innings with a 2.70 ERA and 13 strikeouts. On June 18, Lloyd took part in a combined no-hitter, as he pitched three hitless innings.

Cody Mincey—pitcher (ETA: 2023)

After dominating in High-A last year, Mincey has regressed in 2022. In 12 starts in Double-A, he’s pitching to a 5.03 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 18 walks.

Carmen Mlodzinski—pitcher (ETA: 2023)

Mdolzinski is coming off a fantastic month of June in which he posted a 2.61 ERA in 20.2 innings. Opponents batted .187 against the 23-year-old right-hander. Overall, he’s 2-4 with a 4.12 ERA and 63 strikeouts in Double-A. He’s the No. 13-ranked prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. He’s South Carolina’s most recent first-round pick.

Cody Morris—pitcher (ETA: 2022)

Morris hasn’t pitched yet this season, as he’s been on the injured list with a strained right shoulder. When he does return to the mound, there’s a chance he could find his way onto the Cleveland Guardians roster soon after. In 2021, the right-hander pitched to a 1.62 ERA between three levels, reaching Triple-A by early August.

Reid Morgan—pitcher (ETA: 2023)

Like Morris, Morgan advanced from High-A to Triple-A last season. However, he won’t see the mound in 2022, as he suffered a season-ending injury.

John Parke—pitcher (ETA: 2022)

Parke has spent all of 2022 with the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A and owns a 6.72 ERA across 13 starts. In 79 innings pitched, he’s surrendered 100 hits with 64 strikeouts and 24 walks.

Andrew Peters—pitcher (ETA: 2024)

The transition from college to pro ball hasn’t been kind to Peters thus far. After struggling last year with a 9.26 ERA, he hasn’t pitched yet in 2022 due to injury.

Clarke Schmidt—pitcher (ETA: 2022)

Schmidt has spent most of the season with the New York Yankees but was recently sent down to Triple-A. While he pitched well in the Bronx, this move was done in an effort to extend his role on the mound with the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders. Schmidt has a 3.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts in three starts. It wouldn’t be surprising to see his name called upon again for the Yankees later this season and pair him with former Gamecocks lefty Jordan Montgomery.

T.J. Shook—pitcher (ETA: 2024)

Shook was enjoying a nice start to the season in High-A, but hasn’t pitched well since moving up to Double-A. In nine games (eight starts) with the Biloxi Shuckers, he’s pitched 41.2 innings with a 5.40 ERA and 43 strikeouts. Overall this season, he’s 4-1 with a 3.57 ERA across 15 games.

Madison Stokes—infielder (ETA: 2023)

It’s been a challenging year for the former South Carolina infielder, who’s dealt with injuries. In 20 games, he’s batting .173 with two homers and six RBI. He was able to work his way back mid-season, but hasn’t played since June 15.

Taylor Widener—pitcher (ETA: 2022)

Widener has spent the last few years moving back and forth between the Diamondbacks and Triple-A. He’s made four appearances with Arizona this season, but has spent most of the year with the Reno Aces. In 18.2 innings, Widener has a 6.27 ERA with 27 strikeouts and five walks.

Matt Vogel—pitcher (ETA: 2022)

After being out of the minors for five years, Vogel has returned with the Baltimore Orioles’ Triple-A team. He’s been coming out of the bullpen this season, pitching to a 5.06 ERA with 29 strikeouts.