Clemson Baseball’s Collin Priest Navigates Hamstring Injury, Expected to Return This Season
Clemson Tigers power hitter Collin Priest is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained prior to the 2026 season, but is expected to return to play later this spring. The injury has kept the sophomore infielder out of action since February, impacting his availability for the start of the season.
Priest’s Injury History and Recovery Timeline
Head coach Erik Bakich initially reported the injury on February 10th, stating Priest “pulled his hammy pretty good” and would be out for “quite a few weeks.”1 Bakich has since indicated Priest is progressing through rehab protocols, though he has not yet resumed running.1
The anticipated return timeframe is currently mid-to-late April, though Bakich cautioned that a premature return could risk a hamstring relapse.1
This is not Priest’s first injury setback. He also dealt with a wrist ailment in the fall of 2025 after running into the fence while chasing a foul pop-up.1 That injury required 4-6 weeks of recovery but did not necessitate surgery.1
Priest’s Performance and Potential
In his first season with the Tigers in 2025, Priest made a significant impact, contributing 12 home runs, 11 doubles and 52 RBIs in 59 games (57 starts).1 He earned third-team All-ACC honors and is currently ranked as the No. 38 ACC prospect for the 2026 MLB Draft.1
Prior to transferring to Clemson, Priest played his freshman season at Michigan in 2024, where he started 39 games and hit 11 home runs, maintaining a .445 on-base percentage and .279 batting average.1
Team Impact and Outlook
Despite Priest’s absence, the Clemson Tigers have started the 2026 season strong with a 12-1 record as of March 8, 2026, and have already surpassed their home run total from the same point last season.1
Bakich has expressed confidence in Priest’s eventual return, emphasizing his potential as a “real left-handed weapon” for the team.1 Other Clemson players, including pitchers Jacob McGovern and Dan Margolies, are also currently undergoing rehabilitation from injuries.1