Position players Tanner English, Grayson Greiner and Joey Pankake have seemingly picked up right where they left off with the Gamecocks, now taking their hacks for separate professional clubs.
Tanner English
English, the speedy outfielder from Murrells Inlet, S.C., has logged nine games so far for the Elizabethton Twins, an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins in the Rookie Appalachian League. He has multi-hit games in over half of those games, including a 4-for-5 performance in his debut, which also saw English slug a ninth-inning home run. English owns two three-hit performances as well as a pair of two-hit games, knocking in a two runs in each of those games. Through the early season, he is hitting .432 (16-37) with an incredible 1.151 OPS.
Grayson Greiner
The Gamecocks’ captain behind the dish, Greiner, has tasted similar success through 20 games with the West Michigan Whitecaps, a Single-A team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers. Proving consistent with his collegiate numbers, Greiner has tallied 11 walks so far, currently riding a seven-game walk streak dating back to July 9. He has been able to hit for average as well as for power, and his .889 OPS is a good indication of that. A .455 mark against left-handed pitchers so far this season has boosted his season average to a .343 (24-70) number.
Joey Pankake
Pankake has exemplified Greiner’s offensive vigilance at times with the Connecticut Tigers, for example, drawing four walks in a 10-9 win against Mahoning Valley. On top of the four walks, Pankake also added a hit and two runs scored that night. Eight of Pankake’s 26 hits have been extra-base hits, including six doubles, as he is continuing to build off his reputation of shooting balls into the gaps. Pankake has typically split time with Steven Fuentes, a 19-year-old Venezuelan prospect who has shown flashes of speed. Despite seven errors at the position, the former SEC all-defensive team selection Pankake appears to have the edge at third. Fuentes trails Pankake in most offensive categories, and one statistic may keep Fuentes away from the hot corner as long as Pankake is around. Fuentes is hitting .247 (18-73), but is struggling against left-handers, mustering only one hit in 16 chances, which is good for a .063 average.
Jordan Montgomery
The success of the three South Carolina hurlers taken in this year’s draft has not been as instantaneous as that of the position players. Former Friday starter and Gamecocks ace Montgomery was roughed up in his first start for the Staten Island Yankees, surrendering three earned runs over 0.2 innings. Montgomery went two innings in his next start for the Single-A Yankees affiliate, giving up only one unearned run on two hits. He was the most effective in his third and most recent start in a 5-4 victory over the Williamsport Crosscutters, where he pitched three innings of no-hit baseball, yielding three strikeouts.
Joel Seddon
Joel Seddon has undergone a seamless transition into the minor leagues, looking identical to the Seddon who saved 14 games for the Gamecocks last season. After making one appearance for the Athletics’ rookie league club, Seddon was promoted to the Class A Beloit Snappers, where he currently is. He has pitched in eight games, picking up one win on his way to a 0.84 ERA. Seddon also has eight strikeouts through 10.2 innings.
Evan Beal
Beal surprised most people when he signed an agreement with the Kansas City Royals after the team took him in the 21st round of the 2014 MLB Draft. Beal, who still had another year eligibility with the Gamecocks, finished the 2014 season with a 3.29 ERA over 13.2 innings. Through three appearances, he has given up five runs through three innings pitched. He was knocked around in his first appearance with the Burlington Royals, the organization’s rookie league club, pitching one full inning and giving up three runs. He gave up a run in each of his next two outings, but still managed to pick up the save on both occasions.