CLEMSON – The Clemson baseball program began its spring training season this weekend in advance of the 2025 season.

The Tigers’ first three games of the new year are in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Arlington, Texas from Feb. 14-16. Clemson will open against Oklahoma State on Feb. 14 and will play Arizona in its second game on Feb. 15 and then Ole Miss in its third game on Feb. 16.

Erik Bakich is in his third season as head coach at Clemson, as he has directed the Tigers to 88 victories, 11th most in the nation during that time.

Clemson was one of only six programs to total 44-plus wins in both 2023 and 2024. Bakich led the Tigers to a regional host season in 2023 and 2024, one of only five schools in the nation that can make the claim. His 68.2 winning percentage against ACC teams since 2023 is highest among ACC members as well.

STRENGTHS:

The Tigers return two 2024 All-Americans, including junior outfielder Cam Cannarella. He is a career-.363 hitter with 18 home runs, 107 RBIs and 24 stolen bases in 117 games. He is the No. 4 college prospect for the 2025 draft in the preseason according to D1Baseball.

Sophomore Aidan Knaak is the other returning All-American. The righthander had one of the best seasons by a Tiger freshman pitcher in history in 2024. He was 5-1 with a 3.35 ERA and 108 strikeouts against 29 walks in 2024. He was named National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by NCBWA.

QUESTION MARKS

Clemson returns just four players in the field. The good news is they have three experienced players in the middle of the defense with Andrew Ciufo returning at shortstop, Jarren Purify back at second base and Cannarella back in centerfield.

Tristan Bissetta is also back to man leftfield.

However, the Tigers have to replace All-American Blake Wright at third base, Jacob Hinderleider at first, Alden Mathes in right field and catcher Jimmy Obertop. Nolan Nawrocki, Clemson’s designated hitter in 2024, has also moved on.

The Tigers will look for consistency in their pitching rotation behind Knaak. Ethan Darden, a lefty, will likely go behind Knaak in the rotation, as he is the only other starter to return on the mound. The Tigers also have question marks, once again, coming out of the bullpen.

TOP NEWCOMERS

Clemson is hopeful top 100 recruit Talan Bell can help the pitching staff this coming season. He is listed by some as one of the best lefthanded pitchers coming out of high school this year.

Purdue transfer Luke Gaffney was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2024, as he should give the Tigers a nice bat in the lineup to compliment Cannarella. Clemson also got outfielder Dominic Listi and infielders Josh Paino and Collin Priest from the portal.

Transfers Michael Gillen (righty), Luke Kissenberth (righty) and lefty Hudson Lee were added to the bullpen from the transfer portal as well.

–Clemson Athletic Communications contributed to this story