Brannon Jordan

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #183 prospect in 2021 draft
  Jordan had some interest as a top-five-round pick in the shortened 2020 draft, but he wound up going undrafted and made it back to South Carolina for his second season with the program after transferring in from Cowley County (Kan.) JC in 2019. Jordan was lights out for the Gamecocks in 2020, posting a 1.71 ERA over four starts, but his control backed up this spring and he managed just a 4.58 ERA over 15 starts and 72.2 innings. He still struck out batters at a decent clip (12.1 K/9), but his walk rate jumped from 3.9 BB/9 to 5.9 BB/9. Jordan has a four-pitch mix but primarily works off of his low-90s fastball and low-80s slider. The fastball has touched 95 mph at its peak and scouts like how it plays in the zone, while his slider flashes plus potential, but he doesn’t consistently hit on the pitch. When he throws a good one, it shows hard tilt in the 83-85 mph range and creates ugly swings from opposing batters from either side of the plate. Jordan also throws a slower curveball with more 12-to-6 shape and a seldomly used mid-80s changeup. The changeup has shown interesting tumbling life at times, but it’s tough for scouts to fully evaluate it with how often he’s thrown the pitch. Jordan was less consistent from start to start this season than scouts expected and there are starter/reliever questions given his strike throwing this year.
• Ranked #185 prospect in 2020 draft
  Jordan ranked at the back of the 2019 BA 500 after showing good strike-throwing ability with a solid, three-pitch mix out of Cowley County (Kan.) JC. The Rays liked his upside enough to take him in the 31st round, but Jordan opted to not sign and instead make his way to South Carolina, where he joined a talented pitching staff and further elevated his draft stock. Jordan had a strong summer in the Northwoods League, where he posted a 1.74 ERA in 20.2 innings while striking out 28 batters and walking seven. He added a cutter to his arsenal during the fall. After relieving over the summer, Jordan moved into a starting role for the Gamecocks this spring, handling Sunday duties and posting a 1.71 ERA over 21 innings, with 32 strikeouts and nine walks. He continued to show impressive control, now with a four-pitch mix. His fastball is average, sitting in the 90-94 mph range and Jordan also throws an above-average slider that can blend into his cutter. Both pitches have above-average potential, though scouts believe his changeup is further behind than his other pitches. Jordan could have raised his stock even more if he had a chance to perform against SEC competition. His toughest opponent was a week three matchup against Clemson when he had his worst outing—five innings, five walks, four strikeouts—but still only allowed one earned run. There are profile questions with Jordan, as some evaluators think he is better suited to a reliever role where his pure stuff could tick up, while others think his history of control should allow him a chance to start. Jordan has an average delivery and a 6-foot-2, 187-pound frame.
• Ranked #467 prospect in 2019 draft
  Jordan is a 6-foot-2 righthander who is a consistent strike-thrower. He has shown good fastball command and been up to 92 mph. He shows a feel for his changeup and flashes an above-average breaking ball. Jordan has signed with South Carolina.