CLEMSON BASEBALL

Clemson’s Monte Lee seeking bigger things ahead for Tigers

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Clemson baseball coach Monte Lee heads into year two with big expectations and significant changes ahead, including moving Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year Seth Beer from the outfield to first base.

Lee believes Beer, a freshman who led the ACC with 18 homers and finished with a team-leading .369 average, would make the Tigers (44-20) a better team if he switched to the infield. Lee is excited about what is ahead for the Tigers, who entered the year with several question marks but won their first ACC Tournament crown in 10 years. Clemson also hosted an NCAA Tournament regional for the first time since 2011.

“We will always be able to use the 2016 team when we’re talking about mental toughness and competitiveness, playing together through the good teams and the bad times,” Lee said. “It will be a measuring stick.”

Few were sure what to expect in Lee’s first season replacing Hall-of-Fame coach Jack Leggett, who took the Tigers to six College World Series trips in 22 seasons. But Clemson had slipped in recent seasons, losing eight of its previous 10 NCAA Tournament games before this season and ending 238th nationally in fielding percentage in 2015.

Lee worked to tighten up the defense — Clemson improved to 62nd in fielding this defense — and find consistency in pitching behind starter Charlie Barnes and versatile Pat Krall, who filled whatever need the Tigers had out of the bullpen or starting games. The result was 44 wins, more than the Tigers had since their last CWS appearance in 2010.

There was still inconsistency in pitching this season, which showed up in two NCAA losses to Oklahoma State last week. Still, Lee was pleased with Clemson’s character.

“This team did it with a lot of moving parts,” Lee said.

Look for more movement this offseason.

Along with switching up Beer’s position, infielder Chris Williams will move to catcher to fill the expected vacancy after junior Chris Okey was selected 43rd overall by Cincinnati in the MLB draft Thursday. Krall will get worked into the starting rotation, Lee said, this fall to give Clemson a 1-2 punch for weekends next season.

Lee said coaches will work with Beer to improve his strength and speed. Beer came right from high school in Suwanee, Georgia, last December to Clemson’s practice and did not go through the months of summer and fall weightlifting and conditioning most first year players do. Lee expects it will also help Beer become more of a leader.

“I can’t wait to get back on the field,” Lee said.