 "Photo: Alan Tauber / The Daily Gamecock")
The MLB First-Year Players Draft came and went last week, but not without taking a sizable bite out of coach Ray Tanner's current and future rosters.
Signees that went early include infielder Chris Owings (first-supplemental, Diamondbacks), catcher Wil Myers (third, Royals) and pitcher Brooks Hall (fourth, Brewers). Tanner said he expects all three to get high enough bonuses to keep them off campus and out of uniform for the Gamecocks.
"I think that the clubs knew what the situation was with [the signees] and what their request was," Tanner said in a press conference last Thursday. "I think their numbers are going to be met."
Junior outfielder DeAngelo Mack (13th, Yankees) agreed to terms quickly and was signed Monday to a professional contract.
"It's been a great ride at South Carolina," Mack said in a statement. "Playing for Carolina was a dream come true, and I enjoyed my four years with the program. It's hard to leave. The fans have been great; I've played with a great group of teammates. Coach Tanner and the coaching staff have been excellent, and I enjoyed my time. I'm proud to be a Gamecock."
USC also seems likely to lose junior catcher Justin Dalles (sixth, Orioles), who Tanner said he expects to sign quickly with Baltimore.
In all, six players and six signees were drafted. The biggest headaches for Tanner come with sophomore pitcher Sam Dyson (10th, A's), junior first baseman Nick Ebert (32nd round, Yankees) and pitcher/DH Parker Bangs (46th round, Pirates).
Dyson, in his first year as the ace of the staff, went 9-4 with a 5.21 ERA. His stock seemed to fall because of a high asking price, a history of medical problems and an inconsistent sophomore season.
"I'm a little bit surprised that somebody didn't take him [earlier], but he had opportunities to go in the supplemental round," Tanner said. "I don't think it's over yet. Oakland will start dialogue with him shortly, and we'll see where it goes."
Tanner will also await the decisions of Ebert and Bangs, who have until the Aug. 17 signing deadline to make up their minds on whether to go pro or return to USC. If they return, Ebert will bring back his 23 homeruns and 72 RBIs back to the middle of lineup, while Bangs will solidify the closers role.
With the departure of Mack, whose 92 hits led the SEC, and the likely signing of Dalles, a second-team All-SEC player that was drafted for the fourth time, Tanner will have at least two holes to fill in the 2010 lineup.
"It's part of the process we go through," Tanner said of the draft. "You hope for the best. You never go through it unscathed."
Although players technically have until Aug. 17 to make their final decisions, Tanner said he hopes his players work quickly to either sign or get back to USC. Among the pieces he has to work with are 27 scholarship players and eight walk-ons.
Also missing in 2010 will be freshman pitcher Adam Westmoreland, who had Tommy John surgery last Thursday to repair the UCL in his left arm. The first-year starter compiled a 4-2 with a 4.24 ERA in 2009.
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