Baseball's Mlodzinski Picked by Pirates on the First Day of the MLB Draft

SECAUCUS, N.J. – University of South Carolina redshirt sophomore pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski was selected in competitive balance round A by the Pittsburgh Pirates on the first day of the 2020 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Wednesday night (June 10). Mlodzinski was the 31st overall pick in the draft and the highest Gamecock picked in the draft since Clarke Schmidt went No. 16 to the New York Yankees in 2017.
 
Mlodzinski, a Hilton Head, S.C., native, was 2-1 with a 2.84 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 25.1 innings pitched in the CoVID-19-shortened 2020 season. He combined on a shutout in the 10-0 Opening Day win over Holy Cross (Feb. 14), going seven innings in the victory. He struck out six in seven innings against Northwestern on Feb. 21 and earned the win in 5.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts against Cornell (March 6). Injury cut his sophomore season short, when he made three starts, striking out 11 in 10.2 innings pitched. He made 19 appearances in his freshman season of 2018, earning the win in the Greenville Regional championship game against UNC Wilmington.
 
The MLB Draft will conclude on Thursday night (June 11) with rounds 2-5. The draft will be televised on ESPN and MLB Network beginning at 5 p.m.
 
South Carolina Selections in the 2020 MLB Draft
Rd (Pick)         Name                                      Team
CBA (31)          Carmen Mlodzinski                 Pittsburgh Pirates
4 (117)              Luke Little*                             Chicago Cubs
*signee
 
All-Time First Round/Supplemental/Competitive Balance A MLB Draft Selections
Year                Name                                      Overall            Team
2020                Carmen Mlodzinski$               No. 31             Pirates
2017                Clarke Schmidt                        No. 16             Yankees
2011                Jackie Bradley Jr.*                   No. 40             Red Sox
2008                Justin Smoak                           No. 11             Rangers
2008                Reese Havens                          No. 22             Mets
2004                Landon Powell                        No. 24             A’s
2004                Matt Campbell                        No. 29             Royals
2002                Drew Meyer                            No. 10             Rangers
1999                Brian Roberts*                        No. 50             Orioles
1998                Adam Everett                          No. 12             Red Sox
1990                Brian Williams*                       No. 31             Astros
1985                Mike Cook                               No. 19             Angels
1982                Joe Kucharski                          No. 24             Orioles
1977                Randy Martz                           No. 12             Cubs
1974                Eddie Ford                               No. 20             Red Sox
*Supplemental Pick
$Competitive Balance A Pick
Earl Bass, Garry Hancock and Joe McCarthy all were first round picks in the Secondary Phase drafts.