Clemson Baseball: 2015 Final Thoughts

The Clemson baseball season has come to an end and we are left with some questions and concerns surrounding the program as a result.

The Clemson baseball team finished this season with a less than stellar record of 32-29 and 16-13 in the ACC. The Tigers looked like a top-10 at points in the season when they defeated Louisville, swept Florida State, and contended with some of the better teams in the nation. They also looked terrible at times in losses against Winthrop, Presbyterian, and Wofford, as well as several other points in the season.

The Clemson offense actually improved this season. The Tigers were second in the ACC in runs scored and actually were pretty consistent on offense. They were only shutout twice all season and posted incredible numbers. The main problem with the Clemson offense was base running and coming through with clutch hits with runners in scoring position. It seemed all year there were mistakes on the base pads that would affect the confidence of the team and many times throughout the season the Tigers just were not able to knock in the runners when they reached second or third with two outs.

Even though the offense took a step forward, the Clemson defense was dead-last in the ACC. If the Tigers play solid defense all season, you probably win 40 games. The Clemson defense committed costly errors all season that resulted in losses and a lack of confidence. There were points in games this season where you just hoped a ball was not going to be hit to a certain part of the infield because you knew nothing good could come from it.

The worst part about this is that defense is something you can control. You are taught from an early age how to field and the basics of baseball. Offense comes and goes, but defense is something that is supposed to be consistent. I’m not sure if that inconsistency came from coaching, talent of players, lack of confidence, or something else, but it is disappointing to see Clemson lose so many games based off of errors that snow-balled into runs and mental mistakes that cost the team.

I’m not completely sure where we go from here. It is a sensitive situation that needs to be handled with care. Jack Leggett has been at Clemson University for 22 years and he needs to be treated with utmost respect, even if it is time for a change. We should get word later as to what Dan Radakovich plans to do, but check back here as we take a look at what’s next for the Clemson baseball program regardless of the decision that will be made in the upcoming weeks.