South Carolina adds outfielder out of transfer portal
South Carolina landed a public commitment out of the transfer portal Wednesday afternoon.
The Gamecocks added left-handed outfielder Austin Brinling, who most recently played at North Florida after beginning his career at Florida.
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He led the Ospreys in average, slashing .386/.500/.540 this season with 31 RBI. Brinling struck out just 20 times and walked 36 times in 253 plate appearances this season with three home runs and 20 stolen bases in 22 attempts.
His OPS of 1.040 was by far the best on the team with a BABIP of .417.
Brinling was a lot better in conference play as well, hitting .400 with a 1.060 OPS and 21 RBI. He had 10 doubles and was successful on 10 of his 12 stolen base attempts in ASun play.
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The outfielder went 2-for-5 with a triple and a RBI in one game against South Carolina this season.
He helps fill a void for the Gamecocks, who were searching for a leadoff hitter and Brinling could certainly be a candidate to hit at the top of the South Carolina order.
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South Carolina is also projected to lose a few candidates that hit a ton at the leadoff spot. Braylen Wimmer and Will McGillis aren’t expected to be on the roster next season and Dylan Brewer could opt to sign a professional contract.
Brinling was a redshirt junior this past season at North Florida. PerfectGame considered him a top 500 prospect and the No. 100 player in Florida coming out of high school.
He’ll be expected to play in the outfield and compete for a spot at the top of the lineup next season. He played in centerfield last season for the Ospreys.
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The Gamecocks are coming off a 39-19 regular season that was good enough to host a regional. South Carolina is the No. 15 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and will host a regional that includes Campbell, North Carolina State and Central Connecticut State.
South Carolina hosts Central Connecticut State at 7 p.m. The Gamecocks haven’t announced a starter yet for the first game of the regional.
If they win that regional they’ll play the winner of the Gainesville regional.
