Clemson University Baseball: Roster Transformation and Future Prospects

Clemson baseball faced a season of high expectations in 2025, ultimately falling short of their College World Series aspirations. Despite a strong 45-win season, the Tigers were eliminated early in their own regional. As they look ahead, significant roster changes are on the horizon due to graduations, transfer portal activity, and the Major League Baseball draft.

Key Departures and the Impact on the Team

Several key players are expected to depart from the Clemson baseball program, creating significant gaps in both the offense and pitching staff.

OF Cam Cannarella: Cannarella is a projected early-round selection in the MLB draft, making his return for a senior season unlikely.
INF Andrew Ciufo: Ciufo's eligibility has expired.
INF Dominic Listi: Listi, who had a .310 batting average, second-best on the team, and set records for hit by pitches, has also reached the end of his eligibility.
INF Josh Paino: Paino's eligibility has expired.
RHP Lucas Mahlstedt: Mahlstedt, Clemson's closer, tied the single-season program record with 15 saves.
RHP Reed Garris: Garris was a vital set-up pitcher who could pitch extended innings.
LHP B.J. Bailey: Bailey's departure further impacts the pitching depth.

The loss of Cannarella, Ciufo, Listi, and Paino will require the Tigers to find replacements for their offensive production and defensive consistency. Mahlstedt and Garris leave significant holes in the bullpen, demanding the development of current relievers or the acquisition of new arms through the transfer portal.

Coach Erik Bakich acknowledged the contributions of the departing seniors, stating, "You got guys like Dom Lisiti, Andrew Ciufo, Josh Paino, Lucas Mahlstedt, Reed Garris and all of our seniors that have just poured their hearts out for this team."

Notable Expected Returnees and Future Potential

Despite the departures, Clemson will retain a core group of players who are expected to contribute significantly in 2026.

Read also: A Look at Clemson's Student Body

Hitters:

Jarren Purify
Jacob Jarrell
Collin Priest
Jack Crighton
TP Wentworth
Luke Gaffney
Tristan Bissetta
Tryston McCladdie

Pitchers:

RHP Aidan Knaak
LHP Jacob McGovern
RHP Drew Titsworth
LHP Justin LeGuernic
RHP Joe Allen
RHP Nathan Dvorsky
RHP Chance Fitzgerald
LHP Talan Bell
RHP Dane Moehler

Aidan Knaak's return as the ace pitcher provides a solid foundation for the pitching staff. McGovern, Titsworth, and Bell have the potential to develop into weekend rotation arms. The development of current relievers and potential transfer portal additions will be crucial for addressing the team's pitching depth.

Addressing Offensive Needs

Clemson's offense experienced a decline in home runs, dropping from 109 in 2024 to 73 in 2025. The team also led the ACC in strikeouts with 584. With the departure of Cannarella and Listi, who led the team in batting average and runs, the Tigers will need to find ways to improve their offensive production.

Transfer Portal Strategy

Coach Bakich has emphasized the need to add more "good players" to elevate the program to Omaha. He is specifically targeting portal pitchers who can "just shut it down," hitters who can "change a game with one swing," and runners who are "explosive" on the basepaths.

Clemson's previous offensive portal additions have had mixed results. While Listi and Paino both reached double digits in stolen bases, their overall offensive contributions varied. Priest made an impact with 12 home runs, but Gaffney struggled to hit for power.

Incoming Freshmen and Future Talent

Clemson has secured 11 high school commitments, highlighted by Dax Kilby, who is ranked No. 79 among MLB.com's top 200 draft prospects. The Tigers' class is ranked 22nd nationally and sixth in the ACC.

Read also: Clemson Admission GPA

2025 Season in Review

The 2025 Clemson Tigers baseball team, led by head coach Erik Bakich, began the season ranked fifteenth overall. They participated in the Shriners Children's College Showdown in Texas, where they defeated Oklahoma State and Arizona but lost to Ole Miss. The team then went undefeated in the Clemson Baseball Invitational and swept rivals South Carolina.

Their winning streak reached seventeen games before a loss to Notre Dame. They won series against Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, and Louisville. However, they were swept by NC State in late April.

The Tigers finished the regular season with a 41-15 record and an 18-12 mark in ACC play, finishing fifth in the conference. They advanced to the ACC tournament final but lost to North Carolina. As an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, they hosted a regional but were eliminated after losses to West Virginia and Kentucky, concluding the season with a 45-18 record.