Baseball Preview: Newcomer Overview

In part three of our preseason preview, we take a brief look at the 13 newcomers on the 2016 Clemson baseball squad. Stay tuned to TCI throughout the preseason as we continue breakdown the 2016 roster and 2016 opponents as we lead up to Opening Day on February 19th.

 

#28 Seth Beer                      OF/1B

#2 overall player & #1 OF in the nation by Perfect Game

Two-time Under Armour All-American

Early enrollee who will compete for starting outfield spot

 

#51 Stokes Brownlee            C

North-South All-Star selection in three sports (baseball, basketball, & football)

Region player-of-the-year for both baseball & basketball

Will add depth behind plate and could serve as bullpen catcher

 

#3 Grant Cox                        INF

#1 SS and #4 player in SC by Diamond Prospects

Named All-American by Louisville Slugger & Perfect Game

Suffered injury in fall and could miss entire 2016 season

 

#19 Brooks Crawford            RHP/1B

Georgia AAA state player-of-the-year as a senior

Utility player that will provide depth in 2016

 

#44 Ryley Gilliam                 RHP

#94 ranked freshman in the nation by Perfect Game

Cobb County Pitcher-of-the-Year as a junior

Righty that should be a contributor in 2016

 

#42 Zach Goodman               RHP

Teammate of Ryley Gilliam

Could compete for some innings in 2016

 

#9 Jordan Greene                INF/OF

Versatile player that can play several positions

Should provide depth in the field in 2016

 

#24 Jake Higginbotham        LHP

#58 ranked freshman nationally & #10 ranked freshman in ACC by Perfect Game

Named first-team All-American by Louisville Slugger & USA Today

Lefty that will compete for starting spot and should see significant innings in 2016

 

#39 Jonny Koletic                RHP

Three-sport athlete (baseball, football, & swimming) at Charlotte Catholic

Could compete for some innings in 2016

 

#45 Andrew Papp                 RHP

Conference pitcher-of-the-year & second-team all-region selection as a senior

Honorable mention Underclass All-American by Perfect Game as a junior & senior

Big righty who should provide some quality innings in 2016

 

#31 Andrew Towns               LHP

Spent last two seasons at Walters State Community College

Big lefty that should provide a bullpen boost in 2016

 

#46 Tom Walker                   RHP

Three-time honorable mention all-region selection

Big righty that could provide some depth

 

#27 Chris Williams               C/1B

Spent last season at Golden West College

All-state, conference MVP, & team MVP last season

Should compete for innings and provide depth