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MLB Draft just another mile marker for Gamecocks recruit Eli Jerzembeck
Eli Jerzembeck has emerged as a top prospect with the help of former major league father. Photo: (Courtesy: @9jerze/Instagram)

MLB Draft just another mile marker for Gamecocks recruit Eli Jerzembeck

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (BVM) — For Eli Jerzembeck, baseball is in the blood.

Eli’s father, Mike, had a nine-year professional career that included a major-league stint with the New York Yankees.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Eli would naturally become a pitcher, taking advantage of having his dad’s guidance whenever he needed.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had to look to anyone else for advice,” Eli said. “People always ask, ‘Who do you train with?’ I’ve never worked with anyone. I’ve just worked with my dad for I don’t remember how long. It’s awesome to have that in your corner, because you always know you have someone you can trust. No one wants you to succeed more than your father.”

His father’s teachings have paid off in a big way.

Eli is the No. 5 player in the state of North Carolina and is primed to be selected within the first few rounds of this summer’s MLB Draft.

But for the 6-foot-2 right-hander out of Providence High School in Charlotte, he’s focused on the long haul rather than immediate fame.

“It’s a mile, not a sprint,” Eli said. “You see all these guys trying to prove themselves early, but it’s a lot more than that. You have to be within yourself and just know what you’re working for.”

One of Jerzembeck’s first mile markers was committing to the University of South Carolina. He pledged his future to the school prior to the beginning of his sophomore season getting a major decision out of the way.

“When I went to South Carolina, I was like, ‘I feel very comfortable here,’” Eli said. “It kind of reminded me of my childhood. I always grew up going to the beach with a lot of palm trees. It had the same feeling in Columbia. Even though you’re not near a beach, it had the same feeling and I loved it.”

But with Eli’s draft value, it is not a guarantee he makes it to campus. With the MLB Draft set to begin on July 17, Jerzembeck will have a decision to make on his future.

“I definitely like to not think about it,” Eli said. “It’s easy to get caught up with going to ESPN and looking at MLB’s top 100. That’s fine, but I think I still have so much more to prove. I think I’m the best pitcher in this class and I think I can prove that.”

While his threepitch mix includes a mid-90s fastball and a curveball that he repeatedly throws for strikes, Jerzembeck’s best asset may be the mentality that he brings with him to the mound.

“I have a short-term memory on the field,” Eli said. “You either do good or bad and you don’t want to think about it. You just want to be in the moment.”

Jerzembeck’s unique maturity for his age should give him a good shot at accomplishing the goal that every high school pitcher has: making it to the big leagues.

“I think it’s something that could very much happen,” Eli said. “Just hard work and becoming the very best pitcher I can be. Hopefully that’s in my future.”