2017 Clemson Baseball Preview: Catchers
Courtesy of Clemson Baseball
Not much was expected of the Clemson baseball team heading into the 2016 season. After a disappointing 2015 campaign which ended with an early exit from the Fullerton Regional and the firing of Coach Jack Leggett, the Tigers were projected to finish 6th in the Atlantic Division in 2016. However, first-year coach Monte Lee led the team to a 44-20 overall record, winning the ACC and ultimately earning the #7 national seed and hosting a Regional.
Expectations are at an all-time high leading into the 2017 season, even though the Tigers will be without many key contributors from last year's team. Now that spring workouts have officially begun, let's take a look at what the catching depth might look like this season.
Departures
The Tigers will be looking to find a replacement for Chris Okey, a three-year starter who was a 2nd round pick of the Cincinnati Reds this past spring. Okey played a huge role for the team in 2016, hitting .339 with 15 home runs while manning a spot in the middle of the lineup. However, it is his role as a team leader and manager of the pitching staff that will be most difficult to replace.
Returners
Junior Chris Williams is the favorite to win the starting job behind the plate this spring. He spent most of the 2016 season playing corner infield for the Tigers, finishing the year with a .245/.342/.413 line and 8 home runs. Those numbers are somewhat misleading, however. Williams got off to a slow start, but became one of the most consistent hitters on the team down the stretch, finishing the season with 5 home runs and and 19 RBI in the final 15 games. He swung the bat well in the fall, and looks like a potential middle of the order bat, much like Okey was over the past two seasons.
Fellow junior Robert Jolly was used primarily as a designated hitter and pinch hitter in 2016, compiling a .217 average in 92 at-bats. He showed improvement in the Coastal Plain League this summer by hitting .256 with 6 doubles and 23 RBI in 39 games, and looked much more comfortable at the plate throughout the fall as well. Jolly will have the opportunity to earn more playing time as the season goes on, but at the very least should be one of the go-to left-handed bats off the bench.
Newcomers
Kyle Wilkie is a player to keep an eye on over the next couple of years as well. His freshman status may put him at 3rd on the depth chart to start the year, but he shows great defensive actions behind the dish and has a legitimate chance to earn some playing time this spring as a true freshman.
Follow along as we continue to preview to 2017 Clemson baseball team as well as news and notes from around the world of baseball over the course of the season.
