Four Standout Clemson Baseball Players Earn All-ACC Honors for 2025 Season, Highlighting a Year of Growth and Grit

The 2025 Clemson baseball season has been marked by highs, lows, and unforgettable moments, but amid the waves of emotion and competition, a remarkable achievement has emerged—four Tigers have earned All-ACC honors, standing among the best in one of the nation’s premier collegiate baseball conferences. This recognition not only underscores the individual talent on the Clemson roster but also reflects the team’s evolution under head coach Erik Bakich, who has been instrumental in shaping a competitive and disciplined program since taking over the reins. With the season reaching its final stretch and postseason implications in play, the All-ACC announcement is a proud chapter in what has been a resilient campaign for Clemson.

Each of the four players honored brings a unique skill set to the diamond, contributing in meaningful ways throughout the 2025 season. From standout pitching performances to consistent offensive production and elite defensive play, these Tigers have demonstrated excellence and earned the respect of their peers and coaches across the Atlantic Coast Conference. Their contributions have helped Clemson stay in the conversation for an NCAA regional berth and have served as a testament to the program’s depth and development.

The first of Clemson’s All-ACC honorees is junior right-handed pitcher Aidan Knaak, whose season has been defined by dominance on the mound and an unshakable presence as the team’s Friday night ace. Knaak, who has built on a strong sophomore campaign, has taken a significant leap forward in 2025, improving his strikeout-to-walk ratio, command, and pitch efficiency. He boasts an ERA that consistently hovers around the low 2.00s and has held opponents to a batting average under .200 for much of the season. His fastball, touching the mid-90s, and his sharp-breaking slider have given opposing hitters fits, while his demeanor and leadership have set the tone for the Clemson pitching staff. The All-ACC nod is a well-deserved reward for Knaak, who has been one of the most reliable arms in the ACC this spring.

Joining Knaak on the All-ACC list is senior outfielder Cam Cannarella, a spark plug in the Clemson lineup who brings energy, athleticism, and consistency to the top of the order. Cannarella has led the team in batting average for the majority of the season and ranks among the ACC’s leaders in hits, on-base percentage, and stolen bases. Whether it’s laying down a bunt, working a long at-bat, or making a diving catch in center field, Cannarella’s fingerprints are all over Clemson’s success. A veteran presence with elite instincts and defensive range, he’s also served as a mentor to younger players on the roster. This is not Cannarella’s first taste of All-ACC recognition, but it is perhaps his most meaningful, coming during a season when he embraced a leadership role and helped guide a youthful Clemson squad through some challenging stretches.

The third Tiger to receive All-ACC recognition is sophomore third baseman Tristan Bissetta, who has emerged as a breakout star in 2025. Bissetta’s combination of power and plate discipline has made him one of the most dangerous hitters in the conference. He leads the team in home runs and RBIs and has come through in clutch situations time and time again. His ability to drive the ball to all fields and adjust to pitching has elevated his profile dramatically from his freshman year. What makes Bissetta’s rise even more impressive is the defensive growth he’s shown at the hot corner. Once seen as a bat-first prospect, Bissetta has improved his footwork, arm strength, and overall fielding reliability, turning him into a complete player. His All-ACC selection is a testament to both his hard work and the coaching staff’s development plan, which has helped him reach new heights.

Rounding out the quartet of Clemson All-ACC honorees is freshman catcher Jaxon Slone, whose immediate impact behind the plate has surprised many but not those within the program. Slone stepped into a starting role early in the season and never looked back, becoming a crucial piece of Clemson’s success both offensively and defensively. He’s hitting above .300, with several key home runs and a knack for driving in runs with two outs. More importantly, Slone has excelled in managing the pitching staff, calling games with poise and maturity well beyond his years. His blocking and framing skills have drawn praise from scouts, and he has consistently thrown out would-be base stealers at an impressive rate. For a freshman catcher to earn All-ACC honors is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about Slone’s talent, preparation, and mental toughness.

Together, these four players represent a microcosm of the Clemson baseball identity—hard-nosed, fundamentally sound, and unafraid of the big moment. While individual accolades are often seen as secondary in a team sport like baseball, the All-ACC recognition serves as a meaningful milestone not just for Knaak, Cannarella, Bissetta, and Slone, but for a Clemson program striving to re-establish itself among the elite in college baseball.

Coach Bakich, in his third year at the helm, has emphasized player development and culture as the cornerstones of his vision for Clemson. The All-ACC selections reflect his blueprint beginning to bear fruit, with both upperclassmen and underclassmen stepping into prominent roles and delivering. Bakich praised the honorees during a press availability following the announcement, noting the commitment and consistency each player brought to the program this season. He also acknowledged that individual honors like these can serve as motivational fuel for the rest of the team, particularly heading into the postseason.

Indeed, the timing of the All-ACC honors aligns with a pivotal stretch in the season. With the ACC Tournament looming and NCAA postseason bids on the line, Clemson is hoping to ride the momentum of its stars to a deep run. The leadership of players like Cannarella and Knaak will be invaluable in high-pressure situations, while Bissetta and Slone offer the kind of production that can tilt a close game. In a sport where momentum is everything, having multiple All-ACC players provides a psychological boost and tangible production that can carry a team far.

The Clemson faithful have taken notice as well. Doug Kingsmore Stadium has been buzzing with excitement throughout the season, and the All-ACC announcements only add to the pride felt by the Tigers’ fanbase. For a program steeped in tradition, returning to prominence is as much about the present as it is about honoring the past. This group of honorees carries the mantle forward, embodying the values and competitive spirit that Clemson baseball is known for.

Looking ahead, the future also seems bright. While Cannarella will likely move on to professional opportunities after this season, Bissetta and Slone represent the foundation of Clemson’s future core. Knaak, depending on draft evaluations, could also return to anchor the rotation in 2026. Regardless of what the future holds, the 2025 season will be remembered as a turning point—a year when Clemson’s stars were not only recognized among the ACC elite but when the program began to feel like a national contender once again.

In a competitive league like the ACC, earning All-Conference honors is no small achievement. It’s a signal that these players didn’t just perform well—they performed exceptionally well, consistently, against some of the best competition in the country. For Clemson baseball, having four such players on the All-ACC roster in one season sends a message: the Tigers are back in business, with the talent, leadership, and hunger to make noise both now and in seasons to come.

With postseason hopes still alive and more games to play, the All-ACC honors are not the final chapter of the 2025 Clemson baseball story—they’re merely a celebrated moment along the way. Whether or not a championship run is in the cards, the performances of Knaak, Cannarella, Bissetta, and Slone have already secured their place in Clemson lore. Their effort, excellence, and impact will resonate long after the final out is recorded this season.