Despite a disappointing end to their 2025 campaign, the Tigers future still shines bright, with a slew of star players returning next season. Most notably Aidan Knaak, the right handed pitcher from Fort Myers, Florida. Despite only being halfway through his collegiate career, Knaak has built one of the most impressive resumes in the history of Clemson baseball.
Out of Bishop Verot Catholic High School, Knaak was the 102nd overall recruit in the nation according to perfect game, and the 26th RHP, earning him a 9.5 PG rating. While many schools expressed interest in the star, his only official offer came from Clemson.
Despite an elite high school career, Knaak’s immediate dominance at the collegiate level took the country by storm. As a freshman, Knaak featured a 5-1 record with a 3.35 ERA over 15 starts. He struck out 103 total batters, the most by a freshman in Clemson history. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association dubbed him the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year, joining Seth Beer as the second Tiger to ever earn the award. He was a first team freshman All-American, and a member of the All-ACC team.
Knaak obliterated already lofty expectations in his sophomore campaign, boasting a 9-1 record with a 4.18 ERA through 16 starts. He became the first player in the country to reach 100 strikeouts, and finished the season with an incredible 110. He earned four total ACC pitcher of the Week Awards, and played a key role in Clemons no hitter against Pitt, and the Tigers impressive seventeen game win streak.
The rising Junior is projected to be a 3rd to 6th round pick in the 2026 MLB draft (if he were to declare) and projects as a high floor 3rd or 4th pitcher on an MLB rotation. With that said, Aidan has a Knaak for exceeding expectations, and one could see the star improve on his already historic legacy throughout his next season at Clemson.
