Three South Carolina juniors expect to be high picks in the Major League Baseball draft. Several experts have first baseman Justin Smoak going in the first ten picks of Thursday’s draft. He led the Gamecocks with a .383 average this season and 23 home runs. He is South Carolina’s all-time leader with 62 homers.
I agree with the experts and predict he goes to San Fran at number 5….they need some power….but if not he will fall to #9 and go to the Nationals but will not fall out of the top 10 b/c the Astros at #10 would select him if he is still on the board.
Infielders Reese Havens and James Darnell also expect to go in the first few rounds. Havens had a .359 batting average this season and hit 18 home runs, while Darnell hit .306 and had 19 homers. Havens could go in the 1st round but only if NY Mets get him other than that chance not much hope to land in the 1st round. Darnell should go in round 3.
The State has a article HERE about the upcoming draft.
LOHD will keep you posted on where all area SC base-ballers end up….developing….
UPDATE – NO USC players selected in Top 10
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