Hometown signee Beau Hollins among Gamecock names to watch in MLB Draft

It’s been a busy few months for Beau Hollins, but his baseball future will come into focus over the next few days.

The River Bluff High School standout and South Carolina baseball signee could hear his name called during this year’s MLB Draft. The 20-round draft begins Sunday with the first two rounds and continues Monday and on Tuesday.

“I’m so blessed and thankful to be in this situation. Whether it is playing for the Gamecocks or pro ball, I am extremely excited for either or,” Hollins told The State. “Obviously I want to play pro ball, but we will have to see what happens. I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Hollins, the son of major leaguer and former USC player Dave Hollins, has spent the last few months training for the draft or being ready to head to USC. He was one of the 319 prospects picked for last month’s MLB Draft combine in Arizona, where he took part in drills, a game and meeting with league executives.

“Got to play in a game on a big-league field and had a double. It was just a fun experience,” Hollins said.

At the combine, Hollins connected with other USC signees and players, including Cole and Carson Messina and PJ Morlando. The Messinas and Morlando, all three former Summerville standouts, should be drafted. Morlando could go as early as the first round.

While he’s not on the ESPN and MLB Pipeline Top 200 lists, Hollins could still be selected somewhere in the draft.

Hollins spent a few hours with new Gamecocks coach Paul Maineri last month and talked about the future of the program. The River Bluff standout came away impressed with Mainieri, who won a national championship with LSU.

“I told my dad if there was any coach I want to play for after high school, it is this guy,” Hollins said. “He seems right up my alley and is a great coach. He has an outstanding resume. I can’t wait to play for him if that is what it comes to.”

Top Gamecocks to watch in MLB Draft

PJ Morlando, OF, USC signee: The 2024 S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year and top player in this year’s USC recruiting class solidified himself as a top-tier prospect with a strong showing in the MLB Combine. ESPN projects him going No. 27th overall to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Cole Messina, C: The Johnny Bench award winner for top catcher in college hit .326 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs this year. ESPN projected Messina as the 67th overall pick to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Carson Messina, P: The younger brother of Gamecocks catcher Cole Messina, Carson is part of USC’s 2024 recruiting class. ESPN ranks him at No. 179 among this year’s draft prospects.

Eli Jerzembeck, P: The Gamecocks right-hander hasn’t pitched in a game since May 2023 because of Tommy John surgery but had a strong 2022 campaign. He is draft-eligible after turning 21 years old on June 17.

Brandon Clarke, P: Clarke is a junior college signee for USC who’s from State College of Florida. ESPN has him ranked 214th in its top prospects for the draft.

Eli Jones, P: The right-hander was invited to MLB Combine and was 3-4 this season in 17 games with 56 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings.

Kennedy Jones, OF: UNC Greensboro transfer spent one season with USC and hit .289 with nine homers and 48 RBIs this year.

Roman Kimball, P: USC pitcher also was a invited to the MLB Combine and spent this season with the Gamecocks after transferring from Notre Dame. He missed the 2023 season after Tommy John surgery and went 2-2 with 42 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.

Midlands players to watch in MLB Draft

Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee: Amick played at WW King and P27 Academy in high school before playing two seasons at Clemson. Amick transferred to Tennessee this year and hit .306 with 23 home runs and 65 RBIs in helping the Vols to the national title. Most mock drafts have Amick as a late first-round pick.

Will Taylor, OF, Clemson: Taylor was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2021 but opted to go to Clemson for football and baseball. He eventually gave up football over this summer to concentrate on baseball. The Dutch Fork graduate hit .230 with seven homers and 19 RBIs before suffering a wrist injury in April and missing rest of season. ESPN projects him as a third-round draft pick.