Clemson is entering year three under head coach Erik Bakich and what a job he has done for the program. In each of Bakich’s first two seasons, the Tigers seemed destined to make the trip to Omaha but were derailed by red hot SEC teams in both instances. The 2024 team went 44-16 on the season and earned the #6 National Seed. They were ACC regular season co-champions with North Carolina after going 20-10 in conference play. Clemson swept through their Regional before running into the Florida Gators in a classic Super Regional series.
The Tigers bring in a number of impact transfers and a highly ranked recruiting class. And they still have potential Top 10 MLB draft pick Cam Cannarella roaming center field. As good as the previous two iterations of this team were, the 2025 group might be even more talented. It’s going to be Omaha or bust for Clemson this spring.
Catchers (Starter Rank: 8, Group Rank: 2)
The Tigers have the luxury of rostering two premium bats at the catching position in Jacob Jarrell and Luke Gaffney. While Jarrell will likely get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate, Purdue transfer Gaffney will find plenty of at-bats and serve as a focal piece in the Clemson lineup. Jarrell was a team co-captain as a sophomore while splitting time at catcher with Jimmy Obertop. He slashed .289/.342/.526 in 97 at-bats and seems poised for a breakout with more playing time in 2025. Gaffney is the reigning Big 10 Freshman of the Year after hitting .359 with 15 doubles, three triples, and 13 home runs for the Boilermakers last season. The Kentucky native doesn’t have the defensive chops that Jarrell does, but is capable of spelling Jarrell if needed.
Clemson has a trio of young catchers waiting in the wings in Ty Marshall, Hideki Prather, and Steele Burd. Sophomore Marshall could be the first one to get playing time if needed, though true freshman Burd is athletic enough to provide depth in the outfield.
Infield (Starter Rank: 3, Group Rank: 2)
While Gaffney may very well earn the first base job, Michigan transfer Collin Priest was a player that really impressed me when I visited the Tigers in the fall. At 6’3”, 245 pounds, the Mount Dora, Florida native stood out in batting practice as he launched ball after ball at a 100+ MPH exit velocity. In the intrasquad scrimmage itself, Priest launched a ball 439 feet at 112 MPH to right center field for a home run. The former All-Big Ten Freshmen selection is poised for a massive season after slashing .279/.445/.578 with 22 extra base hits over his lone season in Ann Arbor. Whether it's Gaffney or Priest at first base, expect the other to be in the lineup at DH.
Jarren Purify returns at second base after a first year campaign that saw him play in 54 games. He’ll likely retain both his position in the field and in the lineup as he looks to take a step forward offensively in his second collegiate season. He’ll be backed up by fellow sophomore Tryston McCladdie, who enjoyed a phenomenal summer playing for the Martha Vineyard’s Sharks in the New England Collegiate League. McCladdie boasted a .954 OPS over 25 games and stole 20 bases. If Purify struggles offensively, McCladdie could get a chance for increased playing time after just 17 at bats a year ago.
Clemson has two exceptional defensive shortstops in Andrew Ciufo and Josh Paino. Sixth year Ciufo returns after breaking his leg in March last season, but could move to third base with the addition of Paino. Ciufo hit .280 with 5 extra base hits in 93 at bats last year. His most memorable moment came early in the season against archrival South Carolina when he launched a 2-0 pitch over the center field wall in the bottom of the 12th inning to walk it off. Paino is a graduate transfer coming east from Cal Baptist where he shined both offensively and defensively. The California native hit .296 last year while amassing 31 extra base hits.
Redshirt sophomore Jay Dillard had an amazing fall and could be a darkhorse for playing time at third base, while true freshman Josh Castellini is an athletic, physical specimen that had a great fall. His star potential could force his bat into the lineup as well. My gut tells me that the opening day infield will consist of Priest, Purify, Paino, and Ciufo with Gaffney at DH.
Outfield (Starter Rank: 2, Group Rank: 2)
Clemson returns three starting caliber outfielders in Cam Cannarella, Tristan Bissetta, and Jack Crighton. Junior center fielder Cam Cannarella is one of the best players in the country. In 58 games last year– playing most of those games with a shoulder injury– and hit .337 with 16 doubles, three triples, and 11 home runs. After having shoulder surgery over the summer, Cannarella is poised to be an ACC Player of the Year contender. The potential Top 10 pick will anchor a deep lineup and star as Clemson’s most game changing player.
Tristan Bissetta emerged as a breakout sophomore in 2024 after slashing .298/.401/.511 with a .912 OPS. Bissetta possesses massive power to all fields from the left side of the plate. He impressed over the summer playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod League. He only played in 16 games but boasted a 1.024 OPS. Bissetta will be competing for an outfield spot with fellow junior Jack Crighton. Crighton has been a key piece off the bench for the Tigers in each of his first two seasons. The Michigan native is a natural outfielder but started 21 games at first base in 2024. He enjoyed a fantastic sophomore campaign that saw him hit .313 with seven doubles and a triple. He doesn’t have the pop that Bissetta has, but is a valuable depth piece that should see him get plenty of playing time in matchup situations.
With Cannarella in center field and Bissetta occupying one of the corner outfield spots, transfer Dom Listi is expected to start in the third outfield position. Listi is a prime candidate to lead off for the Tigers with his mature plate approach and ability to get on base. The former Indiana State Sycamore hit .324 last season while walking nearly as many times as he struck out (34 BB vs 35 K). List was also hit by 25 pitches which is the most by any player set to play in the ACC this spring.
Clemson showcases a number of impressive freshmen that could see action as two-way players. TP Wentworth and Anthony Wilkie are capable of playing the outfield and taking the mound. Wentworth is the more ready offensively of the two and was ranked the #106 best player to make it to campus by Perfect Game. He’s 6’5”, 230 pounds and really impressed with his explosive bat in the fall. In late October I was able to see him drill a 109 MPH laser to right center field for a double. He’s athletic and fast enough to be their center fielder of the future and could play for pushing time despite a crowded outfield.
When I visited Clemson in the fall, Anthony Wilkie was listed as a pitcher only. He caught my attention with a tremendous display of power in batting practice. Wilkie is built almost identical to Wentworth but from the right side rather than the left. Every batted ball he mashed in BP was above 105 MPH. In the scrimmage itself, Wilkie played right field and went 2-for-3 with a 106 MPH home run well over the center field wall. His clutch single in his next at bat also drove in two RBIs. He’s listed as a first baseman and will likely see more time as a pitcher, but the bat plays.
Projected Lineup
Rotation (Rank: 3)
Clemson returns two of their weekend starters in sophomore Aidan Knaak and junior Ethan Darden. Knaak was Clemson’s best pitcher as a freshman after getting the nod for the weekend rotation right out of the gate. In 15 starts, the right-hander went 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA over 83.1 innings pitched. Knaak accumulated 108 strikeouts to just 29 walks. Several reports suggest that Knaak has improved his curveball and added another secondary pitch to complement his lethal fastball/changeup combo. I would be surprised if Knaak didn’t take another step forward into becoming one of the best pitchers in the country.
Darden is a lefty who has made 23 career starts for Clemson over his first two years. In both seasons, the Rock Hill, South Carolina native started the season in the bullpen but ended up as a stabilizing force in the weekend rotation. Darden’s fastball only averages in the high 80s, but the junior features a great changeup and above-average command that allows him to be effective at that velocity. He also possesses a solid curveball with a 12-to-6 vertical break.
There are a number of options for third spot in the weekend rotation, but the favorite appears to be Michael Gillen. The Seton Hall transfer was stretched out in the fall and looked comfortable in the new potential new role. Seeing him pitch in person, the first weapon that stood out to me was the heat on his fastball. While he sat in the mid-90s, there were a few pitches that topped 97 MPH. He has the toolset and ability to potentially even earn the Saturday role over Darden.
Another option for the rotation who could end up as the midweek starter is redshirt-sophomore Noah Samol, whose pure stuff has superstar potential. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket missed all of 2024 with injury before finally earning a chance to throw a few live innings over the summer in the Cape. The 6’7”, 220 pound lefty features a low 90s fastball and two breaking balls. Don’t be surprised if his velocity ends up in the mid-90s before too long. If he can harness his command, Samol will be an elite pitcher.
Other options for the rotation include Justin LeGuernic and Jacob McGovern. Ultimately I believe they’ll be key bullpen pieces.
Bullpen (Rank: 4)
The Clemson bullpen will be anchored by two right-handed relief aces in Lucas Mahlstedt and Drew Titsworth. Mahlstedt is senior submariner who excelled for the Tigers last year in a similar role. Sophomore Titsworth will take over the closer role after a debut season that saw him go 4-0 with a 3.15 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.
If Jacob McGovern joins Mahlstedt and Titsworth in the bullpen, the Tigers will have a legitimate argument to be one of the conference’s best three-headed monsters. McGovern was quietly dominant in his freshman season as a reliever, going 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 18.1 innings. Like Darden, McGovern’s fastball sits in the high 80s and relies on fantastic command to be effective.
Justin LeGuarnic, Reed Garris, and Joe Allen are three more returning arms that could be used in key situations this year. Garris and Allen are two right-handed pitchers who each threw over 20 innings last year. LaGuernic is a left-handed sophomore who has shown glimmers of major upside, but struggled with control. If he shows signs of consistency, he’ll earn an opportunity to start or appear in high-leverage situations.
Transfer Luke Kissenworth comes over from The Citadel and could see improvement in his stuff under the tutelage of pitching coach Jimmy Belanger. Another transfer, Hudson Lee, comes over from Wake Forest after spending much of his first two years in college injured. A lower arm slot has proved to be a difference maker for the southpaw. He stood out in a fall intrasquad scrimmage after tossing two scoreless innings while flashing a low 90s fastball, a good change, and a tight slider.
Veterans Casey Tallent and BJ Bailey provide depth after missing all of 2024 due to injuries. Freshmen Dane Moehler and Talon Bell are the most likely freshmen arms to see action, with the former potentially getting a chance to start games. Finally, junior Nathan Dvorsky has emerged as a potential key arm despite throwing just 3.2 innings in 2024. The right-hander provides another low-to-mid 90s arm with quality secondary pitches.
Projected Staff
Outlook
Clemson’s roster is loaded with the talent and ability to win a National Championship. A healthy Cam Cannarella leads a deep lineup that’s as good as any in the conference while Aidan Knaak is a bonafide ace. If the bullpen led by Mahlsted and Titsworth can reach its potential, there’s no reason that Clemson can’t make it to Omaha and compete for college baseball’s highest achievement. They’ll be tested right away in the Shriner’s College Showdown where they’ll play Top 25 teams in Oklahoma State and Arizona. Their ACC schedule is favorable as they avoid Virginia and UNC while getting Duke and Stanford at home. Expect Clemson to punch its ticket to Omaha in 2025. Clemson is entering year three under head coach Erik Bakich and what a job he has done for the program. In each of Bakich’s first two seasons, the Tigers seemed destined to make the trip to Omaha but were derailed by red hot SEC teams in both instances. The 2024 team went 44-16 on the season and earned the #6 National Seed. They were ACC regular season co-champions with North Carolina after going 20-10 in conference play. Clemson swept through their Regional before running into the Florida Gators in a classic Super Regional series.
The Tigers bring in a number of impact transfers and a highly ranked recruiting class. And they still have potential Top 10 MLB draft pick Cam Cannarella roaming center field. As good as the previous two iterations of this team were, the 2025 group might be even more talented. It’s going to be Omaha or bust for Clemson this spring.
Catchers (Starter Rank: 8, Group Rank: 2)
The Tigers have the luxury of rostering two premium bats at the catching position in Jacob Jarrell and Luke Gaffney. While Jarrell will likely get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate, Purdue transfer Gaffney will find plenty of at-bats and serve as a focal piece in the Clemson lineup. Jarrell was a team co-captain as a sophomore while splitting time at catcher with Jimmy Obertop. He slashed .289/.342/.526 in 97 at-bats and seems poised for a breakout with more playing time in 2025. Gaffney is the reigning Big 10 Freshman of the Year after hitting .359 with 15 doubles, three triples, and 13 home runs for the Boilermakers last season. The Kentucky native doesn’t have the defensive chops that Jarrell does, but is capable of spelling Jarrell if needed.
Clemson has a trio of young catchers waiting in the wings in Ty Marshall, Hideki Prather, and Steele Burd. Sophomore Marshall could be the first one to get playing time if needed, though true freshman Burd is athletic enough to provide depth in the outfield.
Infield (Starter Rank: 3, Group Rank: 2)
While Gaffney may very well earn the first base job, Michigan transfer Collin Priest was a player that really impressed me when I visited the Tigers in the fall. At 6’3”, 245 pounds, the Mount Dora, Florida native stood out in batting practice as he launched ball after ball at a 100+ MPH exit velocity. In the intrasquad scrimmage itself, Priest launched a ball 439 feet at 112 MPH to right center field for a home run. The former All-Big Ten Freshmen selection is poised for a massive season after slashing .279/.445/.578 with 22 extra base hits over his lone season in Ann Arbor. Whether it's Gaffney or Priest at first base, expect the other to be in the lineup at DH.
Jarren Purify returns at second base after a first year campaign that saw him play in 54 games. He’ll likely retain both his position in the field and in the lineup as he looks to take a step forward offensively in his second collegiate season. He’ll be backed up by fellow sophomore Tryston McCladdie, who enjoyed a phenomenal summer playing for the Martha Vineyard’s Sharks in the New England Collegiate League. McCladdie boasted a .954 OPS over 25 games and stole 20 bases. If Purify struggles offensively, McCladdie could get a chance for increased playing time after just 17 at bats a year ago.
Clemson has two exceptional defensive shortstops in Andrew Ciufo and Josh Paino. Sixth year Ciufo returns after breaking his leg in March last season, but could move to third base with the addition of Paino. Ciufo hit .280 with 5 extra base hits in 93 at bats last year. His most memorable moment came early in the season against archrival South Carolina when he launched a 2-0 pitch over the center field wall in the bottom of the 12th inning to walk it off. Paino is a graduate transfer coming east from Cal Baptist where he shined both offensively and defensively. The California native hit .296 last year while amassing 31 extra base hits.
Redshirt sophomore Jay Dillard had an amazing fall and could be a darkhorse for playing time at third base, while true freshman Josh Castellini is an athletic, physical specimen that had a great fall. His star potential could force his bat into the lineup as well. My gut tells me that the opening day infield will consist of Priest, Purify, Paino, and Ciufo with Gaffney at DH.
Outfield (Starter Rank: 2, Group Rank: 2)
Clemson returns three starting caliber outfielders in Cam Cannarella, Tristan Bissetta, and Jack Crighton. Junior center fielder Cam Cannarella is one of the best players in the country. In 58 games last year– playing most of those games with a shoulder injury– and hit .337 with 16 doubles, three triples, and 11 home runs. After having shoulder surgery over the summer, Cannarella is poised to be an ACC Player of the Year contender. The potential Top 10 pick will anchor a deep lineup and star as Clemson’s most game changing player.
Tristan Bissetta emerged as a breakout sophomore in 2024 after slashing .298/.401/.511 with a .912 OPS. Bissetta possesses massive power to all fields from the left side of the plate. He impressed over the summer playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod League. He only played in 16 games but boasted a 1.024 OPS. Bissetta will be competing for an outfield spot with fellow junior Jack Crighton. Crighton has been a key piece off the bench for the Tigers in each of his first two seasons. The Michigan native is a natural outfielder but started 21 games at first base in 2024. He enjoyed a fantastic sophomore campaign that saw him hit .313 with seven doubles and a triple. He doesn’t have the pop that Bissetta has, but is a valuable depth piece that should see him get plenty of playing time in matchup situations.
With Cannarella in center field and Bissetta occupying one of the corner outfield spots, transfer Dom Listi is expected to start in the third outfield position. Listi is a prime candidate to lead off for the Tigers with his mature plate approach and ability to get on base. The former Indiana State Sycamore hit .324 last season while walking nearly as many times as he struck out (34 BB vs 35 K). List was also hit by 25 pitches which is the most by any player set to play in the ACC this spring.
Clemson showcases a number of impressive freshmen that could see action as two-way players. TP Wentworth and Anthony Wilkie are capable of playing the outfield and taking the mound. Wentworth is the more ready offensively of the two and was ranked the #106 best player to make it to campus by Perfect Game. He’s 6’5”, 230 pounds and really impressed with his explosive bat in the fall. In late October I was able to see him drill a 109 MPH laser to right center field for a double. He’s athletic and fast enough to be their center fielder of the future and could play for pushing time despite a crowded outfield.
When I visited Clemson in the fall, Anthony Wilkie was listed as a pitcher only. He caught my attention with a tremendous display of power in batting practice. Wilkie is built almost identical to Wentworth but from the right side rather than the left. Every batted ball he mashed in BP was above 105 MPH. In the scrimmage itself, Wilkie played right field and went 2-for-3 with a 106 MPH home run well over the center field wall. His clutch single in his next at bat also drove in two RBIs. He’s listed as a first baseman and will likely see more time as a pitcher, but the bat plays.
Projected Lineup
Rotation (Rank: 3)
Clemson returns two of their weekend starters in sophomore Aidan Knaak and junior Ethan Darden. Knaak was Clemson’s best pitcher as a freshman after getting the nod for the weekend rotation right out of the gate. In 15 starts, the right-hander went 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA over 83.1 innings pitched. Knaak accumulated 108 strikeouts to just 29 walks. Several reports suggest that Knaak has improved his curveball and added another secondary pitch to complement his lethal fastball/changeup combo. I would be surprised if Knaak didn’t take another step forward into becoming one of the best pitchers in the country.
Darden is a lefty who has made 23 career starts for Clemson over his first two years. In both seasons, the Rock Hill, South Carolina native started the season in the bullpen but ended up as a stabilizing force in the weekend rotation. Darden’s fastball only averages in the high 80s, but the junior features a great changeup and above-average command that allows him to be effective at that velocity. He also possesses a solid curveball with a 12-to-6 vertical break.
There are a number of options for third spot in the weekend rotation, but the favorite appears to be Michael Gillen. The Seton Hall transfer was stretched out in the fall and looked comfortable in the new potential new role. Seeing him pitch in person, the first weapon that stood out to me was the heat on his fastball. While he sat in the mid-90s, there were a few pitches that topped 97 MPH. He has the toolset and ability to potentially even earn the Saturday role over Darden.
Another option for the rotation who could end up as the midweek starter is redshirt-sophomore Noah Samol, whose pure stuff has superstar potential. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket missed all of 2024 with injury before finally earning a chance to throw a few live innings over the summer in the Cape. The 6’7”, 220 pound lefty features a low 90s fastball and two breaking balls. Don’t be surprised if his velocity ends up in the mid-90s before too long. If he can harness his command, Samol will be an elite pitcher.
Other options for the rotation include Justin LeGuernic and Jacob McGovern. Ultimately I believe they’ll be key bullpen pieces.
Bullpen (Rank: 4)
The Clemson bullpen will be anchored by two right-handed relief aces in Lucas Mahlstedt and Drew Titsworth. Mahlstedt is senior submariner who excelled for the Tigers last year in a similar role. Sophomore Titsworth will take over the closer role after a debut season that saw him go 4-0 with a 3.15 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.
If Jacob McGovern joins Mahlstedt and Titsworth in the bullpen, the Tigers will have a legitimate argument to be one of the conference’s best three-headed monsters. McGovern was quietly dominant in his freshman season as a reliever, going 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 18.1 innings. Like Darden, McGovern’s fastball sits in the high 80s and relies on fantastic command to be effective.
Justin LeGuarnic, Reed Garris, and Joe Allen are three more returning arms that could be used in key situations this year. Garris and Allen are two right-handed pitchers who each threw over 20 innings last year. LaGuernic is a left-handed sophomore who has shown glimmers of major upside, but struggled with control. If he shows signs of consistency, he’ll earn an opportunity to start or appear in high-leverage situations.
Transfer Luke Kissenworth comes over from The Citadel and could see improvement in his stuff under the tutelage of pitching coach Jimmy Belanger. Another transfer, Hudson Lee, comes over from Wake Forest after spending much of his first two years in college injured. A lower arm slot has proved to be a difference maker for the southpaw. He stood out in a fall intrasquad scrimmage after tossing two scoreless innings while flashing a low 90s fastball, a good change, and a tight slider.
Veterans Casey Tallent and BJ Bailey provide depth after missing all of 2024 due to injuries. Freshmen Dane Moehler and Talon Bell are the most likely freshmen arms to see action, with the former potentially getting a chance to start games. Finally, junior Nathan Dvorsky has emerged as a potential key arm despite throwing just 3.2 innings in 2024. The right-hander provides another low-to-mid 90s arm with quality secondary pitches.
Projected Staff
Outlook
Clemson’s roster is loaded with the talent and ability to win a National Championship. A healthy Cam Cannarella leads a deep lineup that’s as good as any in the conference while Aidan Knaak is a bonafide ace. If the bullpen led by Mahlsted and Titsworth can reach its potential, there’s no reason that Clemson can’t make it to Omaha and compete for college baseball’s highest achievement. They’ll be tested right away in the Shriner’s College Showdown where they’ll play Top 25 teams in Oklahoma State and Arizona. Their ACC schedule is favorable as they avoid Virginia and UNC while getting Duke and Stanford at home. Expect Clemson to punch its ticket to Omaha in 2025. Clemson is entering year three under head coach Erik Bakich and what a job he has done for the program. In each of Bakich’s first two seasons, the Tigers seemed destined to make the trip to Omaha but were derailed by red hot SEC teams in both instances. The 2024 team went 44-16 on the season and earned the #6 National Seed. They were ACC regular season co-champions with North Carolina after going 20-10 in conference play. Clemson swept through their Regional before running into the Florida Gators in a classic Super Regional series.
The Tigers bring in a number of impact transfers and a highly ranked recruiting class. And they still have potential Top 10 MLB draft pick Cam Cannarella roaming center field. As good as the previous two iterations of this team were, the 2025 group might be even more talented. It’s going to be Omaha or bust for Clemson this spring.
Catchers (Starter Rank: 8, Group Rank: 2)
The Tigers have the luxury of rostering two premium bats at the catching position in Jacob Jarrell and Luke Gaffney. While Jarrell will likely get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate, Purdue transfer Gaffney will find plenty of at-bats and serve as a focal piece in the Clemson lineup. Jarrell was a team co-captain as a sophomore while splitting time at catcher with Jimmy Obertop. He slashed .289/.342/.526 in 97 at-bats and seems poised for a breakout with more playing time in 2025. Gaffney is the reigning Big 10 Freshman of the Year after hitting .359 with 15 doubles, three triples, and 13 home runs for the Boilermakers last season. The Kentucky native doesn’t have the defensive chops that Jarrell does, but is capable of spelling Jarrell if needed.
Clemson has a trio of young catchers waiting in the wings in Ty Marshall, Hideki Prather, and Steele Burd. Sophomore Marshall could be the first one to get playing time if needed, though true freshman Burd is athletic enough to provide depth in the outfield.
Infield (Starter Rank: 3, Group Rank: 2)
While Gaffney may very well earn the first base job, Michigan transfer Collin Priest was a player that really impressed me when I visited the Tigers in the fall. At 6’3”, 245 pounds, the Mount Dora, Florida native stood out in batting practice as he launched ball after ball at a 100+ MPH exit velocity. In the intrasquad scrimmage itself, Priest launched a ball 439 feet at 112 MPH to right center field for a home run. The former All-Big Ten Freshmen selection is poised for a massive season after slashing .279/.445/.578 with 22 extra base hits over his lone season in Ann Arbor. Whether it's Gaffney or Priest at first base, expect the other to be in the lineup at DH.
Jarren Purify returns at second base after a first year campaign that saw him play in 54 games. He’ll likely retain both his position in the field and in the lineup as he looks to take a step forward offensively in his second collegiate season. He’ll be backed up by fellow sophomore Tryston McCladdie, who enjoyed a phenomenal summer playing for the Martha Vineyard’s Sharks in the New England Collegiate League. McCladdie boasted a .954 OPS over 25 games and stole 20 bases. If Purify struggles offensively, McCladdie could get a chance for increased playing time after just 17 at bats a year ago.
Clemson has two exceptional defensive shortstops in Andrew Ciufo and Josh Paino. Sixth year Ciufo returns after breaking his leg in March last season, but could move to third base with the addition of Paino. Ciufo hit .280 with 5 extra base hits in 93 at bats last year. His most memorable moment came early in the season against archrival South Carolina when he launched a 2-0 pitch over the center field wall in the bottom of the 12th inning to walk it off. Paino is a graduate transfer coming east from Cal Baptist where he shined both offensively and defensively. The California native hit .296 last year while amassing 31 extra base hits.
Redshirt sophomore Jay Dillard had an amazing fall and could be a darkhorse for playing time at third base, while true freshman Josh Castellini is an athletic, physical specimen that had a great fall. His star potential could force his bat into the lineup as well. My gut tells me that the opening day infield will consist of Priest, Purify, Paino, and Ciufo with Gaffney at DH.
Outfield (Starter Rank: 2, Group Rank: 2)
Clemson returns three starting caliber outfielders in Cam Cannarella, Tristan Bissetta, and Jack Crighton. Junior center fielder Cam Cannarella is one of the best players in the country. In 58 games last year– playing most of those games with a shoulder injury– and hit .337 with 16 doubles, three triples, and 11 home runs. After having shoulder surgery over the summer, Cannarella is poised to be an ACC Player of the Year contender. The potential Top 10 pick will anchor a deep lineup and star as Clemson’s most game changing player.
Tristan Bissetta emerged as a breakout sophomore in 2024 after slashing .298/.401/.511 with a .912 OPS. Bissetta possesses massive power to all fields from the left side of the plate. He impressed over the summer playing for the Bourne Braves in the Cape Cod League. He only played in 16 games but boasted a 1.024 OPS. Bissetta will be competing for an outfield spot with fellow junior Jack Crighton. Crighton has been a key piece off the bench for the Tigers in each of his first two seasons. The Michigan native is a natural outfielder but started 21 games at first base in 2024. He enjoyed a fantastic sophomore campaign that saw him hit .313 with seven doubles and a triple. He doesn’t have the pop that Bissetta has, but is a valuable depth piece that should see him get plenty of playing time in matchup situations.
With Cannarella in center field and Bissetta occupying one of the corner outfield spots, transfer Dom Listi is expected to start in the third outfield position. Listi is a prime candidate to lead off for the Tigers with his mature plate approach and ability to get on base. The former Indiana State Sycamore hit .324 last season while walking nearly as many times as he struck out (34 BB vs 35 K). List was also hit by 25 pitches which is the most by any player set to play in the ACC this spring.
Clemson showcases a number of impressive freshmen that could see action as two-way players. TP Wentworth and Anthony Wilkie are capable of playing the outfield and taking the mound. Wentworth is the more ready offensively of the two and was ranked the #106 best player to make it to campus by Perfect Game. He’s 6’5”, 230 pounds and really impressed with his explosive bat in the fall. In late October I was able to see him drill a 109 MPH laser to right center field for a double. He’s athletic and fast enough to be their center fielder of the future and could play for pushing time despite a crowded outfield.
When I visited Clemson in the fall, Anthony Wilkie was listed as a pitcher only. He caught my attention with a tremendous display of power in batting practice. Wilkie is built almost identical to Wentworth but from the right side rather than the left. Every batted ball he mashed in BP was above 105 MPH. In the scrimmage itself, Wilkie played right field and went 2-for-3 with a 106 MPH home run well over the center field wall. His clutch single in his next at bat also drove in two RBIs. He’s listed as a first baseman and will likely see more time as a pitcher, but the bat plays.
Projected Lineup
Rotation (Rank: 3)
Clemson returns two of their weekend starters in sophomore Aidan Knaak and junior Ethan Darden. Knaak was Clemson’s best pitcher as a freshman after getting the nod for the weekend rotation right out of the gate. In 15 starts, the right-hander went 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA over 83.1 innings pitched. Knaak accumulated 108 strikeouts to just 29 walks. Several reports suggest that Knaak has improved his curveball and added another secondary pitch to complement his lethal fastball/changeup combo. I would be surprised if Knaak didn’t take another step forward into becoming one of the best pitchers in the country.
Darden is a lefty who has made 23 career starts for Clemson over his first two years. In both seasons, the Rock Hill, South Carolina native started the season in the bullpen but ended up as a stabilizing force in the weekend rotation. Darden’s fastball only averages in the high 80s, but the junior features a great changeup and above-average command that allows him to be effective at that velocity. He also possesses a solid curveball with a 12-to-6 vertical break.
There are a number of options for third spot in the weekend rotation, but the favorite appears to be Michael Gillen. The Seton Hall transfer was stretched out in the fall and looked comfortable in the new potential new role. Seeing him pitch in person, the first weapon that stood out to me was the heat on his fastball. While he sat in the mid-90s, there were a few pitches that topped 97 MPH. He has the toolset and ability to potentially even earn the Saturday role over Darden.
Another option for the rotation who could end up as the midweek starter is redshirt-sophomore Noah Samol, whose pure stuff has superstar potential. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket missed all of 2024 with injury before finally earning a chance to throw a few live innings over the summer in the Cape. The 6’7”, 220 pound lefty features a low 90s fastball and two breaking balls. Don’t be surprised if his velocity ends up in the mid-90s before too long. If he can harness his command, Samol will be an elite pitcher.
Other options for the rotation include Justin LeGuernic and Jacob McGovern. Ultimately I believe they’ll be key bullpen pieces.
Bullpen (Rank: 4)
The Clemson bullpen will be anchored by two right-handed relief aces in Lucas Mahlstedt and Drew Titsworth. Mahlstedt is senior submariner who excelled for the Tigers last year in a similar role. Sophomore Titsworth will take over the closer role after a debut season that saw him go 4-0 with a 3.15 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.
If Jacob McGovern joins Mahlstedt and Titsworth in the bullpen, the Tigers will have a legitimate argument to be one of the conference’s best three-headed monsters. McGovern was quietly dominant in his freshman season as a reliever, going 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 18.1 innings. Like Darden, McGovern’s fastball sits in the high 80s and relies on fantastic command to be effective.
Justin LeGuarnic, Reed Garris, and Joe Allen are three more returning arms that could be used in key situations this year. Garris and Allen are two right-handed pitchers who each threw over 20 innings last year. LaGuernic is a left-handed sophomore who has shown glimmers of major upside, but struggled with control. If he shows signs of consistency, he’ll earn an opportunity to start or appear in high-leverage situations.
Transfer Luke Kissenworth comes over from The Citadel and could see improvement in his stuff under the tutelage of pitching coach Jimmy Belanger. Another transfer, Hudson Lee, comes over from Wake Forest after spending much of his first two years in college injured. A lower arm slot has proved to be a difference maker for the southpaw. He stood out in a fall intrasquad scrimmage after tossing two scoreless innings while flashing a low 90s fastball, a good change, and a tight slider.
Veterans Casey Tallent and BJ Bailey provide depth after missing all of 2024 due to injuries. Freshmen Dane Moehler and Talon Bell are the most likely freshmen arms to see action, with the former potentially getting a chance to start games. Finally, junior Nathan Dvorsky has emerged as a potential key arm despite throwing just 3.2 innings in 2024. The right-hander provides another low-to-mid 90s arm with quality secondary pitches.
Projected Staff
Outlook
Clemson’s roster is loaded with the talent and ability to win a National Championship. A healthy Cam Cannarella leads a deep lineup that’s as good as any in the conference while Aidan Knaak is a bonafide ace. If the bullpen led by Mahlsted and Titsworth can reach its potential, there’s no reason that Clemson can’t make it to Omaha and compete for college baseball’s highest achievement. They’ll be tested right away in the Shriner’s College Showdown where they’ll play Top 25 teams in Oklahoma State and Arizona. Their ACC schedule is favorable as they avoid Virginia and UNC while getting Duke and Stanford at home. Expect Clemson to punch its ticket to Omaha in 2025.
Commentaires