National recognition begins the 2026 season for Clemson baseball — and familiar questions. In its preseason Top 25, Baseball America ranked the Clemson Tigers No. 20, helping to put the Tigers in the country’s projected roster of contenders while reinforcing the reality that progress alone is no longer the standard. Clemson has maintained consistency under head coach Erik Bakich.
The Tigers won 45 games in 2025, climbed as high as No. 2 in the national polls during the regular season, and reached the ACC Tournament championship game. But their NCAA Tournament stay came to an abrupt end, continuing what is now a 15-season drought in the College World Series. That setting shapes Clemson’s preseason ranking. Baseball America’s assessment hailed Clemson’s path, saying the Tigers have found credibility “through consistency rather than flashes.”
The website cited a roster that preserved much of its core but provided some targeted transfer pieces to augment rather than overhaul the lineup, a delicate balancing act intended to maintain success for the long haul into the postseason.
Clemson’s portal additions are outfielders Ty Dalley and Nate Savoie, infielders Tyler Lichtenberger and Bryce Clavon, and pitchers Michael Sharman and Ariston Veasey. The strategy emphasized depth and flexibility as opposed to headline-grabbing turnover. But much of Clemson’s soul still lies in returning production. Jacob Jarrell, who is a catcher, is in the middle of the lineup, joined by Luke Gaffney, Jarren Purify and Collin Priest. Jack Crighton and Tryston McCladdie add platoon versatility, while Cam Cannarella’s departure to the MLB Draft offers a marked hole in the middle of the order.
On the mound, the right-hander Aidan Knaak is back as staff ace after two seasons of frontline production. He’ll be joined in this rotation by Drew Titsworth and sophomore left-hander Talan Bell as Clemson attempts to establish innings depth across a rigorous ACC slate.
The Tigers are one of seven ACC programs ranked in Baseball America’s preseason poll, serving as a reminder that the road will be tough ahead. Clemson will open the season with a three-game series against Army at Doug Kingsmore Stadium with a challenging schedule of games to go along — multiple ranked conference opponents plus a three-game rivalry series against South Carolina. Clemson has found it can compete. The question in 2026 then is whether it will finally be able to break through.