Newest Portal Addition Says Atmosphere at Clemson 'Unmatched'

Erik Bakich is proving he knows how to navigate the transfer portal.

Clemson’s head coach has added several key pieces via the portal since the end of the season, with one of the latest additions being one of the biggest.

Michael Gillen, a transfer out of Seton Hall, announced a commitment to the Tigers late Friday. It was a whirlwind recruitment for the right-handed pitcher, who just entered the portal on July 1.

Last week, Gillen visited Clemson for the first time, and there was nothing the rising junior did not like.

“Oh, it’s awesome,” Gillen told The Clemson Insider. “My favorite part was the coaches obviously. Great people. I feel like the college town, the atmosphere and fans are just unmatched, And with people that actually care about at all.”

One of the more attractive things was the opportunity to play for Bakich, who just led the Tigers to a Super Regional for the first time since 2010.

“He fires me up,” Gillen said. “He’s always excited. He’s definitely got good energy about him. He’s great and he cares about people and you can tell.”

Add in the fact the he will get to learn under the tutelage of pitching coach Jimmy Belanger and the decision was an easy one for Gillen.

“He’s awesome too,” he said. “He’s got plans for everyone. I really feel like I believe in him and I really trust that he knows what he’s teaching to help me get to the next level.”

Gillen has been a fixture out of the Seton Hall bullpen the past two seasons, mostly on the backend in high leverage situations. As a sophomore, he earned first-team All Big East honors, posting the fourth-lowest ERA (2.31) in the league. His ERA against Big East competition was even lower at 1.25.

During his two seasons with the Pirates, Gillen pitched 65.2 innings with an ERA of 1.51. He had a 5-1 record, four saves and 70 strikeouts. He walked only 19 batters and held opponents to a .225 batting average.

Now Gillen plans to bring that production to a Clemson bullpen that likely needs to replace closer Austin Gordon after he was selected in the fourth round of the MLB Draft by the Angels.

While he might be a new face in the Tigers’ dugout, Gillen brings plenty of veteran experience, as well as leadership skills.

“Just bringing the energy every day,” Gillen said. “Helping to keep everyone excited. Ready to get after it and hopefully play well and accomplish some goals.”

And when asked what some of those goals were, the answer was clear and concise.

“Win everything and go to Omaha.”

Photo courtesy of Michael Gillen on X (formerly known as Twitter)

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