Erik Bakich is really high on Clemson’s pitching depth heading into the 2026 baseball season.

A lack of depth has certainly hurt the Tigers, at times, over the first three seasons of Bakich’s tenure. Injuries have absolutely played a part in that, but either way, Bakich and his staff worked extremely hard to add some depth to the staff.

While it’s plainly obvious Aidan Knaak will head up the starting rotation, the Tigers have several options when it comes to filling out the spots behind their ace.

“As everyone would guess, we are planning on Aidan Knaak starting things off on Friday nights for us,” Bakich told The Clemson Insider. “Drew Titsworth, Talan Bell are in the mix. Dane Moehler is coming back from surgery so he will be in the mix when he gets back. Michael Sharman is certainly very capable.”

However, it’s beyond the starting rotation where Bakich feels like the Tigers are really improved. Clemson added Sharman from the portal. Hayden Simmerson and Ariston Veasey were other transfers added to the roster. There are also a handful of freshmen capable of making impacts in their debut seasons. Dan Margolies, Nick Frusco, Danny Nelson and Eston Simpson are all first-year hurlers worth watching this season.

“We feel like we’ve got plenty of guys that can start,” Bakich said. “We just have more depth than we feel like we’ve ever had on the pitching mound. Normally, it’s like, who are the 9-11 guys that are going to get 90% of the innings. This year, we are looking at 18-20 guys that can spread the wealth.”

Having a deeper bullpen means Bakich won’t have to lean on his starters quite as hard, particularly early in the season. The idea is to keep all the arms as fresh as possible, which in turn leads to a more rested staff in April, May and June.

“That is a luxury item from a standpoint where we don’t overextend Aidan Knaak in February and March,” Bakich said. “We can do our best to try and save his bullets for June when we really need him. Just make sure he is peaking, and all of the pitchers are peaking at the end of the season. Having depth on the mound is certainly conducive for not overthrowing guys early.”

Clemson’s season begins on February 13 as the Tigers welcome Army to Doug Kingsmore Stadium for a three-game series.

—Photo by Bart Boatwright/The Clemson Insider