What Kennedy Jones can bring to South Carolina next season
South Carolina got a massive portal pickup Wednesday, landing UNC Greensboro’s Kennedy Jones in an effort to continue building an offense that can compete at the highest levels.
For background, Jones entered the portal soon after the season. He quickly jumped to the top of the Gamecocks’ list in terms of wants. Jones, who has connections to the university, immediately had South Carolina at the top of his list as well.
He and the staff continued to communicate over the course of the last few weeks. South Carolina’s staff went up to the Cape Cod Leauge this week to watch him play and visit with him.
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Jones committed to the Gamecocks Wednesday and announced his decision officially a few hours later, securing one of the bigger pickups in the portal so far this offseason.
And he’ll fill a need South Carolina was in desperate need of filling this offseason in a top of the lineup hitter who can play the outfield.
Jones, who hits from the right side, finished last season hitting .357 with a 1.042 OPS and 14 home runs. He had one fewer RBI (43) than strikeout (44) last season.
His 14 homers would have been fourth-best on this year’s South Carolina team and his 14 doubles would have been second-best on this year’s team behind Cole Messina’s 18.
He would have led the Gamecocks in on-base percentage would have been fourth-best among qualified hitters. He struck out in 15.7 percent of plate appearances last season. That would have been the best on the team by a full percentage point.
Jones and the Spartans played 15 games against teams in the Big 10 and ACC, including four combined games against Wake Forest and NC State.
In those games (70 plate appearances, 57 at-bats), Jones hit .281/.400/.509 with 13 runs scored, eight RBI and four homers. He walked two more times (7) than he struck out (5).
So the Gamecocks are not only getting someone who can hit for average (a .391 BABIP) but someone who can hit for power. He doesn’t strike out a ton comparatively to what is on the roster currently.
The Gamecocks need to replace the top two hitters in the lineup next year in Will McGillis and Braylen Wimmer, who were productive in the leadoff and two-hole.
Jones seems to be tailor-made to slide into the No. 2 hole in the order behind North Florida’s Austin Brinling. It’s more of that quintessential two-hole hitter who can get on base. But he can also drive in runs and hit for power as well.
He also hit .400 with runners in scoring position last season as well. It’s a big offensive piece for the Gamecocks, who can use Jones’ skill set next season at the top of the order.
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South Caroilna’s top four in the lineup could consist of Brinling, Jones, Ethan Petry and Messina. Those four combined to hit .355/.460/.622 with a .384 BABIP and a 1.27 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
They scored 223 runs, drove in 214 and hit 57 home runs.
Defensively, Jones will fit most likely in left field as the starter there. He can play some first if needed, but he’s primarily an outfielder and will be at South Carolina.
How the outfield shifts around him is going to be interesting. Austin Brinling is the likely starter in centerfield and Petry the incumbent in right. Blake Jackson is also coming in with the transfer class as an outfielder.
The Gamecocks aren’t done, and are still heavily in the mix here for Clemson’s Billy Amick.
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