Following a strong 2024 season under head coach Erik Bakich that ended after a super regionals appearance, the Clemson baseball team will look to make another run to lift the trophy in Omaha, Nebraska, at the College World Series.
Clemson enters the 2025 season with high expectations and a roster full of key returners, along with some new talent. Bakich’s second season as head coach of the Tigers saw the program capture a regular-season conference title in the loaded ACC and a super regional appearance, marking Clemson’s deepest run in the NCAA Tournament since 2010.
Bakich and the Tigers hope to build on this momentum and find greater success, preferably a trip to the College World Series for the first time in 15 years.
One of the most exciting storylines for Clemson this season is the return of several key players from the team’s strong 2024 season. Among the most notable is the Tigers’ center fielder Cam Cannarella, who is coming off a breakout year and will provide the ability to impact the game on both sides of the plate.
With a torn labrum throughout the majority of the season, the junior slashed .337/.417/.561, including some heroic plays in the Tigers’ final game of the season against Florida in the super regionals, where the team would eventually lose.
Bakich says that Cannarella is “on track to be 100%” for the opening game of the season.
“Cam’s superpower is his competitive fire and his ability to perform in the clutch, as we all know,” Bakich said. “But, he is progressing very well since it’s his throwing shoulder, but he’s throwing the ball, he’s on a throwing progression (and) he’s extending every day.”
On the mound, Aidan Knaak is poised to continue his dominance. The freshman All-American right-hander will try to build on his outstanding first year performance, which turned heads with his stellar pitching and ability to generate strikeouts with his change-up.
Knaak recorded an impressive 108 strikeouts in 15 games his freshman year. His continued development as a weekend starter will be a key factor in Clemson’s success on the mound in 2025.
“The thing that has made Aidan great is he is very routine-oriented and very consistent with that routine and very regimented and disciplined,” Bakich said about his ace. “He’s got the physical ability, so he certainly doesn’t need to put the target on any of the awards or accolades that he will get. Those will come naturally.”
Bakich also highlighted pitchers Jacob McGovern and Justin LeGuernic as players who could emerge in the team’s rotation this season.
While the Tigers return a strong core, they also added some major talent this season. One of the most exciting new faces is first baseman Luke Gaffney, a former Purdue standout who was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2024. Gaffney will be a significant addition to the lineup after a sensational season in which he posted a .359/.449/.646 slash line, with 15 doubles, 13 home runs and 64 RBIs.
His addition provides much-needed depth and power which will help offset some of the holes in the lineup and contribute to the Tigers’ offensive attack.
With a solid blend of experienced returners and some key newcomers, Clemson is poised for another strong season. Bakich has quickly established a winning culture in his short time at Clemson, and the Tigers are ready and prepared to capitalize on the momentum that they have built, with sights set on Omaha, Nebraska, and a deep run in the College World Series.
As long as key players like Cannarella and Knaak continue to thrive and new additions like Gaffney can quickly make an impact, the Tigers will be a major contender in the ACC and beyond.
However, Bakich believes that this team’s superpower will be the team’s depth. Not only is it lethal, but the Clemson head coach believes that it will motivate the team to play better for more playtime.
“(It) feels like we’ve got a deep roster on both sides of the ball, hitting and pitching,” Bakich said. “That also is a threat because playing time and roles will be fair, but we can’t be equal, and so making everyone keep their energy on the team and pulling the rope in the same direction. That’s a big threat going into the season.”
Clemson will open its season at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown on Feb. 14-16. As part of the event, the Tigers will play two Big 12 squads, Oklahoma State and Arizona, as well as an SEC team, Ole Miss. Bakich and the team will return home to play the first home game of the season on Feb. 19 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium against Presbyterian College.
