LIVE REPORT: Ethan Petry’s Position in 2025? Doesn’t Matter—His Bat is the Showstopper
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Ethan Petry is going to play somewhere in 2025. That’s a given. But let’s be honest—his position isn’t the real story.
Much like no one went to a Van Halen concert just to hear Eddie Van Halen sing, fans don’t watch Petry for his glove. They come to see him crush baseballs.
A preseason All-American because of his bat, a likely first-round MLB Draft pick for the same reason, and undeniably South Carolina’s best player—Petry is a game-changer at the plate.
Where Will He Play?
The Gamecocks will find a spot for him—that’s not in doubt. Maybe it’s third base, where he’s been filling in while KJ Scobey recovers from injury. Maybe it’s right field, where he spent most of 2024. Or perhaps it’s first base, where he played extensively last spring.
Could it be a mix of all three? Absolutely.
South Carolina head coach Paul Mainieri sees a future for Petry at first base in the pros but knows his versatility is a huge asset.
“I think probably Petry’s long-term career in the big leagues is going to be as a first baseman, but he doesn’t care where he plays,” Mainieri said. “Whether it’s right field, first base, third base, that kid just wants to win.”
And winning is what Petry does—especially with a bat in his hands.
Chasing South Carolina History
Petry is on track to become South Carolina’s all-time home run leader by the end of 2025.
With 23 home runs as a freshman and 21 last season, he has already climbed to No. 6 on the program’s all-time list. He needs just 19 more to surpass Justin Smoak’s record of 62.
Yes, his batting average dipped in 2024 as pitchers threw him fewer strikes, forcing him to chase. But even with the added attention, he still hit .306—not exactly a slump.
If there were any doubts about Petry’s ability to adjust, he erased them in the Cape Cod League this summer.
Petry didn’t just perform—he dominated.
- Won the Home Run Derby
- Batted .360
- Hit 11 home runs
- Led the league in five offensive categories
- Named Cape Cod League MVP
Petry embraced the grind of playing every day, sharpening his mental approach.
“You play every day and you can’t dwell on your 0-for-5 game,” he said. “You go out there, you’re tired, not mentally locked in sometimes. But you just give 100 percent of you, 50 percent, 100 percent of you, 70 percent. You’ve gotta go out there and try your best every day.”
Petry and Mainieri: A Winning Duo
Mainieri, a 67-year-old coaching veteran with a national championship pedigree from LSU, knew exactly how important Petry was when he took the South Carolina job.
His first call? Ethan Petry.
“I wanted to make sure he was still in the fold with us,” Mainieri said on the “Southeastern 16” podcast.
Petry’s response? There was never a question.
Despite the coaching change, he never considered entering the transfer portal. In fact, when Mainieri called, Petry was at a Tampa Bay Rays game and had no idea who he was talking to.
“I didn’t really know who he was. I’m not gonna lie,” Petry admitted. “I wasn’t a big follower of college baseball in high school. … I was like, ‘Can I call you back because I’m at a Rays game?’”
A quick Google search later, and Petry was convinced: Mainieri was the perfect guy for the job.
Now, with his coach in place and his bat locked in, Petry is ready to make history in 2025.
And wherever he plays on defense? That’s just extra.
USC Baseball Early Schedule:
- Feb. 14 vs. Sacred Heart, 4 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Feb. 15 vs. Sacred Heart, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Feb. 16 vs. Sacred Heart, Noon (SEC Network Plus)
- Feb. 18 at Winthrop, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
- Feb. 19 vs. Queens, 4 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Feb. 21 vs. Milwaukee, 4 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Feb. 22 vs. Milwaukee, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
- Feb. 23 vs. Milwaukee, 1:30 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
Ethan Petry is ready to put on a show. South Carolina fans? Buckle up.
