Skip to main content
south-carolina logo

Will Sanders hears name called in MLB Draft

imageby:Jack Veltri•07/10/23•

jacktveltri

will-sanders-hears-name-called-in-mlb-draft
Will Sanders (Caroline Barry/GamecockCentral)

At the start of the 2023 season, South Carolina righty Will Sanders was in good shape to be a high MLB Draft pick. But as the year wore on, he struggled on the mound and watched his stock drop.

When it mattered most, though, Sanders stepped up and pitched some big innings for South Carolina in the postseason. He showed teams that there’s still enough reason for somebody to take a chance on him.

With the draft here, Sanders’ name wasn’t called right away. It took some waiting, but he does know where he’s heading now.

The Chicago Cubs picked Sanders No. 113 overall in the fourth round Monday. Slot value for the pick is $591,800.

[Get news from GamecockCentral via email]

It’s been quite a career for Sanders at South Carolina. He burst onto the scene as a freshman on a veteran pitching staff in 2021, finding a role as a reliever and spot starter. Eventually, he worked his way into the starting rotation as the Sunday starter.

He finished 6-3 with a 3.54 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 53.1 innings pitched. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman team.

Expectations were higher for Sanders entering his sophomore year. He was now the Gamecocks’ Friday ace. But midway through the season, he moved back into his Sunday spot. And it seemed to be the right move. He pitched to a 3.43 ERA, the lowest of his career, with 91 strikeouts in 89.1 innings.

[Subscribe to GamecockCentral’s YouTube page]

Sanders took a step back from his previous two years of success and struggled as a junior. Once again, he was South Carolina’s ace, but he wasn’t fooling anyone at the plate. Combined with injuries, he went 4-4 with a 5.46 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 11 starts (14 games).

Eventually, he moved into the bullpen. His future was uncertain. But he came through when the lights were the brightest, as he earned the save in the clinching game of the Columbia Regional against Campbell, striking out six in three innings.

South Carolina is coming off a quality season in 2023 that included the program’s first 40-win season and top 16 seed since 2016 and first Super Regional appearance since 2018. 

The Gamecocks finished 42-21 (16-13 SEC) and ran through the Columbia regional before ultimately getting swept in a Super Regional by the eventual national runners-up in Florida. 

It’s been a hectic offseason for South Carolina from staff turnover to roster additions over the last few weeks. Liberty’s Matt Williams replaced Justin Parker as the Gamecocks’ pitching coach with Parker leaving to take the same position at Mississippi State. 

Monte Lee will be back for year two as the Gamecocks’ recruiting coordinator and associate head coach under Mark Kingston. South Carolina is also adding Joey Holcomb as the team’s third paid assistant, coming over after a pair of years at Campbell. 

Discuss South Carolina baseball on The Insiders Forum!

You may also like