Clemson Tigers outfielder Cam Cannarella has become must-see TV after bursting on to the college baseball scene as a freshman in 2023 and posting a solid follow-up campaign his sophomore season.
Cannarella batted .337 for coach Erik Bakich’s team this past season, finishing with 11 home runs, 16 doubles and 60 RBIs in 58 games. He posted an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging) of .978.
On Wednesday, Cannarella was ranked the No. 2 overall prospect for the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft by veteran baseball analyst Jim Callis of MLB.com and MLB Pipeline.
Per Callis’ rankings:
“One of the best hitters and center-field defenders in the Draft, Cannarella slashed .337/.417/.561 with 11 homers as a sophomore while playing with a torn labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder that required surgery in July. A top-of-the-order catalyst, he has a quick left-handed swing and plus speed but will need to add strength and learn to lift more balls to get to average power.”
Only Texas A&M Aggies slugger Jace LaViolette was ranked ahead of Cannarella in Callis’ rankings.
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With the glove, Cannarella made the most talked about catch of the NCAA Tournament last season in the Tigers’ Super Regional against the Florida Gators on June 9. With two outs in a tie game in the bottom of the 10th inning, Florida’s Ashton Wilson hit a drive to deep centerfield that looked destined to be a game-winning home run.
Instead, Cannarella made a running, over-the-shoulder grab with his back to the field to keep the Tigers’ hopes alive. Clemson would go on to lose to Florida, 11-10, in 13 innings, but Cannarella’s play earned recognition from ESPN’s SportsCenter, while others on social media likened it to Willie Mays’ basket catch in the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians.
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The Tigers ended the season 44-16 overall and ranked No. 9 in the final USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll. Clemson had climbed to as high as No. 2 in the polls during the regular season after a blistering 28-3 start.
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