News Summary
Clemson baseball strengthens its roster by securing Ryan Wideman, an All-American outfielder from Western Kentucky, through the transfer portal. Wideman’s impressive stats from the previous season mark him as a key addition as the Tigers prepare for the next season. Standing at 6-foot-5 and boasting a .398 batting average, he is expected to fill the gap left by projected MLB draft pick Cam Cannarella while helping elevate the team’s competitiveness in upcoming tournaments.
Clemson, SC – Clemson baseball has officially bolstered its roster by acquiring Ryan Wideman, an All-American outfielder from Western Kentucky, through the transfer portal. Wideman’s commitment to the Tigers, made on June 11, 2025, marks a significant addition for the team as it prepares for the upcoming season.
Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 204 pounds, Wideman is recognized not only as a powerful hitter but also as a top player in the transfer portal, highlighted by On3 rankings. He becomes the sixth player to join Clemson since the conclusion of their season on June 1, where they faced a defeat against Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament’s Clemson Regional.
In the 2025 season, Wideman demonstrated exceptional talent, playing all 60 games for Western Kentucky and leading the team in several key offensive metrics. He achieved a remarkable batting average of .398, hit 10 home runs, recorded 36 extra base hits, and drove in 68 runs (RBIs). Additionally, he excelled on the bases, achieving 45 stolen bases in 47 attempts. His impressive final offensive statistics included a .466 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage of .652, culminating in an OPS (On-base Plus Slugging) of 1.118.
Western Kentucky enjoyed a successful season, finishing with a 46-14 record and making it to the Oxford (Miss.) Regional of the NCAA Tournament. Wideman’s outstanding performance did not go unnoticed, as he was named both the Conference USA Player and Newcomer of the Year, and received All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game.
Wideman, who has one year of eligibility remaining, is also draft-eligible for the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, scheduled for July 13-14, 2025, where he is currently ranked No. 155 on MLB’s top 200 draft prospects list. Prior to his time at Western Kentucky, he spent two seasons at Georgia Highlands College, where he boasted a .423 batting average and hit 22 home runs, earning junior college All-American honors.
This strategic transfer is particularly vital for Clemson as Wideman is expected to fill the shoes of their star center fielder, Cam Cannarella, who is projected to be drafted in the early rounds of the upcoming MLB Draft. Other notable players joining Clemson through the transfer portal include outfielder Ty Dalley from Mercer, infielders Bryce Clavon from Georgia, Tyler Lichtenberger from Appalachian State, and pitchers Hayden Simmerson from Catawba College and Ariston Veasey from Alabama.
On the flip side, Clemson has experienced some losses, with five players entering the transfer portal this offseason. The Tigers concluded their previous season with a strong 45-18 record and secured the No. 11 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, marking their third consecutive regional appearance under head coach Erik Bakich. Despite these achievements, the team has had a challenging time advancing past the NCAA regional rounds, having not reached the College World Series since 2010.
As Clemson prepares for the next season, the acquisition of Wideman signals a commitment to enhancing their competitiveness and striving for a breakthrough in the NCAA Tournament.
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Additional Resources
- Greenville Online
- Tigernet
- Post and Courier
- Clemson Wire
- On3
- Wikipedia: Clemson Tigers Baseball
- Google Search: Ryan Wideman
- Google Scholar: Ryan Wideman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- Google News: Clemson Baseball
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