“The biggest reason for my optimism going into the year is because of our pitching staff,” Mainieri said. “We’ve got some really good arms out there.”
After praising McCoy, Mainieri named five arms that were still in the running for spots in the weekend rotation: Amp Phillips, Riley Goodman, Alex Philpott, Bradley Hodges, and Josh Gunther.
Phillips, a junior, comes to Columbia after one dynamic season at USC Upstate. The right-hander racked up 84 innings and a 3.64 ERA for the Spartans, striking out 81 batters.
He began the year in the bullpen but emerged as a starter with a feisty persona on the bump. The fastball hits 95, and he brings energy to a staff that’ll now need an extra shot or two without McCoy.
“I love Amp, I think he’s a real bulldog on the mound. He pitched really well for USC Upstate last year,” Mainieri said.
Goodman is returning from Tommy John surgery and will finally get his first real taste of college action this spring. He was one of the top recruits in the state of Tennessee in the 2024 cycle, and the righty now gets a chance to showcase an arsenal that’s highlighted by a high-90s heater.
“Riley’s rehab was a big part of last year,” Mainieri said. “He finally got to pitch some, a little bit in the summer and this fall he was absolutely dominant in our intrasquad scrimmages.”
Philpott transferred in from Florida and is an intriguing option for the Gamecocks. His 7.30 ERA in 22 appearances and 37 IP last season doesn’t look great, and there have been plenty of hiccups, but he has the stuff and the experience that’s needed to compete in the SEC.