Clemson baseball will have #1 starter Aidan Knaak back in 2027

Clemson right-hander Aidan Knaak was the fifth-round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, but with the 5:00 PM Monday deadline to sign approaching, Knaak has decided to pass on the brats and return for more of the Cajun Cafe.

According to Jason Priester of The Clemson Insider, Knaak will not accept the Brewers’ latest offer and will return to Clemson with two years of eligibility remaining. That still gives him leverage in negotiations for the 2027 draft.

Record-wise, 2026 was the worst of Knaak’s three seasons at Clemson. After going a combined 14-2 in his first two seasons, Knaak dropped off to 2-6 with a career-high 5.81 ERA. He struck out 88 in 57.1 innings, an average of 13.8 per nine innings. He also allowed a career-high 11 home runs.

Knaak will rejoin Dane Moehler as part of the Tigers’ weekend rotation from last season.