Garnet And Black Attack - 2015 MLB Draft #SpursUphttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50351/gaba-fav.png2015-06-10T13:27:23-04:00http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/rss/stream/85072862015-06-10T13:27:23-04:002015-06-10T13:27:23-04:00Max drafted by the Nats in the 13th Round
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<figcaption><a href='http://southcarolina.247sports.com/'>TheBigSpur</a></figcaption>
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<p>Despite having a fairly productive junior season, Max fell below his draft projections. He now has a big decision to make.</p> <p>After being projected as a 4th or 5th round pick, Max fell all the way to the 13th round of the MLB Draft. All draft picks outside of the first 10 rounds are capped to a maximum $100,000 signing bonus. Even though Max managed to hit .354 with 7 homeruns this year, injuries seem to be a concern for him in the eyes of scouts, and he stands to receive a small signing bonus; if he receives one at all.</p>
<p>Luckily for Carolina fans, it seems Max is leaning towards following KMart's lead and returning for his senior season. If this is indeed the end of Max's career at USC, he will finish with some impressive numbers. So far Max has hit .302 with 17 homers and 93 RBI's. He also managed to tack on a solid 26 stolen bases, just for good measure.</p>
<p>If Max hopes to make the big club, he will need to prove he can be a consistent fielder. At times this year, Max looked really bad at both second base and out in left field. However, he proved to be capable of making more than just the routine plays. Hopefully this season was just a blip on the radar for him defensively.</p>
<p>For more MLB Draft coverage on Max head over to our sister site, <a href="http://www.federalbaseball.com/">Federal Baseball</a>.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2015/6/10/8761123/max-schrock-mlb-draft-gamecocks-nationalsSMcDowell932015-06-09T18:18:14-04:002015-06-09T18:18:14-04:00Wynkoop to the Rockies
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<figcaption><a href='http://thebigspur.smugmug.com/Gamecock-Baseball'>TheBigSpur</a></figcaption>
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<p>Carolina's ace was taken in the 6th round by the Colorado Rockies. Which likely means Wynkoop will join the professional ranks.</p> <p>Fortunately for Jack, despite him being taken later than some expected, he will still likely receive a signing bonus of around $300,000. Unfortunately for us, this means Jack will likely not be returning to USC for his senior season (money talks).</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What a crazy day, thanks to the rockies for giving me a chance to achieve my dream. More importantly… <a href="https://t.co/yfUlZ15d9P">https://t.co/yfUlZ15d9P</a></p>
— Jack Wynkoop (@jack_wynkoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack_wynkoop/status/608379761870704641">June 9, 2015</a>
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<p>However, if Jack were to come back and put on a show his senior season, he could likely vault himself into the top 2 or 3 rounds of the 2016 MLB Draft. Obviously, this would be a huge deal for the Carolina baseball program. Despite being put under enormous pressure this season as Carolina's only healthy consistent weekend starter, he still managed to go 8-5, post a solid 3.27 ERA, and pitch 104 2/3 innings.</p>
<p>As a tall composed lefty, Wynkoop has the body and "makeup" that pro scouts dream of. He has an above average fastball to go with a plus change up, and also presents an average slider and a below average slider. Wynkoop will need to continue to prove that he can get batters out depending on baseball IQ, composure, and mixing speeds. For more draft coverage on Jack, go check out our sister site <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/">Purple Row</a>.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2015/6/9/8754613/jack-wynkoop-mlb-draft-colorado-rockiesSMcDowell932015-06-09T17:57:35-04:002015-06-09T17:57:35-04:00KMart Picked in 4th Round of Draft
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<figcaption><a href='http://thebigspur.smugmug.com/Gamecock-Baseball'>TheBigSpur</a></figcaption>
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<p>Carolina's superstar was picked on the draft's second day.</p> <p>Today, Kyle Martin was taken by Philadelphia with the 114th pick of the Major League Draft. Despite his draft slot having a signing bonus value just under $500,000, Kyle will probably be forced to take a significantly less bonus, as he gave up bargaining leverage by returning for his senior season. Despite this, Martin says he has no regrets about returning to Carolina; "I'm glad I got the chance to put on the uniform on one more time...This year was all about having fun and just enjoying my last year."</p>
<p>Chris Slade had this to say on Kyle Martin after watching him play in April:</p>
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<p>Martin showed up this Spring having added ten pounds of muscle and that extra time in the gym has made a difference at the plate...Power is definitely his best tool and when he gets a hold of one like he did on Sunday for the <a href="https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqISzeQlVCiwAYEc0nIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByZWc0dGJtBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDBGdwb3MDMQ--?p=kyle+martin+walkoff&vid=e1542d7ce20468a99c59e535a6ecede2&l=00%3A59&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608035518420811946%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dbz_uHiENiwg&tit=Kyle+Martin+Walk-Off+Two-Run+Home+Run+vs.+Kentucky&c=0&sigr=11asmoihk&sigt=11iq5am85&sigi=11reopjr0&age=1426454609&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&hsimp=yhs-fullyhosted_011&hspart=iry&tt=b">walk off winner</a> it leaves the park in a hot second. He's shortened his swing path and has shown an improved ability to get the barrel out in front this year, tapping into his plus pull power frequently.</p>
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<p>However, a large concern for Martin will be how his below average bat speed and athleticism translates to the higher levels (A Advanced - AAA) of the minor leagues. For more coverage on Kyle Martin going forward, check out our sister site <a href="http://www.thegoodphight.com/">The Good Phight</a>.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2015/6/9/8754517/gamecocks-mlb-draft-phillies-kyle-martinSMcDowell932015-06-07T13:21:57-04:002015-06-07T13:21:57-04:00Wynkoop is likely to be a first day pick
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<figcaption><a href='http://thebigspur.smugmug.com/Gamecock-Baseball'>TheBigSpur</a></figcaption>
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<p>Carolina's ace is, unfortunately (for us), pro ball bound, given that he's taken high enough.</p> <p>Out of high school, Jack was yet another recruit that scouts raved over. However, <a href="http://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2015/6/7/8743087/mlb-draft-profile-max-schrock-gamecock-baseball">similar to Max Schrock</a>, he was so firm in his commitment to Carolina that he plummeted down draft boards out of high school. Wynkoop is a projectable finesse lefty and is the top rated left handed pitcher in the state of South Carolina. Despite earning Freshman All-American honors and emerged as Carolina's most productive pitcher this last year, scouts say that his stuff has not developed much since high school. However, they are impressed with his ability to change speeds and keep batters off balance. Personally, he reminds me a lot of Michael Roth. A soft throwing lefty who can ramp the fastball up to the low 90s when needed, but usually relies on movement, placement and offspeed stuff to get batters out.</p>
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<p><b>Projection: </b>If Wynkoop makes it to the big leagues, I think he will likely find a role as a left handed specialist and maybe a spot starter. With the rise of flame throwers in the big leagues, 'Koop will need to find a way to put on some muscle and get his fastball up into the mid-90s with consistently.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2015/6/7/8743257/mlb-draft-profile-jack-wynkoop-gamecock-baseballSMcDowell932015-06-07T12:43:32-04:002015-06-07T12:43:32-04:00Max has a decision to make
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<figcaption><a href='http://thebigspur.smugmug.com/Gamecock-Baseball'>TheBigSpur</a></figcaption>
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<p>Max weighs his options as the Major League Draft looms</p> <p>Despite getting off to a slow start in the 2015 season, Schrock had a very strong finish. He managed to hit .328/.419/.500 despite fighting several injuries and hitting under .250 for for the first quarter of the season. He was also able to hit 6 homeruns, drive in 34 runs, and hit 11 doubles on his way to an All-SEC 2nd team selection. Max has a pretty high upside talent wise. Out of high school he was projected as a possible top 5 round draft pick if he had been considered signable. Instead, because of his firm commitment to Carolina, he was taken in the 28th round by the Diamondbacks. While at Carolina he has drawn comparisons to current big MLB player Tommy La Stella. La Stella, while not a superstar player in the big leagues, is a solid contributor on the Chicago Cubs and previously the Atlanta Braves.</p>
<p>While Max has average speed, he is a very good baserunner. Although he is not a threat to steal, he is usually able to take the extra base on a basehit. While solid with the bat, Schrock sometimes botches seemingly routine plays in the field. He seems to often pull his head and his glove up too soon on hard hit ground balls. This erratic play could force him to move to left field in his pro career, as he does not possess great arm strength.</p>
<p><b>Projection: </b>Max will likely be taken in the top 20 rounds. However, which specific round is up in the air, as most don't know how his injury history will effect his draft stock. If taken and <i>if </i>he signs, I see Max at worst becoming a regular at the AAA level. However, I do have a feeling that if he is not taken exceptionally high, he will follow KMart's lead and return for his senior year to improve his draft projections (please stay, Max. You're our only hope.)</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2015/6/7/8743087/mlb-draft-profile-max-schrock-gamecock-baseballSMcDowell932015-06-04T15:56:09-04:002015-06-04T15:56:09-04:00Gamecock MLB Draft Previews: Kyle Martin
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<figcaption><a href='http://thebigspur.smugmug.com/Gamecock-Baseball'>TheBigSpur</a></figcaption>
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<p>Martin looks to hear his name called in the first few rounds of the MLB draft</p> <p>Where would this Gamecock baseball team have been without Kyle Martin? After choosing to come back for his senior season, despite a 20th round selection in the 2014 MLB Draft, Martin showed the scouts exactly what the scouts wanted to boost his stock. While in his junior season he finished with a respectable 5 homeruns and 38 RBI's to go along with a .336/.389/.443 slash line, Martin not only tripled his homerun total with 14 and increased his RBI count to 56, but he also managed to <i>increase </i>his slash line totals finishing with a jaw dropping .350/.455/.635. Usually when a big powerful hitter starts swinging for the fences more, there is a trade off as the batting average and OBP drops. However, this was clearly not the case with Martin. It is clear after earning 1st team All-SEC and 2nd team All-American honors that, despite Carolina having a rather embarrassing year, he has the respect of national analysts.</p>
<p>In his senior year, Martin proved that he is not just a hitter that bats for average, but there is a lot of pop in his bat as well. However, what makes me think he will translate well to the pros is his glovework over at 1st base. Time and time again this season, Martin dug balls out of the dirt, showed his quick hands and feet at the corner, and also showed adequate to above average arm strength.</p>
<p><b>Projection: </b>I would look for Martin to go anywhere from the 5th to the 15th rounds. But I would be very surprised if he is not a first day draft selection. Martin has some considerable upside. With his floor probably being a AAA regular and his ceiling being an everyday starter in the Major Leagues one day.</p>
https://www.garnetandblackattack.com/2015/6/4/8731779/south-carolina-gamecocks-kyle-martin-mlb-draftSMcDowell93