After a stellar 44-16 campaign by Clemson baseball in 2024 that saw them capture the ACC Atlantic Division crown and a regional title, the Clemson Tigers will enter the 2025 college baseball season with high expectations. And if the preseason prognosticators are to be believed, those expectations are more than justified.
Perfect Game released their preseason Top 25 this week, slotting Clemson in at #8 in the nation. It’s a lofty perch and one that’s sure to grab plenty of headlines. But for a Tigers program with championship aspirations, it’s merely a stepping stone, not the end goal.
This is a roster that has the talent to compete with any team in the country. It starts with two bonafide superstars in outfielder Cam Cannarella and ace Aidan Knaak, both of whom earned All-American honors in 2024. Cannarella is a five-tool dynamo who can impact the game with his bat, glove, and legs. Knaak showcased electric stuff as a freshman and should only get better as he physically matures.
Those two may be the headliners, but this Clemson squad is stacked with proven contributors up and down the lineup and throughout the pitching staff. Head Coach Erik Bakich, entering his third year at the helm, has also deftly utilized the transfer portal to fill roster needs and bolster depth. The pieces are in place for Bakich to lead the Tigers on another deep postseason run.
Pundits may point to perennial powers like Texas A&M and LSU ranked ahead of Clemson, or fellow ACC rivals like Virginia and Florida State also in the Top 10. But the Tigers belong squarely in that national championship conversation based on last year’s results and the immense potential of this 2025 team.
Make no mistake, a preseason #8 ranking means the Tigers will get every opponent’s best shot. Expectations in Clemson are sky-high. But this is a program and a roster built to thrive under that pressure. Don’t be surprised if these Tigers are the ones left standing on college baseball’s biggest stage come June.
For Clemson, the preseason accolades are appreciated, but not satisfying. The mission is to finish the job and bring home a national title. The road to Omaha starts in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, Texas where they will play 3 games versus Oklahoma State, Arizona, and Ole Miss.
