Clemson Tigers
Overall Rank: #15
Conference Rank: #4 ACC
Clemson boasted one of the most productive offenses in the country in 2016. That was in large part due to the outstanding play of now sophomore Seth Beer. Beer batted .369 with 18 homeruns and 70 RBIs and was rewarded with a variety of accolades following that amazing freshman season. Chris Okey is gone, but the Tigers return plenty of other talent at the plate. Chase Pinder belted 11 homeruns and Chris Williams added eight more. Reed Rohlman does not hit too many long balls, but he led the team with 21 doubles and added 43 RBIs. The potential problem for Clemson on offense is their speed. Eli White and Weston Wilson were the team’s most prolific base stealers last season, but neither is back in 2017.
2016: 44-20, 16-14
2016 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Monte Lee
Key Departed Players:
Clate Schmidt, P, 4.83 ERA, 85.2 IP, 68 SO
Chris Okey, .339 BA, 15 HR, 74 RBI
Weston Wilson, .279 BA, 7 HR, 45 RBI
Eli White, .272 BA, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 24 SB
Key Returning Players:
Pat Krall, P, 1.67 ERA, 80.2 IP, 65 SO
Alex Eubanks, P, 4.09 ERA, 81.1 IP, 70 SO
Charlie Barnes, P, 4.66 ERA, 94.2 IP, 84 SO
Seth Beer, 1B/OF, .369 BA, 18 HR, 70 RBI
Chase Pinder, OF, .294 BA, 11 HR, 46 RBI
Reed Rohlman, OF, .274 BA, 2 HR, 43 RBI
Chris Williams, C/IF, .245 BA, 8 HR, 38 RBI
Projection:
It was the pitching that sent the Tigers home early from the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers gave up way too many runs, including nine to Oklahoma State in the regional final that saw the Cowboys advance to the Super Regionals on Clemson’s home field. The good news is much of the pitching staff returns, including the versatile Pat Krall. Krall started three games and earned five saves. He could come in whenever Coach Monte Lee needed him and he would do a very good job. On the year Krall sported a 1.67 ERA in 80.2 innings of work. Regular starters Alex Eubanks and Charlie Barnes are back too. Eubanks showed a lot of promise as a freshman and could emerge as an All-ACC caliber pitcher as a sophomore if he can be more consistent and keep the ball in the park.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
