Gene Cone Drafted In 10th Round By New York Mets

June 10, 2016

COLUMBIA, S.C. ââ’¬” Junior outfielder Gene Cone was selected in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the New York Mets. Cone is the fourth Gamecock this year to be chosen in the draft.

Cone continues to lead the Gamecocks in hitting with a .370 average (77-for-208) with 30 RBI and 52 runs scored as well as a .479 on-base percentage and a .510 slugging mark. Cone ranks first in the SEC in on-base percentage and fourth in batting average. Cone and teammate Clarke Schmidt are semifinalists for the Gregg Olson Award, presented by Toolshed Sports and awarded to college baseball’s breakout player of the year. Cone saved his best for league play as he has hit .391 (43-for-110) in 29 SEC games with 13 RBI and 30 runs scored. He led the conference with 27 walks to nine strikeouts and was second in the SEC with a .514 on-base percentage in SEC games. His 30 runs scored in league games were the most by a SEC player this season. He also ranked third in hitting and tied for sixth in hits.

Cone’s school record hitting streak ended at 31 games in the 6-0 loss at Kentucky. Cone’s hitting streak is the longest in Division I baseball this year with his 34-game streak of reaching base safely the longest mark in SEC play.

During the 31-game hitting streak, Cone hit .402 (49-for-122) with 18 RBI, 33 runs scored, 11 doubles, two triples and three homers. His on-base percentage during the streak was .497 with a .598 slugging mark.