South Carolina pitcher Wil Crowe selected in 21st round by Indians in MLB Draft; Matt Vogel picked by Rays in 25th

South Carolina pitcher Wil Crowe finally saw his name come off the board in the 2016 MLB Draft. After an elbow injury suffered in 2015 forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery and miss this past season, Crowe was selected in the 21st round of the draft by the Cleveland Indians.

Despite missing the past two seasons, Crowe pitched his first game in over a year with the Lexington County Blowfish, part of the amateur Coastal Plain League. He looked sharp as he allowed a run and struck out a pair in two innings pitched. Earlier this week, it was announced that Crowe would return to the Gamecocks in 2017, and despite being drafted by the Indians, it’s fair to believe that he will return for what will be his redshirt junior season.

Later, Matt Vogel was selected in the 25th round by the Tampa Bay Rays. Vogel, who has appeared nine times, has a 1-0 record and a 3.86 ERA. In seven innings, he has allowed six hits, four runs, walked five and struck out 10. Opponents have only hit .222 off of him.

Crowe and Vogel joins five other players that ended up being drafted this weekend. Braden Webb was the first one off the board (3rd round, Brewers), followed by Dom Thompson-Williams (5th round, Yankees), Gene Cone and Marcus Mooney (10th round, Mets and Braves, respectively), and Taylor Widener (12th round, Yankees). Joe Rizzo, who has signed with the Gamecocks, was taken by the Mariners in the second round.