South Carolina baseball puts five on Perfect Game national player rankings
South Carolina baseball is just over a month away from the first official game with Paul Mainieri in the dugout. On Valentine’s Day (February 14th), the Gamecocks will welcome the Sacred Heart Pioneers to Founders Park.
With a new era approaching, many South Carolina fans are hopeful things will be better in Columbia than the disappointing Mark Kingston tenure. If Perfect Game’s recent player rankings are any indication, then the Gamecocks have plenty of talent to make real improvement happen.
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Two Gamecocks cracked Perfect Game’s list of top 101 juniors.
First, USC slugger Ethan Petry earned the No. 13 spot in the junior rankings. Petry, already a two-time All-American, is a Perfect Game preseason All-American and is third among SEC juniors in the outlet’s preseason player rankings. With several freshman records on his resume, the future MLB Draft 1st rounder could set some new career Gamecock standards with another strong season.
Right-handed pitcher Eli Jerzembeck also made the list, coming in at No. 48. Jerzembeck, who has missed a lot of time because of Tommy John surgery, appears healthy and ready to go. A candidate for the Friday night starter gig this spring, Jerzembeck has elite potential. Like Petry, he has a chance to earn his way into 1st round consideration in the MLB Draft.
Three South Carolina baseball seniors made Perfect Game’s top 75 seniors list.
Among Gamecock seniors, Roman Kimball received the highest overall ranking. Perfect Game ranked the right-handed pitcher No. 29 among seniors. Kimball is competing for a spot in the Gamecocks’ weekend rotation. He has a lively arm that can see his fastball reach the mid-90s, and he throws a big curveball. If he can better harness his command in 2025, Kimball could be in for a good year.
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No. 42 in the senior rankings belonged to South Carolina outfielder/designated hitter Kennedy Jones. Jones, who was one of the biggest MLB Draft snubs last summer, has a lot of motivation heading into spring. A strong right-hander with good bat-to-ball skills, Jones should see a lot of at-bats as he earns playing time in left field and as the team’s designated hitter.
South Carolina senior Talmadge LeCroy was No. 46 on Perfect Game’s list. Following a freshman season in which he primarily played catcher, LeCroy has played mostly third base. He’s also gotten some time at second the past two seasons. Now, as a senior, the Palmetto State native is back behind the dish and could be the starter.
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Other Gamecocks, such as shortstop Henry Kaczmar, second baseman Cayden Gaskin, outfielder Dalton Mashore, left-handed pitcher Matthew Becker, left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy, and right-handed pitcher Brandon Stone, have picked up preseason recognition from other outlets, as well.
