Gainey Picked in the Ninth Round by Tampa Bay in the MLB Draft
ARLINGTON – Fifth-year lefthanded pitcher Garrett Gainey of the University of South Carolina baseball team was picked in the ninth round by the Tampa Bay Rays on the second day of the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Monday afternoon (July 15).
Gainey, a fifth-year senior from Hartsville, S.C., made 24 appearances with three starts for the Gamecocks in 2024. He had a 4.00 ERA and was tied for fifth in the SEC with six saves to go along with 68 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched. Gainey, who walked just 11 batters, earned saves in both ends of a doubleheader sweep of Vanderbilt on March 23. He struck out seven in a 5.1-inning start vs. Georgia on May 11 and had a win in the SEC Tournament against Arkansas, striking out three and allowing one run in three innings.
Gainey joins Cole Messina (3rd round, Colorado Rockies) and Eli Jones (7th round, Minnesota Twins) as Carolina draftees on the second day.
The draft continues this afternoon with rounds 3-10, broadcasted on MLB.com.
South Carolina Selections in the 2024 MLB Draft
Rd. (Pick) Name Team
3 (77) Cole Messina Colorado Rockies
7 (218) Eli Jones Minnesota Twins
9 (276) Garrett Gainey Tampa Bay Rays
