The South Carolina administration threw new baseball coach Kevin Schnall quite a shindig on Friday night at Founders Park, complete with an Uber-copter for an arrival. However, Schnall and his new staff are not party animals, per se. They went right to work with recruits coming to Columbia this weekend. Three announced commitments on Sunday, two of them being the first high school prospects to commit to Schnall at USC.
Catcher Brogan Witcher (6-5 205) of Bakersfield, CA reclassified from 2028 to 2027. He was already regarded as one of the top prospects in the 2028 class by Jim Callis of MLB.com. Last season, Witcher hit .460 with 14 homers and 41 RBIs. He committed four errors in 169 chances.
Perfect Game scouting report on Witcher: “Tall athletic build with some lean present strength and big physical projection remaining. Primary catcher on defense with definite two-way potential on the mound. Sets up side saddle behind the plate, clean exchange, repeated his mechanics well, accurate throws, under control, showed a right knee down stance as well with athleticism and bend out of the crouch, accurate with feel.”
2027 RHP Andres Jimenez of Lilburn, GA was 9-1 this past season with a 2.22 ERA. He had three complete games, including a pair of shutouts. He struck out 99 batters and walked 21 in 69.1 innings.
Perfect Game scouting report on Jimenez: “Stronger build, especially in the lower half. Primary third baseman with a higher long-term ceiling on the mound. Works from a drop step delivery with a belt high leg raise, good tempo, and repeats his mechanics well. Fastball sat in the upper 80’s with 2-seam run and 4-seam ride. Slider with tight lateral action and curveball with depth and late sinking changeup for four-pitch starter profile.”
Free agent RHP Max Bianchini will be coming in from Upstate where he spent two seasons. The Illinois native made 19 appearances this season with 6 starts. He was 4-3 with a 6.18 ERA. He spent 2 years in JUCO before Upstate.
Here’s his two-season bio from Upstate:
2026 (REDSHIRT JUNIOR): Appeared in 19 games, making six starts and 13 relief appearances … Tossed 43.2 innings, striking out 42 batters … Posted an 8.66 strikeout per nine innings total … Recorded a 4-3 record with a 6.18 ERA and .293 opponents’ batting average … Tossed a career-long 6.0 innings versus NJIT on 2/22/26 … Struck out a career-high five batters on four occasions: over 2.2 innings of work versus South Alabama on 2/15/26; over 5.1 innings of work versus Texas on 3/8/26; over 3.0 innings of work versus Northern Kentucky on 5/15/26; and over 3.0 innings of work versus Longwood on 5/24/26 … Recorded 10 scoreless outings and one quality start on the season.
2025 (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE): Named Honorable Mention All-Big South … Named Big South Relief Pitcher of the Week on 4/28/25 … Appeared in 24 games, making one start and 23 relief appearances … Tossed 50.0 innings, striking out 39 batters … Posted a 7.02 strikeout per nine innings total … Recorded a 5-3 record and one save with a 4.32 ERA and .254 opponents’ batting average … Tossed a season-long 5.0 innings versus UNCG on 4/18/25 … Struck out a season-high four over 2.0 innings of work versus Charleston Southern on 3/23/25 … Recorded seven scoreless outings on the season … Made his USC Upstate debut with 3.0 innings of work out of the bullpen versus Boston College on 2/14/25.