Knaak (9-1 record, 4.18 ERA) and Titsworth (5-1, 4.28) are known quantities, and Bell (0-2, 5.56) heads into his second season more than a year removed from his return from Tommy John surgery.
Dion Brown, a sophomore, had a jump in velocity into the mid-90s in the fall, and he’s joined by Joe Allen, Nathan Dvorsky, and Jacob McGovern as veteran bullpen arms.
Plus, the Tigers return two redshirted freshmen, Dane Moehler and Brandon Bennett, who showed promise before they were shut down by injuries. Moehler, in particular, had Tommy John and will have a Bell-like return to play this season.
Add on top of that transfer additions Hayden Simmerson (Catawba) and Ariston Veasey (Alabama) who can touch high-90s and a handful of potential freshman contributors, including MLB draftee Nick Frusco?
Clemson should have enough arms.
As long as they don’t get hurt.
“It’s one of probably the deepest pitching staffs, in terms of totality, No. 1-23, that I’ve been a part of,” Bakich said. “So we’ll see how that shakes out and what that means. But certainly, at least on January 13th, it looks like we don’t have to overextend guys in the non-conference slate.”
As much as Bakich doesn’t want to talk about Omaha, he’s been planning for it.
Moments after the Kentucky loss, Clemson’s coach was talking about a need for more “explosive” athletes in the bullpen and the batter’s box. He accomplished the latter by bringing in sluggers Nate Savoie (Loyola Marymount) and Ty Dalley (Mercer) and retaining the likes of Jacob Jarrell, Jarren Purify, Luke Gaffney, and Collin Priest.