One of Clemson baseball's top commits is now one of the first high school pitchers off the board in the MLB Draft.
Right-handed pitcher Blake Bryant, a longtime Clemson commitment from Citizens Christian Academy in Georgia, was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the No. 31 overall pick in Saturday's MLB Draft. The Competitive Balance Round A selection carries a slot value of $3,118,300 before bonus negotiations.
Bryant committed to the Tigers in December 2022 and has long been considered one of Clemson's top commits. His selection came well ahead of where many draft projections had him, as he was ranked No. 65 overall entering the weekend.
The 6-foot-6, 182-pound right-hander capped off an outstanding senior season by going 10-0 with a 0.22 ERA while striking out 121 batters over 64 innings. He also made an impact at the plate, hitting .368 with six home runs and 45 RBIs.
Bryant's rise over the past year was fueled by a combination of his size, athleticism and developing arsenal. His fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s and has touched 96 mph, while he also features a slider, curveball and changeup. Scouts believe there is still room for additional velocity as he continues to fill out his frame.
He also turned heads on the showcase circuit last summer, striking out all six hitters he faced during one appearance against top competition. Although he's still refining his command, Bryant has consistently shown the ability to throw strikes and has the upside to continue developing at the next level.
Bryant now faces a decision between beginning his professional career with the Diamondbacks organization or honoring his longtime commitment to Clemson.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson commit goes No. 31 overall, starts 2nd round of 2026 MLB Draft
