Tag: Clemson baseball

Clemson Baseball announces 2025 schedule

Clemson’s schedule for the 2025 season.

The Tigers, which are set to begin their 128th season under third-year Head Coach Erik Bakich, starts their 2025 schedule with three games in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, Texas from Feb. 14-16. Clemson’s home opener is against Presbyterian at Doug Kingsmore Stadium on Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. All game times for the 2025 season are subject to change.

Season-ticket renewals and new season-ticket requests are available on ClemsonTigers.com with a deadline of Nov. 29. Single-game tickets for IPTAY members are available on Jan. 24 and for the public on Jan. 30.

The Tigers open the season by playing Oklahoma State, Arizona and Ole Miss in Arlington, marking their first regular-season games outside of the Eastern Time Zone since 2005.

Clemson and South Carolina square off in a three-game series, beginning Friday, Feb. 28 at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The two teams play again the following day at Fluor Field in Greenville before concluding the series in Columbia on March 2. The two rivals have met 335 times.

After returning to Fluor Field for a game against USC Upstate on March 4, the Tigers play their next 15 games at home during a 20-day stretch.

Later in the season, the Tigers play the two-new ACC members, Stanford and California.

The Tigers’ five ACC home series are against Notre Dame, Wake Forest, Stanford, Louisville and Duke, while Clemson’s ACC road series are at Georgia Tech, California, NC State, Florida State and Pittsburgh. The Tigers do not play Boston College, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech during the regular season.

Twelve teams participate in the ACC Tournament at Durham (N.C.) Bulls Athletic Park from May 20-25.

– via Clemson Athletic Communications

Clemson baseball’s Erick Bakich remains suspended for the start of the season

Bakich remains suspended.

Clemson Baseball will kick off its season in Dallas next February, but head coach Erik Bakich won’t be on the field for the opening games. The Tigers are set to start their 2025 campaign on February 14th at the Shriners Baseball Classic, but Bakich will serve a two-game suspension due to his ejection in last season’s Super Regional loss to Florida.

Bakich was ejected in the 13th inning of the season-ending game after he argued with the umpires during a heated moment. The incident occurred while officials debated whether to eject outfielder Alden Mathes, who had flipped his bat following a home run. Mathes remained in the game, but Bakich, along with assistant coach Jack Leggett, was thrown out for leaving the dugout.

On Wednesday, Bakich confirmed that his appeal to overturn the suspension was unsuccessful. “We tried it but it didn’t go anywhere,” Bakich shared. “It was like taking a shot and getting blocked immediately. I’ll take my medicine and sit out the first two.”

In Bakich’s absence, assistant head coach Nick Schnabel will step in. Schnabel and Bakich have a long-standing partnership, having coached together for 13 years. Bakich expressed full confidence in Schnabel’s ability to lead, noting, “He could have been a head coach a million times over. He’s turned down a lot of good jobs and is one of the best assistant coaches in baseball. It’s not just me that thinks that. He was national assistant coach of the year in 2019.”

Alongside Schnabel, Clemson boasts pitching coach Jimmy Belanger, whom Bakich described as “one of the best pitching coaches in the country.” With the experienced coaching staff and a well-prepared team, Bakich is confident in his squad’s ability to step up. “Our job sometimes as coaches is to eliminate our job,” he said. “If we do what we need to do in training, then it’s all about the players.”

Clemson baseball lands massive commitment from Chase Kiker

Clemson makes a major splash in the 2026 class.

Clemson baseball head coach Erik Bakich has landed a significant recruit for the Tigers‘ 2026 class. Chase Kiker, a standout two-way player from Indian Trail, North Carolina, announced his commitment to Clemson on Monday. Kiker is highly regarded as one of the top players in the country, earning first-team all-state honors last season and helping lead Metrolina Christian to an NCISAA state championship.

First and foremost, I would like to thank God as without him none of this would be possible. With that being said I am excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at Clemson Univerity. Go Tigers!!

Kiker excels both as a right-handed pitcher and an infielder. His fastball reached the mid-90s, and Perfect Game awarded him their highest grade of 10. In addition to his pitching skills, Kiker was named MVP pitcher at the WWBA 16U tournament, where he also impressed at the plate, hitting .516.

You’ve gotta love these moments as a Clemson baseball fan. Kiker’s commitment adds significant talent to Clemson’s future roster, further solidifying the program’s recruiting success under Bakich’s leadership.

https://twitter.com/Chase_kiker5/status/1838316201920831748

Clemson baseball standout ranked No. 2 overall 2025 MLB Draft prospect

Clemson Tigers outfielder Cam Cannarella could be one of the first names chosen in the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft.

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.

RELATED: Clemson baseball lands a massive commitment from Louis Hernandez Jr.

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.

RELATED: Clemson ranked top 5 in way-too-early Baseball America Top 25 rankings

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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Clemson baseball lands a massive commitment from Louis Hernandez Jr.

Clemson baseball lands a big commitment.

Louis Hernandez Jr., one of the top shortstop prospects in the 2026 class, has announced his commitment to Clemson baseball. Hernandez shared his decision on social media, expressing his excitement about joining the Tigers’ baseball program.

In his announcement, Hernandez said, “I am extremely blessed and beyond excited to announce that I will be continuing my academic and athletic career at Clemson University!” He thanked the Clemson coaching staff for the opportunity and emphasized his eagerness to be part of the team. “This is simply the next step in my journey. I can’t wait to be a Tiger!!!”

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 200 pounds, Hernandez has already made a name for himself with a 9.5 grade on Perfect Game. His talents also earned him an invitation to USA Baseball’s National Team Development Program over the summer, showcasing his potential on a national.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DACXpP4OUpW/?img_index=1

 

Clemson will face these Big 12, SEC teams to open 2025 season

Clemson will face a pair of Big 12 teams and an opponent from the SEC at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, to kick off the 2025 college baseball season.

The Clemson baseball team will open its 2025 season in a Major League Baseball stadium when the Tigers head to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, for an annual college baseball showcase.

Clemson is one of six teams that will participate in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown, set for Feb. 14-16. Joining the Tigers are Louisville, Texas, Oklahoma State, Arizona and Ole Miss.

It’s the latter three teams that Clemson will play at Globe Life Field, as announced Wednesday. The Tigers will face Oklahoma State in the opening game of the annual showcase on Friday, Feb. 14 at noon ET.

The following day, Clemson will face Arizona at noon ET. They’ll close the weekend against Ole Miss on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Coach Erik Bakich will be in his third season as Tigers coach. Clemson finished No. 9 in the final USA TODAY Sports Baseball Coaches Poll last season and won 44 games. The Tigers advanced to a Super Regional for the first time since 2010 after beating Coastal Carolina in their on-site regional of the NCAA Tournament.

 

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Former Clemson pitcher makes MLB debut on same day as call-up

Former Clemson pitcher Ryan Miller had an impressive outing in his Major League Baseball debut for the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night.

Former Clemson Tigers pitcher Ryan Miller made his major league debut on the same day he was brought up from Triple A.

Miller, who pitched for Clemson from 2017-18, threw a perfect seventh inning in relief for the Los Angeles Angels during their 6-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old right-hander retired all three batters he faced, getting light-hitting Ryan Kreidler on a fly ball to right before striking out two batters — catcher Jake Rogers and leadoff man Parker Meadows — to end the inning.

Miller appeared in 34 games this season for the Salt Lake Bees, the Angels’ Triple A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. He compiled a 5-1 record and a 2.45 ERA in 61 2/3 innings. Miller struck out 61 batters and walked 14, holding opponents to a .212 average and 0.99 WHIP.

In two seasons at Clemson, Miller posted an 8-1 record and a 2.59 ERA. He struck out 75 while walking 19 over 81 1/3 innings before being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round (No. 189 overall) of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft.

Aside from the Diamondbacks, Miller also spent time in the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox organizations before the Angels selected him in Major League Baseball’s annual Rule 5 Draft last December.

In five minor league seasons, Miller is 19-13 with a 3.76 ERA over a span of 139 career games. He had 224 strikeouts in 225 innings pitched in that time.

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Former Clemson Tigers pitcher called up by Major League Baseball team

Ryan Miller, who spend two years at Clemson from 2017-18, will join the Los Angeles Angels from Triple A Salt Lake.

A former Clemson pitcher is headed to The Show.

Right-hander Ryan Miller was brought up by the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday and will get the chance to make his major league debut with the team this week.

Miller, who pitched for Clemson from 2017-18, appeared in 34 games this season for the Salt Lake Bees, the Angels’ Triple A affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. In 62 1/3 innings, Miller compiled a 5-1 record and a 2.45 ERA. He struck out 61 batters and walked 14, holding opponents to a .212 average and 0.99 WHIP.

In two seasons at Clemson, Miller posted an 8-1 record and a 2.59 ERA. He struck out 75 batters while walking 19 over 81 1/3 innings before being selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the sixth round (No. 189) of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft.

Miller also spent time in the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox organizations before the Angels selected him in Major League Baseball’s annual Rule 5 Draft last December.

Miller could make his big league debut this week in Detroit, where the Angels are currently playing a three-game series. The team returns to Anaheim this weekend for a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners beginning Friday at 9:38 p.m. ET.

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Former Clemson pitcher Carson Spiers ‘above and beyond’ in Cincinnati Reds return

Carson Spiers had his best start of the season Monday against the Chicago Cubs.

Former Clemson pitcher Carson Spiers made quite an impressive return to the mound for the Cincinnati Reds Monday night.

Spiers (4-2) returned from a stint on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement to throw five scoreless innings of one-hit ball in the Reds’ 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park. He struck out four batters and walked two to earn his fourth win of the season.

Spiers, who pitched for Clemson from 2017-2020, retired the last 12 batters he faced after allowing a first-inning single to Chicago’s Ian Happ. The 26-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.46 in eight total appearances, earning praise from Reds manager David Bell.

“His first time back, we were looking at 50 to 60 pitches, maybe,” Bell told reporters. “He went above and beyond that. It’s good to know Carson’s healthy.”

It was Spiers’ sixth start this season after sliding into the rotation in mid-June. He’s since thrown three quality starts in addition to 5 2/3 scoreless innings of relief against the Cubs in his last non-relief outing back on June 9.

Spiers said he was pleased with Monday’s 68-pitch performance.

“Some kinks and things to work through, sure, but just kind of how baseball is. Take two weeks off, you’ve got to brush through those rusty things,” Spiers said.

“I definitely wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be, but what I told [pitching coach Derek Johnson] after the game is I made the pitch when I needed to and luckily the cutter was pretty good.”

Spiers’ next start should come Sunday when the Reds host the San Francisco Giants at Great American Ball Park.

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Clemson ranked top 5 in way-too-early Baseball America Top 25 rankings

Here’s where Baseball America has the Tigers in their way too early Top 25 rankings for next season.

Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich has been one of the most active coaches in the transfer portal since his team’s 2024 season ended in the Super Regional.

The Tigers have made a splash of additions via the portal this off-season, including former Purdue first baseman and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Luke Holman.

Michigan infielder Collin Priest and Indiana State outfielder Dominic Listi were two of the first names added. Wake Forest left-hander Hudson Lee became the Tigers’ latest addition earlier this week.

Clemson has added seven players total via the portal and lost four: infielders Nolan Nawrocki, Cooper Blauser, right-hander Billy Barlow and outfielder Nathan Lee.

The Tigers also had five players chosen in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft: senior infielder Blake Wright, right-hander Austin Gordon, left-handers Tristan Smith and Rocco Reid and outfielder Will Taylor. Taylor, a fifth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates, is the only Tigers player that has yet to sign his professional contract.

RELATED: Clemson baseball sees five players chosen in 2024 MLB Draft

Earlier this week, Baseball America released its first way-too-early Top 25 rankings for the 2025 season. Clemson checked in at No. 4, one spot below Florida State at No. 3.

Per Baseball America:

“Clemson is coming off a super regional appearance and will be looking to make its first trip to Omaha since 2010. The Tigers will be led by center fielder Cam Cannarella, who is one of the favorites to win Player of the Year honors. On the mound, righthander Aidan Knaak and lefthander Ethan Darden return to lead the rotation.

“Needing to replace its two leading power threats in Jimmy Obertop and Blake Wright, as well as closer Austin Gordon, Clemson hit the portal for some pop and landed Big Ten freshman of the year Luke Gaffney (Purdue). Erik Bakich’s third year at the program’s helm should be an exciting one.”

Clemson was ranked as high as No. 2 in the USA TODAY Sports baseball coaches poll last season after starting the year 28-3. They ended the season at 44-16 overall and finished No. 9 in the final coaches poll.

LSU was No. 1 in Baseball America’s way too early Top 25 with Florida at No. 2. Reigning national champion Tennessee was No. 7.

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