USC Baseball retains Grant Govel, rejecting Pirates draft selection
Govel follows 2026 All-American campaign by staying with Trojans, setting up a potential duo with Andrew Johnson for 2027.
Grant Govel has announced he will return to the University of Southern California (USC) for the 2027 baseball season, declining a signing opportunity with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision follows the 16th-round selection of Govel in the MLB Draft, with the pitcher confirming on Monday that he will forgo professional entry to pursue his junior year with the Trojans.
The retention of Govel comes after a column by Trojans Wire argued that the university needed to pay up to keep the star pitcher. According to the report, USC baseball heeded that advice, resulting in Govel’s decision to remain in Los Angeles rather than sign with Pittsburgh.
Govel concluded the 2026 campaign with a 10-3 record and a 2.87 earned run average. His performance during that season earned him second-team All-American honours, establishing him as a key asset for the programme. His return is viewed by observers as a significant strengthening of the USC pitching staff.
The move addresses a gap left by the departure of first-team All-American Mason Edwards, who signed with the Oakland Athletics as a second-round draft pick. With Edwards gone, Govel is expected to take over as the team’s ace for the upcoming season.
USC aims to pair Govel with returning pitcher Andrew Johnson, an NCAA Tournament hero, to form one of the country’s top pitching duos in 2027. The Trojans hope this combination will restore their competitive standing on the mound next season.
