CLEMSON — No one wants to win as badly as Clemson’s Cam Cannarella.
That drive has helped Cannarella become one of the top prospects in this summer’s MLB Draft.
“I never want to lose,” Cannarella said. “I hate losing. You see that on the field. I feel like competing and playing with fire is my passion.”
As a freshman with the Tigers, Cannarella quickly became one of the best players in the country, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors and making countless All-American lists.
Cannarella only added to his legacy as a sophomore. Despite playing most of the season with a torn labrum, he still hit .337 with 11 home runs and 60 RBI. His 29 multi-hit games led the team.
After having his labrum repaired last summer, Cannarella was limited during fall ball. However, the Tigers’ star outfielder is expected to be fully healthy when Clemson opens the season in Arlington against Arizona on Feb. 14.
In each of his first two years at Clemson, Cannarella has experienced heartbreaking postseason losses that abruptly ended the Tigers’ season. In 2023, it was Tennessee eliminating Clemson in the regional round in extra innings.
Last year it was Florida. Cannarella watched as the Gators celebrated a walk-off win in extra innings on the field at Doug Kingsmore. It was another dagger that ended the Tigers’ season prematurely.
“Last year’s team, we were really tight,” Cannarella said. “We wanted to make it to Omaha, but we got cut short a little bit. I feel like this year we got the right guys and the right team to go.
As the Tigers get set to get the 2025 campaign underway, Cannarella is using the heartbreak of those early exits as fuel and expectations are as high as they’ve been in quite some time.
“You can’t really look at what the outside world has to say,” said Cannarella. “Lock in every day and make sure all your teammates are locked in. You just can’t worry about the outside noise.”
Nobody expects more of Cannarella than he does and now that he is a junior, he is one of the unquestioned leaders in that dugout.
“This year is going to be special I think,” he said.
As he enters what is expected to be his final season wearing the Orange and Purple, Cannarella wants to help guide the Tigers back to Omaha for the first time since 2010.
A season ago, they were close. So close they could taste it. Before his collegiate career wraps up, Cannarella wants to experience playing in the College World Series and is determined to lead the Tigers back to the promised land.
“We want to go to Omaha and win in Omaha.”
“Let’s just do it. Why not?”