By Trey McCurry.
The 2015 season gets underway on Friday as Clemson hopes to make another run to Omaha. Today we look at five big questions heading into the season and make three bold predictions.
Q: Where does the power come from?
A: When people say power, everyone automatically thinks home runs. However, teams can still be high scoring and fun to watch without the long ball. In 2014, Clemson hit only 28 homers (0.46 per game) but still managed to average 5.5 runs per game and we expect a slight bump in both those categories with the new NCAA ball. The Tigers (as almost always under Head Coach Jack Leggett) will continue to be a “small-ball” team that looks to put balls in the gaps, be aggressive on the base paths, moves runners with sacrifices, and looks to hit-and-run.
Clemson returns 12 of their 28 homers from 2014, with Chris Okey having four homers and Tyler Slaton hitting three (Tyler Krieger and Weston Wilson each had two homers, while Steven Duggar had one). The Tigers will need each of these players to step up their numbers while redshirt sophomore Andrew Cox and redshirt freshman Glenn Batson could also provide some pop at the plate.
Q: Who will be the third starter?
A: With Matthew Crownover and Zach Erwin anchoring the weekend rotation, a major question for the pitching staff is who will fill the third starting spot on weekends? Several players could fill the role, but we expect junior righty Brody Koerner to fill the role on opening weekend. Koerner saw limited action last season, but has had a tremendous offseason and is someone the Tigers will count on in 2015.
Other pitchers that could also be considered on the weekend are redshirt senior Jake Long (3-3, 5.30 ERA in 16 appearances with 12 starts in 2014) or junior Clate Schmidt (5-7, 3.68 ERA in 20 appearances with eight starts in 2014).
Q: How does the outfield shape up?
A: Steven Duggar and Tyler Slaton return to their familiar spots in right field and centerfield respectively, but the big question in the outfield is who plays left field. Expect to see several players get a shot at the position with freshman Drew Wharton facing lefty pitchers while either redshirt freshman Reed Rohlman or redshirt junior Mike Triller are expected to start against right-handers.
Wharton is a highly regarded prospect out of Suwanee, GA while Rohlman had a strong summer and fall at the plate. Triller hit .250 in 21 games (four starts) in 2014.
Q: How will the infield shape up?
A: With Krieger still working his way back from injury, the infield you see on opening weekend may not be the everyday infield by mid-season. Cox, who hit .150 in 31 games (nine starts) in 2014, will be the starter at first base while Wilson, .240 in 55 games (51 starts) in 2014, and returns to hold down third base. Sophomore Eli White will play shortstop until Krieger returns to full health and freshman Chase Pinder will get the start at second base.
Krieger could likely return to the lineup at second before eventually switching spots with White later in the season. A name to keep an eye on in the infield is redshirt freshman Glenn Batson, a versatile player that can play both corner spots and has also spent some time at second base.
Q: What about the bullpen?
A: With 22 players listed as pitchers on the roster, the bullpen should have some depth in 2015 with 15 righties and seven lefties that could see action.
Returners Koerner, Long, and Schmidt will be joined by Drew Moyer to anchor the bullpen while Patrick Andrews, Clay Bates, and Kevin Pohle will ease into action coming off injuries. Freshmen righties Paul Campbell and Mike Goren join lefty newcomers Pat Krall, Alex Schnell, and Hunter Van Horn as players to keep an eye on throughout the season.
Three bold predictions:
1) The Tigers will not suffer a three-game weekend sweep in 2015.
2) Clemson will host a regional the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
3) The Tigers will win the regular-season series against South Carolina for the first time since 2010.