The MLB Draft brought seven South Carolina connections off the board, with three coming from last year’s Gamecocks roster and four more from the recruiting class.
The first former South Carolina pitcher selected was Amp Phillips, who went to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 15th round as the No. 443 overall pick. Phillips spent one season with the Gamecocks and started every weekend, taking the ball for all 14 weekend series. He finished with a 4.39 ERA and 71 strikeouts across 67 2/3 innings.
Another South Carolina arm headed to Tampa Bay was Alex Philpott, who came off the board in the 16th round at No. 473 overall. Philpott posted an 0-5 record with a 6.51 ERA and struck out 19 in 27 2/3 innings during his lone season with the Gamecocks. He entered the portal after the season and was committed to Florida State.
Among the incoming players, the first commitment selected was Minnesota transfer left-hander Will Whelan. The Texas Rangers grabbed him in the 13th round with the No. 397 overall pick.
Whelan missed several weeks early in the season with the Golden Gophers because of injury and finished with a 6.19 ERA in 12 appearances. He is also one of the top pitchers in the Cape Cod League this summer.
Mercer transfer right-hander Miguel Hugas followed in the 14th round, going to the Baltimore Orioles with the No. 410 overall pick. Hugas served as the Saturday starter for the Bears and put together a 9-2 record with a 6.17 ERA in 15 starts and one relief outing. He is also pitching in the Cape Cod League this summer and has a 5.19 ERA.
USF transfer Ethan Sutton was the last pick in the 16th round, landing with the Los Angeles Dodgers at No. 493 overall. Sutton handled closing duties for the Bulls last season, collecting nine saves in 20 appearances. He logged a 4.31 ERA over 48 innings and struck out 56.
One of the final selections in the draft was Texas Tech transfer Connor Shouse, who went to the Seattle Mariners in the 20th round at No. 610 overall. Shouse played both ways for Texas Tech, appearing in 54 games as a position player and making 11 mound appearances.
At the plate, he hit .353 with 10 home runs, 18 doubles and 66 RBIs. On the mound, he recorded three saves, struck out 16 in 15 1/3 innings and posted a 5.87 ERA.
The Peach State native spent his freshman season at Georgia Tech.
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