2021 NCAA Top 25 Preview: No. 18 in South Carolina

Last season: 12-4
Final classification: NR
Trainer (school registration): Mark Kingston (77-58, three years)

The top 200 potential projects: RHP Brannon Jordan (No. 124), RHP Thomas Farr (No. 155)

The good news: Gamecocks have done a good job of storing talent for the past two years and are now entering 2021 with the chance to make some noise. This is especially true on the hill, where South Carolina has many powerful arms – 13 of its pitchers this fall averaged at least 91 mph with their fastball. Partly due to the shortened draft for 2020, Gamecocks welcome the powerful right-handers Thomas Farr and Brannon Jordan in the rotation. Right hander Brett Kerry, who has been effective in a variety of roles over the past two seasons, is also back and will launch major entries this spring. Gamecocks also recover the bulk of their attack and have the pieces to assemble a complete formation. Brady Allen, Wes Clarke and Andrew Eyster give South Carolina a strong core to build on. Allen led the team in hitting last year, while Clarke and Eyster provide the power. Gamecocks will also benefit from a full season with third baseman Brennan Milone, who was his best recruit in 2019, but was limited to just five games in 2020 due to an injury. If he and Brandon Fields, his best recruit in 2020, could start running this spring, that would give the team a little more length and dynamism.

The bad news: As talented as Gamecocks are, they have a rather inexperienced list. Three-quarters of its pitchers have never appeared in an SEC game, and so do about half of its position players. Although few are real freshmen, they still need to prove that they can withstand the pressure of playing at a conference. South Carolina is also replacing star Carmen Mlodzinski. Farr and Jordan have the pedigree and stuff to do that, but they are among the group that hasn’t made their SEC debut yet. Gamecocks have more options, including Kerry, and the team is excited about the development of third-year freshman Julian Bosnic, who lost 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and is now reaching 95 mph, as does the true freshman Magdiel Cotto , Jack Mahoney, Jackson Phipps and Will Sanders.

Player to know: Wes Clarke, 1B / C.

Clarke is one of the SEC’s most prodigious hitters. He hit eight home runs in 2020 – only Nick Gonzales (12) and Justin Dirden (9) hit more. The second year of the third year has a large body of 1.8 m in height and 224 pounds and a strong swing to the right. He’s still learning first base after picking up from high school, and will probably play both positions a little bit this spring.

Way to Omaha: South Carolina has the advantage of advancing to the College World Series for the first time since 2012. Its team of deep pitchers and a powerful roster will provide some high points in 2021. But that does not mean that there will be no growth problems along the way. due to your inexperience. If Gamecocks refined some of their edges before the arrival of June, they will become difficult at the NCAA Tournament.

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