Clemson baseball names Griffin Mazur assistant coach

Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich didn’t go far to fill the newly-created third paid assistant coach spot. Bakich has elevated Griffin Mazur to an assistant coach role, Clemson announced on Monday.

Mazur served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Tigers in 2023 under Bakich. He previously played under Bakich at Michigan in 2021.

“We are thankful that the NCAA made this change that allows us to elevate Griffin Mazur to an assistant coach role,” Bakich said in a statement. “Griffin has a bright future in coaching, and we’re very excited to have him in this role, where he can now be more involved with recruiting and evaluation. He will continue to assist in the same areas that helped us have a successful first season in 2023.”

Mazur worked with Clemson catchers in 2023. As Bakich mentioned, he will now take on other responsibilities, too.

In addition to playing at Michigan, Mazur also played four seasons at UC Irvine. He was named a captain for the Wolverines in 2021.

It is no surprise that Bakich promoted Mazur and wants to keep the same staff in place after Clemson had an excellent season in his first year in charge of the program in 2023. The Tigers got hot the second half of the year and won the ACC Tournament. Clemson was the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament but was upset by Tennessee in the Clemson Regional as its season came to a disappointing end. Still, there are plenty of reasons for optimism.

Clemson star Caden Grice the top two-way player in college baseball

One of the big reasons it was such a successful first year for Bakich was because of two-way star Caden Grice.

Grice got the job done for Clemson at the plate and on the mound all season. The junior was honored for his production as a two-way player last month as he was named the John Olerud Two-Way Player-of-the-Year Award winner.

The lefty is the first Clemson player to win the award, which was first presented in 2010. It is given annually to the top two-way player in college baseball.

Grice had a magical year for the Tigers, going 8-1 with a 3.35 ERA on the mound. He struck out 101 batters in 78 innings and opponents hit only .196 against him.

In addition to being Clemson’s top pitcher, he was also the Tigers’ top power hitter. At the plate, Grice hit .307 with 18 homers and 68 RBIs, leading Clemson in both of those categories.

“He’s a special player. I mean his God-given ability is better than most,” Clemson coach Erik Bakich said earlier this season. “That’s how you draw up a baseball player right there — 6-6, 250 that’s fast and explosive and can do both ways. … I think he can do both at the highest level. He’s a very special player.”