2017 Clemson Baseball Preview: Pitchers

Despite a surprisingly successful first season for head coach Monte Lee with the Clemson Baseball program, the pitching was its' achilles heel despite winning the ACC championship. Luckily there is more depth on this year's pitching staff for pitching coach Andrew See whose job last season was nothing short of miraculous.

Expected Weekend Rotation

Charlie Barnes (LHP, Junior)- The junior lefty out of Sumter was one of the Tigers' weekend starters during the 2016 season. Barnes had a 6-4 record last year with a 4.66 ERA in 16 starts and 94.2 innings pitched. Barnes will reprise that role again and be looked upon as one of the staff leaders for the Tigers' this coming season.

Pat Krall (LHP, Senior)- Arguably Clemson's top pitcher last year which culminated with All-ACC and All-American honors, Krall will be looked upon as the staff ace this season. Krall pitched in mainly long relief last year with a 0.71 ERA and a 9-1 record but will make the full time move to the weekend rotation this coming season after being drafted by the Cardinals in the 28th round of last year's MLB Draft. Krall was honored as a preseason All-American and his performance this season will be a good indication of how far the Tigers go in the postseason.

Alex Eubanks (RHP, Redshirt Sophomore)- After redshirting his first year with the program due to injury, Eubanks came on to be a member of the weekend rotation during the South Carolina series of last year where he blanked to Cocks to clinch the series for the Tigers. Eubanks was in a competition for the final weekend rotation spot with graduate transfer Tyler Jackson but it is expected that Eubanks will get the Sunday spot. Eubanks split his time between weekend rotation duties and long relief last season and was one of the Tigers' top pitchers.

Returning Players

Jake Higginbotham (LHP, Sophomore)- The talented sophomore lefty out of Hoschton, Georgia was the Sunday starter to start the season last season but moved to mid-week duties before a season-ending injury. Hopefully with the injury issues aside, Higginbotham can be a significant contributor as a long-reliever with potential mid-week starter duties. Higginbotham still has a bright future with the Tigers as potential weekend starter somewhere down the road.

Alex Schnell (LHP, Junior)- The junior lefty out of Milton, Georgia has pitched mainly in long-relief during his career with the Tigers. Has a chance to contribute innings in long-relief and as a lefty specialist out of the bullpen.

Paul Campbell (RHP, Junior)- The junior righty out of Massachusetts has struggled in limited action. With one of the team's hardest fastballs, Campbell has the potential to contribute innings out of the bullpen if he made significant strides during the offseason.

Brooks Crawford (RHP, Sophomore)- The sophomore righty out of Bishop, Georgia emerged as one of the team's top long-relievers last season. With the outstanding Summer he had in the Summer Leagues, Crawford has the potential to be one of the team's top pitchers this coming season and the potential to be a weekend starter for the Tigers sometime in the future. Crawford has the chance to be special according to Coach Lee.

Patrick Andrews (RHP, Sixth Year Senior)- Andrews has had injury issues throughout his long career with the Tigers but was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. Andrews has pitched effectively when healthy and will be looked upon as a leader of the bullpen this coming season.

Ryley Gilliam (RHP, Sophomore)- The sophomore righty out of Kennesaw, Georgia pitched mainly in long-relief and as a mid-week starter last season where he showed potential of future promise. Gilliam has the ability to be a mid-week starter, long-reliever, and potentially a late-inning piece/closer. Gilliam is one of the team's promising young pitchers with the potential be a significant contributor for the Tigers' pitching staff.

Newcomers/Freshmen

Mitchell Miller (LHP, Freshman)- Highly-touted freshman out of Covington, Georgia.

Jacob Hennessy (LHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Moore, South Carolina.

Ryne Huggins (LHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Newberry, South Carolina.

Mat Clark (LHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Jeremy Beasley (RHP, Junior)- The junior transfer from Darton State College was rated as one of the top 63 JUCO transfers by Perfect Game for the upcoming season. Beasley will likely be one of the top arms out of the bullpen as a long-relief option as well as potential mid-week duties.

Tyler Jackson (RHP, Graduate)- The graduate transfer from USC Upstate (who started his career at USCjr.) was in contention for the final weekend rotation spot with an outstanding Fall camp. Jackson will be looked upon as potentially one of the top pitchers out of the bullpen as well as a potential mid-week starter.

Blake Holliday (RHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Belton, South Carolina.

Ryan Miller (RHP, Junior)- Another top 63 JUCO transfer by Perfect Game, the coaching staff loves Miller's potential as a key bullpen piece and potential closer. Miller transferred to the Tigers from Florida State College. Miller underwent Tommy John Surgery last year and will be looked upon as a key piece of the bullpen once fully healthy hopefully in a few weeks.

Travis Marr (RHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Castle Rock, Colorado.

Owen Griffith (RHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Aiken, South Carolina.

Bo Gobin (RHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Summerville, South Carolina.

Andrew Coker (RHP, Freshman)- Freshman out of Hartsville, South Carolina.