Talented sophomore class holds the key to Clemson's 2012 baseball season

While the Clemson baseball team will begin the 2012 season having lost some key personnel from the 2011 team that played tough down the stretch to finish with a 43-20 record, it’s reasonable to project that replacing those losses depends heavily on the success of a now-more-seasoned-and-prepared group of second year players.

“We lost a lot of good players from last year’s team, including five guys in the middle of the order that provided a lot of offense for us,” said Head Coach Jack Leggett. “Those are Will Lamb, Chris Epps, Jeff Schaus, Brad Miller, and John Hinson. Those guys were also good defensive players for us, as well as good leaders on our team. Also, as far as pitching, we lost Justin Sarratt and Scott Weismann, so we’re going to miss those guys.

Photo by Mark Crammer

Clemson Baseball - Dominic Attanasio

“At the same time, the guys that were waiting in the wings behind those players all came back in the fall a year better, and hungry and highly motivated. So I see them emerging as the next guys that we have to replace down the road. It’s basically a recycling of our program, and I’m excited to see these guys who have been playing behind the other guys to now get a chance to play.”

Beyond the sophomores, and though a promising freshman class is also part of the equation, the Tigers won’t be destitute of veteran talent. Richie Shaffer, Phil Pohl (both All-ACC last season), Jason Stolz and Spencer Kieboom all return, along with pitchers Kevin Brady, Dominic Leone (both likely Friday night starters), David Haselden, Joseph Moorefield, Jonathan Meyer and Scott Firth.

Still, it’s those players who got their feet wet as freshmen last season who can be expected to make the biggest jump in terms of playing time and improvement.

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Clemson Baseball - Kevin Caughman

“Their freshman year, they’re trying to get the hours in study-hall, and getting in the weight room and understanding what that’s all about, and understanding the conditioning that you have to have to play at this level,” Leggett explained. “Also, learning the system and understanding how the practice habits go, and how much hard work it takes, while juggling their schedules.

“Freshman year is a tough transition, and while some are more ready to play than others, some are waiting in the wings and learning from older guys, and sometimes that’s really the best way to do it so that they get a chance to see how it all works.”

Leggett cites Steve Wilkerson as a player who benefited from that maturation process.

“A kid like Stevie Wilkerson, who played behind Stolz and Miller last year, has really blossomed, and I think is going to be a really good player for us,” said Leggett. “His energy and attitude are really great, and I think he’s going to be a guy to follow and watch at Clemson. Starting out at second-base, he’d be the guy right now, and he’s an example of a guy who had to wait and let the dust settle before he got his opportunity.”

Likewise, Jon McGibbon, whose development at first-base could afford Leggett the option of using Shaffer at third.

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Clemson Baseball - Thomas Brittle

“McGibbon’s another guy who got his feet wet in DH, pinch-hitting, and spot-playing type roles, and he’s going to be a kid who I could see playing first base for us and some outfield, while being a major part of our offensive lineup,” said Leggett. “Also Joe Costigan, Dominic Attanasio, and Thomas Brittle, who was not eligible last year because he transferred in. Then there’s Mike Dunster and Kevin Caughman, and these guys are all a year better, and I’m excited about the progress that they’ve made.”

Leggett is also looking for sophomores to strengthen the Tigers’ pitching staff.

“Pitching-wise, we have some guys like Mike Kent, who I thought had a good fall. Kevin Pohley, Jon Surber, Matt Campbell, and Clay Bates are all sophomores who I think the second time around have a chance to contribute and help us, because they‘re the younger kids who have learned from watching the guys in front of them.”

Leggett said that the improvement between a player’s first and second years is inevitable as long as there’s sufficient investment.

“There’s a metamorphosis that kind of takes place as they come into the program and work,” he confirmed. “If they understand the fundamentals and the work-ethic, and they work on their skills, and they take the coaching, then they will get better.”