CLEMSON — Clemson baseball is ready to pursue a College World Series appearance in Year 3 under coach Erik Bakich.
The No. 11 Tigers won the ACC’s Atlantic Division, hosted an NCAA regional and reached its first NCAA super regional in 14 years last season. They return All-American center fielder Cam Cannarella and pitcher Aidan Knaak to headline a loaded team with Omaha, Nebraska, aspirations.
Before Clemson begins its season vs. No. 17 Oklahoma State on Friday (noon ET), here are five bold predictions for its 2025 season.
Clemson baseball reaches College World Series, suffers early exit
Bakich has led the Tigers to back-to-back 40-win seasons and appearances in the NCAA tournament as an overall seed. He has helped them improve each season: making an NCAA regional in 2023, then reaching a super regional in 2024.
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Clemson’s next step is to reach the College World Series for the first time since 2010. It was at the doorstep last season, but Florida swept the Tigers at their own super regional. This year, Clemson makes it but drops out early to conclude Season 3 under Bakich.
Cam Cannarella wins college baseball’s national player of the year award
Cannarella is Clemson’s best player, hitting .337 with 11 home runs last season despite playing with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He is back at full health with some throwing limitations, but he is primed to erupt in what is likely his final season of college baseball
Three Clemson players (pitcher Kris Benson, shortstop Khalil Greene, outfielder Seth Beer) have won the Dick Howser Trophy, given to college baseball’s player of the year. Cannarella can add his name to this list with another potent season, then he could become the highest-selected position player in Clemson history at the 2025 MLB Draft.
MORE:Why Clemson baseball’s Cam Cannarella enters the 2025 season as a top MLB draft prospect
Clemson baseball won’t exceed 85 home runs
Clemson was one of the best home-run hitting teams last year, hitting 109 (sixth in the ACC). It lost 72.5% of that production, including four of its top five home run hitters.
Bakich is hoping his talented transfer portal class can enter and help Cannarella and other hitters maintain last season’s production. Those contributors include Cal Baptist transfer Josh Paino (11 home runs last season), Purdue transfer Luke Gaffney (13) and Michigan transfer Collin Priest (12). However, improved competition will limit these sluggers and Clemson’s home run ability in 2025.
Clemson breaks home attendance average record
Clemson is making the fan experience better with renovations to Doug Kingsmore Stadium. It is adding a standing-room only section by moving the away team’s bullpen on the third-base line into foul territory. Another change is netting will be increased down the third-base line to the left foul-ball pole to prevent fans from getting hit by batted balls.
These improvements will protect fans and allow them to get closer to the action. In 2024, the Tigers averaged a program-record 5,060 fans per home game, the highest attendance in Clemson history. These changes and Clemson’s elevated play on the field will shatter that record in 2025.
Another Clemson player wins national freshman pitcher of the year
Aidan Knaak won national freshman pitcher of the year in 2024 after logging a 5-1 record with a 3.35 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 83⅓ innings pitched. He carved out a role in Clemson’s rotation and became its ace.
Clemson has landed another star freshman right-handed pitcher. Dane Moehler was invited to the MLB draft combine last year, and his pitch mix consists of a fastball, curveball and changeup. Moehler has impressed during fall practice and preseason scrimmages. He is the son of Brian Moehler, who pitched in the Major Leagues for 14 seasons.
Dane Moehler was injured during a scrimmage, but Bakich is optimistic about his health. If healthy, Moehler can mimic Knaak’s stellar freshman season.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
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