The Clemson baseball team will keep their eyes on Omaha for the 2025 campaign, as they attempt to improve on the results of their 44-16 season last year. The 2024 season saw some notable achievements, as the Tigers won their first regional since 2010, and won the ACC Atlantic Division. According to D1 Baseball, the Tigers will begin the year ranked No. 15.
The 2025 campaign will be headlined by star player Cam Cannarella, who will enter the season as a top-10 prospect in collegiate baseball. Cannarella has been known throughout his Clemson career for his late inning heroics and clutch ability.
The third-year player suffered a torn labrum early in the 2024 season, an injury which he didn’t let stop him from being on the field through the duration of the Tiger’s playoff run. He underwent surgery to repair the damage done to his throwing arm in July. His ability to play through the injury for nearly an entire season speaks to his competitive nature.
Some of Cannarella’s most notable plays come from Game 2 of the Clemson Super Regional against Florida. The star outfielder hit a clutch game-tying home run in the 9th and saved the game once more in the 10th with an over-the-shoulder Willie Mayes style catch.
The Tigers pitching staff will be led by veteran arms Aidan Knaack and Ethan Darden. Knaack will begin the 2025 campaign as an ace after being awarded the National Freshman Pitcher of the year award last season.
The right-hander’s fastball and changeup combo led him to a 5-1 record and a 3.35 ERA in his freshman campaign. He was ultimately named a first-team All American. The sophomore will look to build on his freshman performance.
Left-handed pitcher Darden will also likely play an important role in the Tigers pitching staff and starting rotation. Last season, the starter had a 5-5 record with a 5.13 ERA. Darden utilizes a wipeout slider as his most effective pitch of his arsenal.
Clemson baseball head coach Erik Bakich was busy in the transfer portal this offseason as he worked to improve the roster for another playoff run. Notable position player additions included catcher/infielder Luke Gaffney from Purdue, outfielder Dominic Listi from Indiana State, and infielders Collin Priest from Michigan and Josh Paino from Cal.
Gaffney, Listi, and Priest are all known for their elite ability to get on base, as they had a .449, .464 and .443 on-base percentage respectively. They will each likely be thrusted into important roles in their first season with the Tigers.
In terms of pitching, Bakich added Michael Gillen from Seton Hall, Luke Kissenberth from the Citadel and Hudson Lee from Wake Forest. Each of these three pitchers could help to play an important role out of the bullpen in 2025. Gillen logged the best numbers of the three, as he pitched to a 2.31 ERA in over 18 appearances last season.
Clemson will be forced to begin their season without Bakich or assistant coach Jack Leggett for the first two games of the season. This is because of their ejections and ultimately suspensions for the confusion that ensued after Alden Mathes’s go-ahead homer in the Clemson Super Regional finale.
The Tigers will be tested early on, as their first 3 games of the season will take place in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Clemson will start the event on February 14th, at 12 p.m., when they take on No. 17 Oklahoma State. The Tigers will continue the event by facing No. 21 Arizona on February 15th at 12 p.m., and Ole Miss on February 16th at 3:30 p.m.
