Clemson baseball coach Jack Leggett announces starting rotation, continues wait-and-see approach with D.J. Reader

CLEMSON — Clemson baseball coach Jack Leggett announced sophomore right-handed pitcher Daniel Gossett will be the opening-day starter Friday against William & Mary.

Patrick Andrews will start Saturday and Scott Firth will be the starting pitcher Sunday for the Tigers.

Kevin Pohle, a weekend starter last season, is still recovering from an injury.

Leggett said highly touted freshman lefty Matthew Crownover, who had Tommy John surgery in March, will be available to pitch this weekend along with fellow lefty freshman Zach Erwin.

Freshman position players like shortstop/third baseman Tyler Krieger and outfielders Maleeke Gibson and Steven Duggar will also play early.

With such a young team, lineups and pitching assignments could be fluid early in the season.

“We want to see a lot of players play and get our pitchers out on the mound and get their feet wet,” Leggett said.

One player Leggett has yet to make a decision on is freshman D.J. Reader.

The 6-3, 335-pound defensive end on the Clemson football team is hoping to earn a roster spot on the baseball team. Leggett indicated Reader might instead be placed on the developmental roster. Leggett said he’s not sure if Reader will make the 35-man roster.

“I’m still trying to determine that,” Leggett said.

Leggett did say Reader, who has reached 90 mph with his fastball, is being looked at as a hitter and not a pitcher at this point.