On Thursday afternoon Monte Lee was officially named the new head coach of the Clemson baseball team. Though it will be a joyful day as “The Clemson Family” begins a new era for its oldest and one of its more revered sports programs, it’s also the beginning of an era where a lot of challenges lay in the way of Lee and his staff.
Let’s face it the program is not what it used to be. It has slipped some, especially from a national perspective. That’s why athletic director Dan Radakovich decided not retain Hall of Fame head coach Jack Leggett on June 4.
Lee inherits a program that is losing its entire weekend rotation. Day 3 pitcher, Jake Long has graduated, while juniors Matthew Crownover—the ACC Pitcher of the Year—and Zack Erwin were both drafted and signed professional contracts.
Also gone is two of the team’s best hitters—and team leaders—Tyler Krieger and Steven Duggar. They too were selected in last week’s MLB Draft and both have already announced they will sign professional contracts. Centerfielder Tyler Slaton, a senior, is also gone.
Losing those six players will be some serious holes to fill for Lee and his staff.
There is some good news for the new staff. All-American catcher Chris Okey is scheduled to be back after he caught every game in 2015, while still hitting .315 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs.
Leading hitter Reed Rohlman is also back. The redshirt freshman, who played left field, batted .356, drove in a team-high 58 runs and had three home runs. He also batted over .400 with runners in scoring position.
Designated hitter Robert Jolly and his .351 batting average also returns as does freshman second baseman Chase Pinder, who will be coming back from a shoulder injury, and sophomore infielders Eli White (shortstop) and Weston Wilson (third base). White was selected in the 37th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he is expected to return for his junior campaign.
Though the bullpen was shaky in 2015, it was without two main pieces that were lost to season-ending injuries. Righty Patrick Andrews will be back after missing the whole season with an injury.
Also back is Drew Moyer. The sophomore pitched in just 10 games in 2015 and had a 1.74 ERA before being injured. Both guys were expected to help with the Tigers’ closing situation, but it never came to be.
The bullpen also brings back experience in Charlie Barnes, Taylor Vetzel and Pat Krall. All three turned the corner late in the season and became valuable assets.
There are still a few question marks in regards to returning players. Pitcher Brody Koerner, a junior, was drafted in the 17th round by the New York Yankees despite a very inconsistent season. Righty Clate Schmidt was taken by the Red Sox in the 32nd round, but going pro is not his concern. He was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month and actually began his chemo treatments the same day in which the Red Sox drafted him.
Granted Lee’s staff will have to improve upon the Tigers’ fielding percentage, which was a dismal .959, which included ACC-high 95 errors. But a top 11 recruiting class, which will lose a few players to the professional ranks, plus those returning players mentioned above, as well as a couple of new recruiting advantages—including the new baseball facility—means the cupboard isn’t completely bare.
Lee and his staff will face some tough challenges in building Clemson back into a national power. But the good news is, and though it may not happen right away, there are some pieces in place to help get the Tigers there sooner rather than later.