Clemson baseball is back on the field this week, but Erik Bakich’s most important work for the 2026 season may have already happened.
Rather than chasing early velocity or heavy workloads, the fourth-year Clemson coach deliberately pulled back on innings throughout the fall. The goal, Bakich says, is simple: protect arms now so the Tigers can rely on them later — when the margin for error disappears.
It’s a strategy Bakich used at Michigan during the Wolverines’ run to the 2019 College World Series finals. He believes it can be the difference between a hot start and a deep postseason.
“We wanted our guys to have a true offseason,” Bakich said. “If you want to play for it all, you’ve got to be healthy in the end.”
Clemson returns one of the deepest pitching staffs in the ACC, with 23 arms Bakich believes are capable of contributing. That depth allows Clemson to limit workloads by design — even if it means holding back some of the staff’s most proven arms early.
“We may limit guys on purpose,” Bakich said. “That’s part of the plan.”
The Tigers haven’t reached the College World Series since 2010, despite consistent postseason appearances under Bakich. Clemson hosted a Super Regional in 2024 but failed to advance — a result that reinforced the importance of health late in the year.
Bakich’s message entering 2026 is not about starting fast. It’s about still standing when games turn into elimination tests.
WHAT IT MEANS
Clemson is prioritizing availability over dominance.
Instead of leaning heavily on front-line starters in February and March, Bakich is structuring his staff to peak in May and June. That philosophy reflects both the depth of Clemson’s pitching room and the increasing physical toll of modern college baseball.
If the Tigers reach postseason play with a fresh rotation and bullpen, Bakich believes Clemson’s ceiling rises dramatically.
BY THE NUMBERS
23 pitchers on Clemson’s 2026 staff
130.2 innings — the highest total thrown by any Michigan pitcher during Bakich’s 2019 CWS run
3 MLB second-round draft picks from that staff
0 College World Series appearances for Clemson since 2010
ROSTER FOCUS
Health will be monitored closely across the staff, from established stars to returning arms working back from injury.
Two-time First Team All-ACC pitcher Aidan Knaak remains a cornerstone, while right-hander Dane Moehler continues his return from a torn UCL. Clemson’s depth allows Bakich to be patient — a luxury many programs don’t have.
“Injuries happen everywhere,” Bakich said. “But how we structure training and development is something we can control.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Clemson opens the 2026 season Feb. 13 against Army at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. The Tigers enter the year ranked No. 20 nationally by Perfect Game.
Expect early-season experimentation with roles and usage — and fewer pitchers being stretched to traditional starter workloads before conference play begins.