CLEMSON

Max Wagner and 5 more Clemson baseball players that could be picked in 2022 MLB Draft

Scott Keepfer
Greenville News

Before new Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich can begin fine-tuning his 2023 roster, he’ll have to assess the fallout from the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft.

Several Tigers could be selected in the 2022 draft – a 20-round process set for July 17-19. Clemson also could have a couple of high school standouts who have committed to the program selected.

So which Clemson players, or future players, could be among those selected in this year’s draft? Here’s a look:

Max Wagner

Clemson sophomore Max Wagner (29) hits a three run home run against Boston College during the bottom of the seventh inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson Friday, May 20, 2022.

A year ago, after batting .214 during his freshman season, almost no one knew who Max Wagner was.

They know now.

The ACC Player of the Year hit .369 last season and led the Tigers in nearly every offensive category. His 27 home runs last season tied Khalil Greene’s school record.

Wagner has played only two full seasons at Clemson but is draft eligible because he’ll turn 21 by the cutoff date. His draft stock may never be higher – he’s rated as the No. 63 prospect by MLB.com. 

More on Max:3 things to know about Clemson baseball's Max Wagner, the ACC Player of the Year

Mack Anglin

Clemson sophomore Mack Anglin (32) throws the first pitch against Indiana during the top of the first inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson Friday, February 18, 2022.

Anglin, who’s ranked No. 177 among MLB.com’s Top 200 draft prospects, was a third-team All-ACC selection last season after compiling a 6-6 record and a 4.48 ERA in 15 starts. He was the Tigers’ Friday night starter throughout the 2022 season.

Anglin, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound righthander, was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 13th round of last year’s draft but decided to return for another season at Doug Kingsmore Stadium, where he went 6-1 in 2022.

The Leggett tree:Why Clemson baseball decided to tap into former coach Jack Leggett

Ben Blackwell

HARWICH -- 07/14/21 -- Orleans shortstop Ben Blackwell turns to complete a double play after forcing Chris Newell, of Harwich, at second.

Blackwell shined in 2022, his first season at Clemson after transferring from Dayton, where he was a first-team All-Atlantic 10 selection in 2021.

A shortstop, Blackwell hit. 327 in a team-high 223 at-bats last season while starting all 58 games for the Tigers.

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Geoffrey Gilbert

Clemson sophomore Geoffrey Gilbert (23) during the top of the sixth inning at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Gilbert carved out a 5-2 record with a 5.20 ERA last season in 19 appearances as a third-year sophomore.

A left-handed pitcher, Gilbert was a Freshman All-American following his initial season at Clemson when he had a 0.71 ERA in eight appearances in a COVID-shortened season. He was named “Mr. Baseball” in South Carolina as a senior at Bishop England High School in Charleston.

Brock Porter

Orchard Lake St. Mary's pitcher Brock Porter throws against Forest Hills Northern Friday, June 17, 2022, during the MHSAA D1 semifinal at McLane Stadium in East Lansing. Orchard Lake St. Mary's won 9-0. Porter threw a no-hitter.

Porter, a 6-foot-4 righty who two weeks ago was named the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year, is one of the top recruits in program history.

Clemson was the first school that Porter visited, and he left impressed. The pitcher out of St. Mary Prep in Orchard Lake, Michigan, committed to Clemson in June 2019 and says he’s “still committed and super excited to be a part of that team.”

That may be, but if he’s a top-10 pick, all bets are off.

Jim Callis of MLB.com has Porter going at No. 9 to the Kansas City Royals.

Tristan Smith

Fourteen athletes signed with prospective colleges during a signing day ceremony held at Boiling Springs High School Tuesday morning, May 3, 2022. Baseball player Tristan Smith signed with Clemson University.

Another future star that Clemson could lose to the draft is Tristan Smith, a 6-2 lefty out of Boiling Springs High, where he was a five-year starter. The South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year is projected to be picked 45th overall by MLB.com. 

Smith posted a 6-1 record and 0.54 ERA with 120 strikeouts in 51.2 innings last season; he also batted .337 with 28 RBIs.