Clemson Baseball: Top in-state outfielder commits to Tigers

Clemson baseball received a commitment from the top outfielder in the state of South Carolina on Tuesday, when Devin Parks of Fort Mill pledged to the Tigers.

Perfect Game lists Parks as 6’1, 175 pounds and grades him at 8.5. which is between a potential draft pick and/or excellent college prospect and potential top 10 round pick and/or highest level college prospect in their ranking system.

Erik Bakich announced his intent to dominate the state in recruiting when hired back in June, which was music to Tiger fans ears, but given his late start most of his current commitments are from out of state.

Parks’ commitment would be the fifth for a player from South Carolina per Perfect Game, with the others being Jackson Cole from Boiling Springs, Ty Marshall from Cayce, Jacob McGovern from Seneca and Jackson Proctor from Moncks Corner.

As expected as he matures, Parks numbers have improved, with 7 MPH added to his fastball over the last 3 years, along with improved max barrel speed and acceleration.

Parks is seen as having a projectable build with a quality power projection and is a good student that was named to the 2021 Preseason HS Prospect Showcase Top Prospect List.

With the addition of Parks, Bakich has 14 commitments in the 2023 cycle, but is already off and running in the class of 2024 with 9 commitments

He’s the third outfielder committed to Clemson in the 2023 class along with Dillon Head of Glenwood, IL and the aforementioned Proctor.

With the addition of Parks, Bakich has 14 commitments in the 2023 cycle, but is already off and running in the class of 2024 with 9 commitments currently, including four from South Carolina.

Those from South Carolina listed as their hometown are shortstop Isaac Pena of Lancaster, second baseman Dion Brown of Clover, catcher Steele Burd of Hilton Head and catcher Treion McFarland of Hartsville.

Bakich, most recently the head coach of Michigan, was named head coach in June, replacing Monte Lee who spent seven years at the helm before being let go by Athletics Director Graham Neff.