Clemson coach Erik Bakich prefers to focus on another part of his game.
“In all my time watching college baseball,” Bakich said, “I’ve never seen a more clutch player.”
The Marlins apparently agreed. They drafted the lefthanded-hitting Cannarella at No. 43 overall, with the final pick of competitive balance round A.
Cannarella was recruited by the previous Clemson coaching staff as a shortstop. He arrived on campus in the fall of 2022, which coincided with the arrival of Bakich.
“His bat-to-ball skills were impressive,” Bakich said. “Every day, he did something to make us go ‘wow!’ “
Heading into Cannarella’s freshman season, he was blocked in the infield by veteran starters. The only opening was in center field, where Will Taylor was rehabbing a knee injury.
Cannarella won the job in center and was named Atlantic Coast Conference freshman of the year, batting .388 with seven home runs and 24 stolen bases.
“Cam is the most naturally gifted outfielder we’ve seen,” Bakich said. “He has the ability to run back to the spot where the ball is going to land, turn and make the catch.”
Cannarella is also tough.
In the fourth game of his sophomore season in 2024, Cannarella tore the labrum in his right shoulder and played the entire season injured. He missed just two games that season, while batting .337 with 11 homers.
“To play hurt and put up those numbers, I was in awe,” Bakich said. “In center field, he lowered his arm slot so it wouldn’t hurt so much when he threw.”
Cannarella had surgery prior to his draft year. He hit .353 as a junior but with just five homers and six steals.
Going forward, Bakich believes there will be no restrictions on Cannarella.
“Now that he can lift weights again, his power should tick back up,” Bakich said. “And when he gets to his grown-man strength in his mid 20s, I would not be surprised if he becomes a 30-30 guy.”