Clemson’s Cam Cannarella Draws Loud Praise as One of the 2025 MLB Draft’s Most Intriguing and Electric All-Around Prospects

There’s a roar growing louder around Clemson, South Carolina, and it’s not just from the loyal fans packing Doug Kingsmore Stadium. It’s the sound of rising draft buzz surrounding Cam Cannarella, Clemson baseball’s sparkplug center fielder and one of the most dynamic talents in all of college baseball. As the 2025 MLB Draft draws closer, Cannarella’s stock continues to soar, and the praise from scouts, coaches, and former pros has reached a fever pitch. If there were still any questions about his readiness for the next level, Cannarella is answering them all—loudly and emphatically.

There’s something special about Cannarella that jumps off the field before he even swings the bat. His intensity. His confidence. The way he tracks balls in center like he’s been doing it for a decade in the big leagues. And when he does swing the bat, he makes noise—both with the crack of the barrel and the reactions of those watching. It’s a sound that echoes the rise of a star.

Cannarella’s rise began the moment he set foot on campus, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors and immediately cementing himself as the centerpiece of the Tigers’ lineup. Since then, his development has been linear—if not exponential. Now in his junior season, Cannarella is the kind of player whose consistency and high-octane style make him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opponents. And pro scouts are taking notice in a major way.

“He’s got that ‘it’ factor,” one National League scout said recently. “He’s not just one of the best athletes in this class—he’s one of the most polished baseball players. And there’s a big difference between the two.” That’s a distinction that Cannarella has leaned into. Yes, he’s a toolsy player—fast, fluid, and with a cannon for an arm—but his instincts and baseball IQ are what separate him.

Through the first half of the 2025 season, Cannarella is batting over .340 with a robust on-base percentage and elite baserunning numbers. He’s swiped double-digit bags with high efficiency, routinely takes the extra base, and is always a threat to go first-to-third or score from second on a single. And while he may not be a traditional slugger, Cannarella has developed some pop—launching timely home runs and spraying doubles into the gaps with ease. More importantly, he rarely chases bad pitches, showing a mature eye at the plate and the kind of discipline that translates well at the pro level.

“He’s a gamer,” Clemson head coach Erik Bakich said earlier this season. “He sets the tone for everything we do, whether it’s in the field, at the plate, or in the dugout. He brings an edge, and guys feed off that energy. You want your best players to be tone-setters. That’s Cam.”

Defensively, Cannarella is already playing like a future Gold Glove candidate. His reads off the bat are elite, and his route efficiency stands out even to the untrained eye. Add in plus speed and a throwing arm that has thrown out runners at second, third, and home, and you’ve got a complete defender in center field. One former MLB outfielder recently compared Cannarella to Kevin Kiermaier—“but with a better bat.”

That blend of defense, athleticism, and offensive production has drawn comparisons to several big leaguers, including AJ Pollock in his prime and even a young Grady Sizemore. “If you’re talking about a five-tool player who plays with grit and instinct, he’s right up there with anyone I’ve scouted in the last five years,” another American League scout said. “He’s the kind of guy who can move quickly through the minors because the little things are already there.”

There’s also the matter of leadership, something that’s often hard to quantify but essential in the world of professional baseball. Cannarella leads vocally and by example, pushing teammates while never backing down from a challenge. His competitiveness is infectious, and Clemson’s recent climb in the national rankings can be attributed in large part to his all-around presence. He’s not just the heart and soul of the Tigers—he’s their motor and their mirror. When he plays with fire, everyone else does, too.

Of course, no draft prospect is without questions, and for Cannarella, the debate centers on where exactly his ceiling lies. Is he a leadoff-hitting center fielder with elite defense and table-setting ability, or can he grow into a No. 2 or No. 3 hitter with gap power and 15-homer upside? Some believe the bat will be good enough to land him in the top half of the first round. Others think his floor is so high that he’s one of the safest picks available in July.

“It’s not a question of if he’ll be a big leaguer—it’s a question of how soon and how much impact he’ll have,” said an area scout who’s followed Cannarella since high school. “He’s going to play for a long time. The glove plays. The wheels play. And the bat’s not just serviceable—it’s a weapon.”

That kind of certainty is rare in the scouting world. But Cannarella inspires belief because of how well-rounded and mature his game is. And in an era when swing-and-miss tendencies and defensive liabilities often force players into long development arcs, his ability to do everything well makes him a potential fast riser.

He’s also earned the trust of Clemson’s coaching staff in every imaginable way. Whether it’s moving him around the lineup, giving him the green light on the bases, or putting him in high-pressure situations, Cannarella never seems to shrink. He relishes the moment. In walk-off situations, he’s delivered. In key series against SEC powerhouses and ACC rivals, he’s shined. His stats in conference play are even better than his non-conference numbers—a sign of a competitor who elevates his game when it matters most.

And fans have noticed. Cannarella jerseys and T-shirts have started popping up around Clemson, and on social media, clips of his defensive gems and electric slides have gone viral. For a college baseball player to capture that kind of attention in a football-centric region is no small feat, but Cannarella has transcended the typical mold. He’s exciting. He’s reliable. And he’s only getting better.

His teammates talk about him with reverence. Younger players on the roster mention how much they’ve learned just by watching him work—whether it’s during early hitting sessions, pregame prep, or postgame cool-downs. He’s a pro before ever playing professionally. And that’s perhaps the highest compliment you can give a college athlete.

As the MLB Draft inches closer, Cannarella will continue to draw eyes from front offices across the league. His pre-draft interviews will be glowing. His analytics will check every box. And his highlight reel—already full of leaping grabs, timely triples, and laser throws—will only keep growing.

Clemson may not know exactly how many more games they’ll get with Cannarella in center, but they do know this: they’re watching one of the best to ever wear the uniform. And come July, a major league team is going to get a player whose name will be met with thunderous applause—not just for what he’s done in college, but for what he’s expected to do at the next level.

The praise is loud, and it’s deserved. Cam Cannarella is more than just a draft prospect. He’s a difference-maker. A culture-changer. And in the eyes of many, a future star.