CLEMSON – The No. 19 Clemson Tigers brought in 18 new players – seven transfers and 11 freshmen – ahead of the 2026 baseball season. 

After losing former All-American center fielder Cam Cannarella, shortstop Andrew Ciufo, right-handed pitcher Reed Garris, and, Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist, Lucas Mahlstedt, head coach Erik Bakich and the Tigers had some major holes to fill in the offseason. 

In a meeting with the media ahead of Clemson’s opening game on Feb. 13, Bakich, senior catcher Jacob Jarrell and pitcher Drew Titsworth shared their impressions of the freshmen class and new transfers.

Bakich started by acknowledging the importance of adding firepower and stability.

“(The transfers have) some explosiveness, some depth, some pretty good offensive weapons, some stability defensively,” he said. “I thought we, between Nick Schnabel, Jimmy Belanger, Griffin Mazur, our staff, I thought we filled the holes we were trying to fill and plugged the gaps we needed to plug.

“We shouldn’t have any issues from a talent standpoint. It’s just going to be execution and staying healthy.”

Ty Dalley

One of Clemson’s most notable additions is senior outfielder Ty Dalley, a former Mercer Bear. In three seasons at Mercer, Dalley held a .291 batting average and smashed 58 total home runs in 174 starts.

Dalley already made an early impression in Doug Kingsmore this fall when he launched his first unofficial home run for the Tigers while donning a fireman’s hat and flaming bat against the Savannah Bananas. 

“I think that event gave him an opportunity to really showcase who he is, and that’s what you guys don’t see as much is that he’s a team-first guy,” Titsworth said. “He’s high energy, he’s a great locker room guy. So, I think that not only his ability to smash the ball, but his ability to bring the team together is very special.”

While Dalley led Mercer in home runs his sophomore and junior years, he also struck out 151 times in 674 at-bats in his career. At Clemson, Bakich said pitch selection has been a focus for the 2023 Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American.

“As advertised, his superpower is also what was his perceived weakness,” Bakich said. “He just is super aggressive. So, I love the aggression. He’s never seen a pitch that he didn’t want to swing at.

“Where Ty’s made a big adjustment is being able to lay off the pitches outside of the box or outside of  maybe pitches that he can do damage with. So, I love the aggression. I love the way he plays.”

Nate Savoie

The Tigers also added sophomore catcher Nate Savoie, who was named a member of the Freshman All-American team last season after hitting 20 home runs for Loyola Marymount University while maintaining a .976 fielding percentage.

The Tigers initially signed Savoie anticipating Jarrell’s departure after the MLB Draft, but with Jarrell returning for his senior season, Savoie provides extra power and depth behind the plate. 

“To have two really good catchers and Nate’s ability to also play outfield and DH certainly gives us another big offensive weapon,” Bakich said.

Savoie’s presence could also help manage Jarrell’s workload (and his knees).

“He hits 20 home runs, so he’s definitely going to help us with power,” Jarrell said. “I think that’ll be a big help. And, obviously, he’ll help with catching. And then all-around depth in general.”

Freshmen Pitchers

Clemson’s 2026 roster features eight pitchers – five right-handers and three lefties – from seven different states. For Titsworth, Danny Nelson, a 6-foot-1 righty, has stood out.

“I think Danny Nelson is going to be a great dude for us,” the junior said. “No matter what that role is going to be for him, I think he could do anything honestly.”

Jarrell added that Nelson, the No. 9 right-hander from Pennsylvania in the 2025 class, will be “a big piece for us” this season.

In a scrimmage against Alabama last fall, Nelson notched a strikeout that featured a 95 mph fastball, allowed one hit and one walk, and induced weak contact to end the inning. Two weeks earlier in an all-Clemson scrimmage, Nelson retired all six hitters he faced and struck out two.

Another freshman who impressed Titsworth in the fall is Dan Margolies, a lefty from Cheshire, Conn. Clemson fans might already know the 6-foot-1 hurler as the closer that secured a win over the Bananas with two clutch outs in the ninth inning.

Before he sliced Bananas, Margolies was rated as the No. 20 lefty in the 2025 high school class.

“(Margolies) is just a stud,” Titsworth said. “He just goes out there and he’s gonna compete, he’s gonna get outs and he’s just going to do whatever it takes.”

Freshmen Hitters

While the freshmen class is pitcher-heavy, Bakich noted the young hitters’ talents as well.

“The freshmen class is good,” Clemson’s head coach said. “It’s balanced – good pitchers, good hitters. The freshman hitter that has stood out in the fall is Jason Fultz. Of all the freshmen hitters, he was the most advanced in terms of power, bat-to-ball skills, being a good hitter like he could really impact the ball.”

Fultz batted fifth against Alabama as an extra hitter, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk, a double and a single advanced to second on an error. He also saw time at third base during fall scrimmages.

Fultz was previously ranked as the No. 6 high school third baseman in the country by Perfect Game and the best in Pennsylvania. 

Dane Moehler

While Bakich and Co. commented on many newcomers, they also discussed redshirt freshman pitcher Dane Moehler, who underwent Tommy John surgery at the beginning of last season. Before his injury, Moehler – the son of former MLB veteran Brian Moehler – was poised to contribute immediately.

Now, the plan is to ease the Marietta, Ga., native back into action beginning in March.

“He is progressing,” Bakich said. “He’ll probably be on the Talan Bell plan of last year where he maybe makes an appearance, makes his debut in March and then it’s controlled outings and he progresses as the season goes.”

Jarrell added that Moehler’s return and other freshmen talents made fall scrimmages especially competitive.

“Dane Mohler, I mean, son of a former big-leager, I think he’s going to really help us,” he said. “We’re pretty deep on freshmen arms, and that’s fun because when we scrimmage, it’s hard.”

“I mean, these guys are really good,” he added with a smile.

Final Thoughts

With almost 30 percent of Clemson’s team less than a year removed from high school, and almost half of the team new to the Upstate of South Carolina, the Tigers boast a relatively young and fresh look.

Clemson fans can get their first look at the new-look Tigers on Feb. 13, when Clemson hosts Army at Doug Kingsmore Stadium for a season-opening Military Appreciation game. It is the first game of a three-game series against the Black Knights.