Former Gamecocks pitcher, Dutch Fork alum earns MLB call-up
Another former South Carolina baseball player is joining the big leagues.
Former USC pitcher TJ Shook has been called up to join the MLB’s Colorado Rockies, the club announced Monday. Shook had been pitching for the Rockies’ Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes, before his call-up.
He is the 61st former South Carolina baseball player to earn an MLB call-up.
Shook, a Columbia native and Dutch Fork High School alum, played for the Gamecocks from 2017-20 and was part of USC’s 2018 super regional team under coach Mark Kingston.
The right-handed pitcher made 41 appearances for South Carolina and was 6-1 with a 3.04 ERA and three saves. He recorded 92 strikeouts in 74 innings.
Shook, 28, started his pro career with the Brewers in 2020 after going undrafted. He also spent time with the Mets before joining the Rockies.
He earned a call-up after recording a 2-0 record and 2.86 ERA in 22 appearances for the Isotopes, Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate, this season. The Rockies are 23-38 (.377) this season and have the worst run differential (-82) in MLB.
Shook is USC’s first MLB call-up since Carlos Cortes in 2025 (Athletics).
How many USC players are in the MLB?
With Shook joining the Rockies, the South Carolina baseball team has six former players on 2026 Major League Baseball rosters as of Tuesday:
- RF Carlos Cortes, Athletics
- RHP Carmen Mlodzinski, Pirates
- 1B Christian Walker, Astros
- LHP Jordan Montgomery, Rangers (injured)
- RHP Clarke Schmidt, Yankees (injured)
- RHP TJ Shook, Rockies
This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 10:58 AM with the headline "Former Gamecocks pitcher, Dutch Fork alum earns MLB call-up."
