​Clemson right-hander Aidan Knaak, the team’s ace for the last two seasons, heard his name called in the 2026 MLB Draft when he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth round, at No. 163 overall, on July 12. The pick came with a slot value of $425,400. Entering the draft, MLB.com ranked him as the No. 210 prospect, a reflection of his high ceiling and the solid body of work he had put together at Clemson.
Knaak, 21, pitched primarily as Clemson’s ace in 2025 and again in 2026. He etched his name into Clemson lore by becoming the first Tigers pitcher to earn first-team All-ACC honors and the first in program history to record 100 strikeouts in each of his first two seasons. During the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, he also joined a prestigious club by reaching 300 career strikeouts, a milestone he achieved during the 2026 season. His development as a pitcher has been marked by a varied and reliable arsenal: a 91-93 mph fastball that sits in the mid-90s at times, a changeup that can dart from the 70s to the mid-80s, a mid-80s slider, and a low-80s curveball. That mix, paired with a low three-quarters to slightly over-the-top delivery, helped him remain effective against opposing lineups through his first two seasons, contributing to a 14-2 record in 2024 and 2025.
Knaak’s freshman and sophomore success helped elevate him into the national spotlight as a top-100 draft prospect heading into 2026, as reflected in MLB.com’s rankings. However, the 2026 season presented its challenges. He posted a career-worst 5.81 ERA, allowed a career-high 11 home runs, and struck out a career-low 88 batters. Opponents also posted a .292 batting average against him, the highest mark of his career. Despite those numbers, there remains confidence in his ability to rebound. If he can recapture the consistency and effectiveness of his earlier seasons, improved delivery and command should allow him to realize his potential as a pro pitcher.
Over his Clemson career, Knaak finished with a 16-8 record and a 4.29 ERA across three seasons, totaling 306 strikeouts in 231 innings. Such a track record underscores both the high ceiling and the competitive toughness he brings to the Brewers’ organization. Scouts and evaluators will be watching closely to see if he can regain the pacing and control that made him a dominant college pitcher earlier in his career and translate that success to the professional level.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at DCarter@usatodayco.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00. This article originally appeared on Greenville News, exploring the pros and cons of Milwaukee selecting Clemson’s Aidan Knaak in the 2026 MLB Draft, with an emphasis on how the pick could shape the Brewers’ pitching depth going forward.