Chapin, July 26, 2025
News Summary
Matthew Becker, a senior lefthanded pitcher from the University of South Carolina, has been drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 19th round of the MLB Draft. Over his collegiate career, Becker demonstrated exceptional talent with impressive statistics, including 263 strikeouts. His draft selection highlights a continued trend of South Carolina players being chosen by the Twins. Despite Becker’s achievements, the Gamecocks’ overall performance in the season was disappointing, finishing with a record of 28-29.
Columbia, South Carolina
Matthew Becker, a senior lefthanded pitcher from the University of South Carolina, was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 19th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, which took place on July 14, 2025. Becker was drafted 569th overall, marking a significant milestone in his baseball journey.
Becker, who hails from Chapin, South Carolina, established himself as a formidable presence on the mound during his four-year career with the Gamecocks. He appeared in 79 games, recording a career total of 14 wins, 6 saves, and an impressive 263 strikeouts across 193.1 innings pitched. In the 2025 season alone, he played in 19 games, earning a record of 3 wins and striking out 64 batters over 47.1 innings.
Notable performances during the 2025 season included a season-high of 9 strikeouts in his first start against Sacred Heart on February 15 and an 8-strikeout game versus Milwaukee on February 22. Additionally, he recorded 7 strikeouts in a relief appearance against Mississippi State on April 6, 2025, and secured a win against LSU on May 15. Becker was recognized as SEC Freshman of the Week after posting 11 strikeouts against the then-top-ranked Texas team on March 13, 2022.
This selection marks the second consecutive year that a player from the University of South Carolina has been drafted by the Minnesota Twins, following Eli Jones, who was taken in the 7th round in 2024. South Carolina had a total of three players chosen in the 2025 MLB Draft, including Ethan Petry in the 2nd round (49th overall) by the Washington Nationals and Nathan Hall in the 5th round (153rd overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The 2025 MLB Draft, consisting of 20 rounds over two days, saw the latter rounds take place on July 14. Players drafted in the top 10 rounds generally sign with the teams that selected them, reflecting strong opportunities for the drafted athletes seeking to advance their careers in professional baseball.
Despite the successful draft outcomes for Becker and his teammates, the 2025 season for the South Carolina Gamecocks was disappointing overall. The team ended with a record of 28-29, including a record of 6-24 within the SEC, which was their worst performance in conference history. In contrast to Becker’s draft success, Ethan Petry led the team with a .321 batting average, hitting 10 home runs and driving in 34 RBIs in a season limited by injuries. Nathan Hall emerged as a standout performer, achieving a .322 batting average with 38 RBIs and an impressive 17-game hitting streak.
Becker, standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, is recognized for his powerful pitching performance throughout his collegiate career, which undoubtedly contributed to his selection in this year’s draft.
FAQ
Who was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 2025 MLB Draft?
Matthew Becker, a senior lefthanded pitcher from the University of South Carolina, was drafted in the 19th round.
What was Matthew Becker’s performance during his college career?
In four years at South Carolina, Becker had 14 wins, 6 saves, and struck out 263 batters in 193.1 innings.
What were Becker’s notable achievements in the 2025 season?
In the 2025 season, Becker made 19 appearances, starting six games, with 64 strikeouts in 47.1 innings. He had a season-high of 9 strikeouts in one game.
What is the history of South Carolina players being drafted by the Twins?
This is the second consecutive year a South Carolina player was drafted by the Twins, following Eli Jones in 2024.
What was the overall performance of the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2025 season?
The Gamecocks finished the season with a record of 28-29, including a disappointing 6-24 record in the SEC.
Key Features of the 2025 MLB Draft
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Draft Date | July 14, 2025 |
| Rounds | 20 rounds total; rounds 4-20 on July 14 |
| South Carolina Players Drafted | 3 players: Ethan Petry (2nd round), Nathan Hall (5th round), Matthew Becker (19th round) |
| South Carolina Record | 28-29 overall, 6-24 in SEC |
| Notable Drafted Player | Matthew Becker, 19th round by Minnesota Twins |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Matthew Becker Selected by Minnesota Twins in MLB Draft
Local Players Selected in Major League Baseball Draft
University of South Carolina Baseball Standouts Drafted
New Sports Training Program for Youth in Chapin, SC
Gamecocks Baseball Advances to SEC Tournament Semifinal with Friday Win over Kentucky
Columbia Baseball Splits Doubleheader with No. 2 Arkansas
Columbia Celebrates Gamecock Baseball Success
Baseball Earns 4-3 Win over Georgia State in North Augusta
Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Chapin Native Picked by Minnesota in 19th Round of the MLB Draft
- Greenville Online: South Carolina Baseball MLB Draft 2025 Tracker
- Gamecocks Online: Hall Picked by Arizona in Fifth Round of the MLB Draft
- The State: South Carolina Baseball News
- 247 Sports: South Carolina Gamecocks Baseball MLB Draft Preview 2025
- Wikipedia: 2025 MLB Draft
- Google Search: South Carolina Baseball MLB Draft
- Google Scholar: South Carolina Baseball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: MLB Draft
- Google News: South Carolina Gamecocks
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
