June 6, 2008

Columbia, S.C. - South Carolina senior catcher Phil Disher has been selected in the 15th round of the 2008 MLB Draft on Friday afternoon. The Houston Astros selected Disher as the No. 452 overall pick. Disher is a two-time All-SEC selection including this past season as a senior. Disher finished with a .297 batting average as well as 19 HR and 57 RBI.

A four-year letterwinner with the Gamecock Baseball program, Disher came on late in his sophomore year and never looked back finishing his career with 42 career homers, tied for seventh on the USC Career list. Disher was twice named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament team in 2005 in Charlottesville, Va. and 2006 in Columbia. His three home runs in the 2005 NCAA Regional helped him earn Regional MVP honors as the Gamecocks advanced to the NCAA Super Regional.

Disher was one of four players this past year to play in all 63 games for the Garnet & Black. He was a third team All-America selection as a junior 2007 at designated hitter.

Disher is the fifth Gamecock player to be selected in the 2008 MLB Draft. On day one, Justin Smoak and Reese Havens were selected in the first round by the Texas Rangers and New York Mets respectively with James Darnell going in the second round to the San Diego Padres. Will Atwood was the first player selected on day two as he went in the 12th round to the Washington Nationals.