CLEMSON BASEBALL OUTLOOK

2009 RECORD: 44-22 (19-11 in ACC)

COACH: Jack Leggett (734- 331-1) in 17 years at Clemson

TOP PLAYERS: OF Jeff Schaus (.320, 13 HR, 50 RBIs); OF/1B Kyle Parker (.255, 12 HR, 52 RBIs); 2B Mike Freeman (.328, 11 SB); SS Brad Miller (.273, 53 BB, 16SB); DH Chris Epps (.416 OBP); LHP Casey Harman (7-3, 3.95 ERA); RHP Scott Weisman (3-1, 1.23 ERA).

TOP NEWCOMERS: 1B Richie Shaffer (Charlotte); RHP Dominic Leone (Norwich, Conn.); RHP Scott Firth (Buffalo Grove, Ill.)

Additional coverage
Clemson Tigers

OUTLOOK: Clemson returns 20 lettermen from last year's team that won the Clemson Regional and advanced to the Tempe Super Regional, the Tigers' eight super regional appearance in 11 years. The Tigers lose slugger Ben Paulsen, starter Chris Dwyer and closer Matt Vaughn but return the majority of their everyday players and have added six promising freshmen pitchers. OF Jeff Schaus is an All-ACC performer, looking to build off his impressive 2009 performance. And freshman first baseman Richie Shaffer is a player to watch. He was Baseball America's No. 27 overall high school prospect and will play right away. Perhaps the biggest question marks are in the pitching ranks Casey Harman and Scott Weisman are penciled in as the No. 1 and 2 starters but beyond that little is certain. New pitching coach Dan Pepicelli replaces Kyle Bunn, who left in the offseason for Auburn. Though a College World Series appearance seems unlikely, the Tigers should be back in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers are ranked 20th in Baseball America's preseason poll and were picked to finish second in the Atlantic Division in the coaches' preseason poll.