Tag: Clemson baseball recruiting

Tigers pick up another commitment

The Clemson baseball program has picked up another verbal pledge. Class of 2024 infielder Josh Castellani of Dixie Hollins High School (St. Petersburg, Fla.) announced his commitment to the Tigers via social media Thursday morning. “I am very …

The Clemson baseball program has picked up another verbal pledge.

Class of 2024 infielder Josh Castellani of Dixie Hollins High School (St. Petersburg, Fla.) announced his commitment to the Tigers via social media Thursday morning.

“I am very excited to announce that I will be furthering my academic and athletic career at Clemson University,” Castellani wrote in a Twitter post. “I would first like to thank the Lord for giving me the ability to play the game I love. Secondly, I would like to thank all the coaches that helped me throughout the recruiting process. Finally, I would like to thank my parents for their endless support from the very beginning. GO TIGERS!!”

Erik Bakich and the Tigers also picked up verbal commitments from two prospects Wednesday — The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) 2024 righthanded pitcher Chayce Kieck and University Liggett School (Detroit, Mich.) 2023 shortstop Jarren Purify, a former Michigan commit.

You can check out clips of Castellani below:

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Clemson flips former Michigan commit, adds top 2024 prospect

Clemson and Erik Bakich picked up verbal commitments from two prospects Wednesday. The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) 2024 righthanded pitcher Chayce Kieck and University Liggett School (Detroit, Mich.) 2023 shortstop Jarren Purify announced …

Clemson and Erik Bakich picked up verbal commitments from two prospects Wednesday.

The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Fla.) 2024 righthanded pitcher Chayce Kieck and University Liggett School (Detroit, Mich.) 2023 shortstop Jarren Purify announced their commitments to the Tigers via social media on Wednesday afternoon and evening, respectively.

Purify becomes the latest former Michigan commit to flip to Clemson. That now marks seven prospects between the classes of 2022 and 2024, in addition to two transfers, that have now followed Bakich and his staff to Clemson.

Clemson receives commitment from in-state prospect

Clemson and Erik Bakich have picked up a verbal commitment from an in-state prospect in the class of 2024. Hilton Head (S.C.) Preparatory catcher Steele Burd announced his commitment to the Tigers via social media on Monday evening. I am extremely …

Clemson and Erik Bakich have picked up a verbal commitment from an in-state prospect in the class of 2024.

Hilton Head (S.C.) Preparatory catcher Steele Burd announced his commitment to the Tigers via social media on Monday evening.

I am extremely blessed to be able to say that I will be continuing my academic and baseball career at Clemson University,” Burd wrote in a Twitter post. “Thanks to my friends, family and coaches who all helped me to get here. GO TIGERS!!”

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Former Florida State commit flips to Clemson

Clemson and Erik Bakich have picked up a verbal commitment from a prospect out of the Sunshine State in the class of 2023. Sanford (Fla.) Lake Howell High School right-handed pitcher Chance Fitzgerald announced his commitment to the Tigers via …

Clemson and Erik Bakich have picked up a verbal commitment from a prospect out of the Sunshine State in the class of 2023.

Sanford (Fla.) Lake Howell High School right-handed pitcher Chance Fitzgerald announced his commitment to the Tigers via social media on Saturday evening.

Fitzgerald was previously committed to the Florida State baseball program but has since flipped his commitment to Clemson, following pitching coach Jimmy Belanger in the process.

“After long hours of talking and thinking, I am more than excited and blessed to announce that I’ll be furthering my academic and baseball career at Clemson University!” Fitzgerald wrote in a Twitter post.

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

‘What they do for their players is next level’: Clemson commit talks decision to flip from Michigan

Brendon Bennett became the latest former University of Michigan commit to follow Erik Bakich and Nick Schnabel to Clemson. The left-handed pitcher and class of 2024 prospect out of Michigan’s Novi High School, announced his verbal commitment to …

Brendon Bennett became the latest former University of Michigan commit to follow Erik Bakich and Nick Schnabel to Clemson.

The left-handed pitcher and class of 2024 prospect out of Michigan’s Novi High School, announced his verbal commitment to Clemson on Wednesday evening via social media.

“I really like the coaches that they have there,” Bennett told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview Thursday. “I’ve built up good relationships with them and obviously the baseball program is very good. I loved the campus when I went down there last year and it’s a great school.”

Bennett was recruited by Clemson’s previous coaching staff but ultimately committed to Bakich at the University of Michigan. He liked what Clemson’s baseball program had to offer, but there was something that resonated with the coaching staff that was already in his backyard.

It certainly says a lot about the coaches that Bennett is now the sixth former Michigan commit to flip to Clemson.

“What they do for their players is next level,” Bennett said. “They develop you as a baseball player and as a person, and I really like how they bring the team culture together and they make everybody be a part of a great team every year.”

Bennett is from Novi (MI.) which is around 35-40 minutes outside of Ann Arbor. However, the distance really didn’t have that much of an effect on his decision to flip to Clemson. Also, another part that plays into it is Bennett’s older sister, Reganne, is committed to play softball at the University of South Carolina.

Brendon already liked what Clemson had to offer. After he decomitted from Michigan on June 27, it took about a week or so for him to get in contact with Bakich and Schnabel. The decision wasn’t all that difficult for him to make.

“I liked the town that Clemson was in and I really liked the campus,” Brendon said. “The lakes and everything like that were beautiful. The baseball facilities were crazy. The stadium was beautiful. I just liked everything about it and the dorms were really nice too.”

Before he verbally pledged to Bakich and Clemson, Brendon had the chance to speak with his future pitching coach, Jimmy Belanger. The former Florida State pitching coach’s philosophy lined up with Brendon’s and played a part in his decision.

“I talked to him and I really liked him,” Brendon said. “He really knows how to develop pitchers and he’s put multiple pitchers as higher draft picks into the MLB.

As far as his pitching repertoire is concerned, Brendon has three working pitches in his arsenal — fastball, curveball and changeup. Last weekend, his fastball velocity was sitting around 93 mph. Brendon’s putaway pitch is probably his curveball, but his go-to pitch is definitely his fastball.

According to Brendon, Clemson’s staff likes how he pitches, how he competes and what he has to offer with his pitches.

What can Clemson fans expect from him once he arrives on campus in the future?

“I’m gonna try my best to be the best teammate and the best player on the field,” he said, “and I’m gonna work hard to be better.”

While he doesn’t imagine that he’ll get back on campus this summer, Brendon is sure that he’ll definitely find his way to Tiger Town sometime this fall.

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Another former Michigan commit flips to Clemson

Yet another former Michigan commit is heading to Clemson Novi (MI.) High School 2024 left-handed pitcher Brendon Bennett announced his commitment to the Tigers on Wednesday night via social media. I’m very excited to announce that I will be …

Yet another former Michigan commit is heading to Clemson

Novi (MI.) High School 2024 left-handed pitcher Brendon Bennett announced his commitment to the Tigers on Wednesday night via social media.

Bennett is now the sixth former Michigan commit to flip to Clemson, joining Winnacunnet High School (Hampton, New Hampshire) 2022 righthanded pitcher Joe Allen, Rockville Centre (N.Y.) Chaminade High School 2022 shortstop Nolan Nawrocki, St. Mary’s Prep (Orchard Lake, Michigan) 2022 third baseman/middle infielder/outfielder Jack Crighton,  Homewood-Flossmoor (Glenwood, IL.) 2023 outfielder/left-handed pitcher Dillion Head and Frankenmuth (MI.) High School 2023 right-handed pitcher Drew Titsworth.

Bennett decomitted from Michigan on June 27.

‘It was like nothing I’ve ever seen’: Former Michigan commit talks decision to flip to Clemson

Drew Titsworth became the latest former University of Michigan commit to follow Erik Bakich and Nick Schnabel to Clemson. The dominant right-handed pitcher and class of 2023 prospect out of Michigan’s Frankenmuth High School, announced his verbal …

Drew Titsworth became the latest former University of Michigan commit to follow Erik Bakich and Nick Schnabel to Clemson.

The dominant right-handed pitcher and class of 2023 prospect out of Michigan’s Frankenmuth High School, announced his verbal commitment to Clemson on Monday evening via social media.

Once Titsworth got on campus, he knew he wanted to be a Tiger. It was pretty automatic.

“When Bakich and Schnabel announced that they were leaving Michigan to come to Clemson,  one of the first thoughts in my head was that I wanted to follow those guys,” Titsworth told The Clemson Insider Monday night in a phone interview. “I just got the opportunity to come down here and stop at Clemson on the way to Atlanta. Once I saw the campus, the field and all the facilities, it was a pretty easy decision for me.”

Titsworth’s hometown is only an hour and a half outside Ann Arbor, so the distance was something he considered, but after talking with his family, it just seemed like the right thing for him to do.

“Those guys have always believed in me since Day 1,” Titsowrth said. “They were kind of the first coaches to truly recruit me. We built a tight relationship and I kind of like the way they go about things. They’re always going to compete no matter what, no matter the score or the inning…obviously, they’ve had success, so I like that too.”

Titsworth decommitted from Michigan on July 3. Bakich and Schnaebel got in contact with him that same day. They wanted him to follow them down to Tiger Town, but first they needed to get him on campus. That happened on Monday.

“It was ridiculous, there’s nothing like that up north,” he said. “It was like nothing I’ve ever seen.”

Monday marked the first time that Titsworth got to meet his future pitching coach, Jimmy Belanger.

“Right off the bat I could just tell that he was a good guy,” Titsworth said. “Talking with him and what he’s done at other programs and the stuff he’s done, I could just tell that he’s gonna be a good fit.”

As far as his pitching repertoire is concerned, Titsworth has four working pitches in his arsenal — fastball, slider, changeup, and a sinker, a pitch he’s still mastering. His velocity sits between 89-94 mph.

What can Clemson fans expect from him once he arrives on campus around this time next year?

“I’m gonna compete,” he said. “I’m gonna do whatever I can as a pitcher to get outs and then, as a teammate, I’m gonna try to encourage everybody to be the best they can and I’m just gonna try to win.”

— Photo for this article courtesy of Drew Titsworth.

Dear Old Clemson’s first event is July 24. Now there is a new way to support Clemson student-athletes. Come out and meet the freshmen football players at this meet and greet autograph session. If you sign up for certain club levels you get free access to all Dear Old Clemson events. Purchase your tickets today at Dear Old Clemson.

Clemson flips yet another former Michigan commitment

Another former Michigan commitment is heading to Clemson. Frankenmuth (MI.) High School 2023 prospect Drew Titsworth (right-hand pitcher/outfielder) announced his commitment to the Tigers on Monday night via social media. Absolutely stoked and …

Another former Michigan commitment is heading to Clemson.

Frankenmuth (MI.) High School 2023 prospect Drew Titsworth (right-hand pitcher/outfielder) announced his commitment to the Tigers on Monday night via social media.

Titsworth is now the fifth former Michigan commit to flip to Clemson, joining Winnacunnet High School (Hampton, New Hampshire) 2022 righthanded pitcher Joe Allen, Rockville Centre (N.Y.) Chaminade High School 2022 shortstop Nolan Nawrocki, St. Mary’s Prep (Orchard Lake, Michigan) 2022 third baseman/middle infielder/outfielder Jack Crighton and Homewood-Flossmoor (Glenwood, IL.) 2023 outfielder/left-handed pitcher Dillion Head.

Titsworth decomitted from Michigan on July 3.

Clemson flips another former Michigan commitment

Another former Michigan commitment is heading to Clemson. Homewood-Flossmoor (Glenwood, IL.) 2023 prospect Dillion Head (outfielder/left-handed pitcher) announced his commitment to the Tigers on Sunday night via social media. I am extremely blessed …

Another former Michigan commitment is heading to Clemson.

Homewood-Flossmoor (Glenwood, IL.) 2023 prospect Dillion Head (outfielder/left-handed pitcher) announced his commitment to the Tigers on Sunday night via social media.

Head is now the fourth former Michigan commit to flip to Clemson, joining Winnacunnet High School (Hampton, New Hampshire) 2022 righthanded pitcher Joe Allen, Rockville Centre (N.Y.) Chaminade High School 2022 shortstop Nolan Nawrocki, and St. Mary’s Prep (Orchard Lake, Michigan) 2022 third baseman/middle infielder/outfielder Jack Crighton.

Head decomitted from Michigan on June 23.

Big-time pitching prospect ‘super excited’ to be a Tiger, talks decision to flip from Michigan

Joe Allen made an unofficial visit to Clemson from Tuesday to Wednesday. On Wednesday night, the big-time righthanded pitcher in the class of 2022 from Winnacunnet High School (Hampton, New Hampshire) announced his commitment to the Tigers and their …

Joe Allen made an unofficial visit to Clemson from Tuesday to Wednesday.

On Wednesday night, the big-time righthanded pitcher in the class of 2022 from Winnacunnet High School (Hampton, New Hampshire) announced his commitment to the Tigers and their new head coach, Erik Bakich.

“We talked (Wednesday), and I was like, ‘Coach, I’m coming with you. This is where I wanna be,’” Allen told The Clemson Insider in a phone interview Thursday.

Allen, the 2021-22 Gatorade New Hampshire Baseball Player of the Year, had previously been committed to Bakich and Michigan when he was still the Wolverines’ head coach before being hired as the Tigers’ new head coach in June, replacing former Clemson head coach Monte Lee.

Nick Schnabel, who coached alongside Bakich during his tenure at Michigan from 2013-22 and has now joined Bakich’s staff at Clemson as assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, helped recruit Allen to Clemson.

“I was committed to the University of Michigan with Coach Bakich and Coach Schnabel, and when they both took the job at Clemson, they asked me to come with them,” Allen said. “And to be now committed to Clemson University with such an incredible storied history of a school, and not only a school but a baseball program, is so cool and so awesome.”

Allen explained why he decided to flip his commitment from Michigan and follow Bakich to Clemson.

“Just the way we always talk to each other over the phone and interactions in person, and the way he just has this vibrant energy about him, and you can tell he cares about every single one of his players and loves the game of baseball just like I do,” Allen said. “He’s a coach that I’d run through a brick wall for, and I haven’t even put on a Clemson jersey yet.”

Allen’s unofficial visit to Clemson this week played a big part in his pledge to the Tigers as well.

“Honestly, as soon as I stepped on campus, it was just the care that they had for their baseball team,” he said of what stood out about the visit. “And the stadium, all the facilities are so top-level. But any time we went out to get food, the restaurant owner would come over and say hello to Coach Bakich, welcome him to Clemson, and they’d all come over and shake our hands. Just the love that the community has for baseball and the Clemson Tiger baseball team, that stuck out to me so much and that helped me make the decision extremely easy.”

At the time of Allen’s Gatorade New Hampshire Baseball Player of the Year selection on June 3, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior had led Winnacunnet to a 13-7 record and a berth in the Division 1 state tournament.

Allen posted a 3-2 record with a 1.62 ERA through the regular season, striking out 71 batters in 43 innings pitched while surrendering just 26 hits and 13 walks.

“That was a huge honor,” Allen said of the Gatorade accolade. “But I don’t win anything without my teammates behind me at my high school and the work they put in all year and the support I got – not only at the plate, but making all the plays behind me was perfect, and it’s a team award right there for the way they helped me all year.”

A first-team all-state selection, Allen was the only New England player chosen for the USA Baseball 18U National Team and also played in the 2021 Area Code Games. He was a third-team Rawlings/Perfect Game Preseason All-American.

Despite his success and laurels at the high school level, Allen isn’t coming to Clemson with a sense of entitlement, and he’s heading to Tiger Town hoping to help the Tigers accomplish the ultimate goal of winning their first-ever national championship.

“I know from day one, I’m going to have to go in there and earn everything, and that’s what I love about (Bakich) – nothing’s given,” Allen said. “And me as a pitcher, I’m just going to try to get outs as quick as possible and help take this team back to Omaha and win the first national title. That’s always the goal.”

Allen isn’t sure when he’ll arrive to Clemson to begin his college career, but he’s ecstatic to get started.

“After (the visit this week), I would love to be down there right now,” he said. “But we haven’t really figured out when exactly I’ll be down there. But I’m so, so excited to be a Tiger. I just can’t wait to be in that stadium when it’s full and pitching in front of the Tiger fans. I’m super excited.”

–Photo courtesy of Joe Allen on Twitter (@joeallen435)

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