With the junior season dip, Knaak’s draft stock may have declined, but thanks to his prior success and pure “stuff,” he could still be the highest-picked Clemson veteran in this year’s draft.
“I think he kind of falls in that fourth to sixth round range, where he gets some grace because he was better in the past,” Callis said. “I do think with pitchers, a lot of times teams feel like, ‘OK, this guy got away from doing this, we can get him back to doing that,’ or ‘Hey, here’s a tweak where we can maybe add a little velocity.’ Teams feel very good about their ability to help guys improve their stuff.”
LHP Justin Leguernic
As far as junior pitching prospects go, Knaak and left-hander Justin Leguernic have had opposite paths.
While Knaak was slicing through teams as a weekend-starting freshman, Leguernic held a 7.93 ERA in seven starts and 14 relief appearances his first two seasons. As a junior, however, the 6-foot-4 lefty started to reach his potential with a blow-past-you fastball, maintaining a sub-5.00 ERA for the first time in his career in 19 appearances.
Scouts believe the Dix Hills, N.Y., native is just now rounding into form.
“I think he’s going to go around the same area as Knaak, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went ahead of Knaak because he’s left-handed, he’s 6-5, 200, he’s got some sweet to his slider,” Callis said.
Unlike Knaak, Leguernic does not directly project as a starter or reliever, but with major league starters throwing fewer innings, the need for long relievers — Leguernic’s best spot — is growing, and, as a result, the flamethrower could benefit.
Clemson infielder Jarren Purify led the Tigers in batting average (.344) this past season and could be selected in next month’s MLB draft.
Andrew Hancock/Clemson Athletics/Provided
INF Jarren Purify
According to Bakich — and most Clemson fans that watched the team with and without him last season — second baseman Jarren Purify was the heartbeat of the Tigers’ team in 2026.
The junior led his team in batting average (.344), hitting five home runs, eight doubles and single-handedly won the Tigers some games after returning from a monthlong injury hiatus.