2025 Fall College Baseball Reset: Clemson

The 2025 season was supposed to be different for Clemson. The Tigers rolled through the regular season and were one of 16 schools to host a Regional. But after beating USC-Upstate in their opening contest, losses to West Virginia and Kentucky ended Clemson’s season at home. Heading into 2026, the goal will be to avoid that same fate.

The Returnees

The Clemson Tigers have been led, in part, by Aidan Knaak. Knaak, who struck out 108 batters in his freshman season two years ago, walked the same number of batters last season (29) compared to 2024. He also conceded just one home run (9) in 2025 than 2025. And yet, he posted an ERA north of 4.00 last season.

That won’t affect his draft stock heading into his junior campaign. Knaak heads into the year as the top dog on a Clemson team that cycled through a lot of different starters last season. Ethan Darden, Talan Bell — who’s back for his sophomore season — were among the many who saw action in the rotation for Erik Bakich last year.

Additionally, Drew Titsworth, who saw time in the rotation and bullpen last season and struck out nearly a batter per inning, is back. So are Justin LeGuernic and Jacob McGovern, who struck out over a batter per inning on average last season. Both LeGuernic and McGovern primarily worked out of the bullpen.

The offense, meanwhile, lost two of its best performers from 2025. However, the bulk of the group is back for 2026.

Luke Gaffney, a major transfer acquisition from Purdue in 2024, slashed just .271/.357/.388 with five home runs with Clemson last season. It was a stark difference from 2024, a season that saw Gaffney belt 13 home runs for the Boilermakers and hit .359.

Collin Priest, who came over from Michigan in 2024 alongside Gaffney, did hit for power last season with 12 home runs. However, Priest has holes in his game. The 21-year-old struck out 61 over 59 games last season with Clemson. This past summer in the Cape with Brewster, Priest hit .185 and went deep just once over 30 games.

The Tigers also got back senior catcher Jacob Jarrell, who hit a team-high 15 home runs for Clemson last season. Juniors Jarren Purify and Tryston McCladdie are among other notable returning hitters.

The Newcomers

Clemson lost some notables from the 2025 team. Most notably, current Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella.

Cannarella, one of the best defensive outfielders in the NCAA over the past few seasons, notched a team-high 82 hits for Clemson last season and finished with a 1.010 OPS despite only two home runs. He, along with Dominic Listi, will not be helping out the Tigers this season.

However, there are some fresh faces.

Among them are former Tennessee reliever Michael Sharman, who struck out 25 over 23 innings, former Mercer slugger Ty Dalley, and, and catcher/outfielder Nate Savoie.

Both Dalley and Savoie, on paper, project to play the role of run producer for Clemson. Dalley hit 58 home runs over three seasons with Mercer, 19 of which came in 2025. As for Savoie, he batted .300 with 20 home runs and 35 extra-base hits for Loyola Marymount last season as a freshman.

Additionally, Clemson has a large freshman class.

Clemson’s roster includes seven redshirt freshmen, including outfielder Owen Anchors and pitcher Dane Moehler. Both Anchors and Moehler, the son of former Tigers and Marlins pitcher Brian Moehler, were notable 2024 recruits.

There are also 12 true freshmen. Several are notables, including Long Island recruit Nick Frusco, a high school showcase regular and 20th-round pick by the Pirates, hard-hit machine Jason Fultz from Pennsylvania, and Connecticut prepster Daniel Margolies.

Summary

Every year, Clemson figures into the top-25 conversation. That should remain true for 2026.

The Tigers had a good overall recruiting class, bringing in nnotable freshmen who can help out the program over the next years. Plus, some big-time sluggers via the transfer portal — although, we’ll see how Dalley and Savoie adjust to the ACC. If the 2025 season was any indication, it’s not a linear process by any means.

But if the bats do produce, the onus will be on the pitching staff to produce. There’s depth on this staff, with Knaak leading the charge. Where Knaak ends up come July remains to be seen; he doesn’t have premium velocity or size. But from a collegiate standpoint, there’s no doubt that he’s an ace.