South Carolina pitcher Clarke Schmidt was selected in the first round of Monday’s MLB draft less than two months after suffering a torn ulnar collateral ligament to his right elbow that required Tommy John surgery.
The junior was picked No. 16 by the New York Yankees and will likely forego his senior season and begin his pro career.
Schmidt is the highest draft pick for USC since Justin Smoak was selected 11th overall and Reese Havens was taken No. 22 overall in the 2008 draft.
Schmidt finished the 2017 season 4-2 with a 1.