South Carolina shortstop Braylen Wimmer off the board in MLB Draft
Braylen Wimmer could have gone pro after last season but opted to come back to show he can play shortstop at South Carolina. He did, and the Gamecocks’ longtime starter is officially off the board.
The four-year starter is officially heading to the Rockies organization after being drafted No. 232 overall in the eighth round of the MLB Draft.
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It seems staying for his senior year has worked out well. Wimmer’s name called in last year’s draft by the Phillies, but it took longer than he expected. He went in the 18th round, ultimately turning down some money to come back and play again in 2023.
Wimmer had one of his better seasons in 2023, slashing .304/.409/.561 with 14 homers and 42 RBI. He also stole 13 bases and was only thrown out once.
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After playing second base in 2022, Wimmer successfully made the switch to shortstop. He made 10 errors but also had numerous standout plays throughout the year. He finished with a .948 fielding percentage.
Wimmer helped South Carolina get back to an NCAA Super Regional for the first time since 2018. He went 9-for-21 (.428) with two homers and four RBI in five postseason games.
The Gamecocks were vastly better with him on the field. South Carolina jumped out to a 34-6 start with him on the field and at shortstop before a hamstring injury.
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After missing time and then having to DH, Wimmer came back to the field in the postseason and helped South Carolina get to a Super Regional.
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.
