Forged: Camden Troyer found success through adversity
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. -- Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, Camden Troyer was raised in the backyard of ACC powerhouse Clemson University. With their 12 College World Series appearances, the Tigers have a baseball tradition that few schools can match. So when Troyer graduated from Powdersville High School and began
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. -- Growing up in Greenville, South Carolina, Camden Troyer was raised in the backyard of ACC powerhouse Clemson University. With their 12 College World Series appearances, the Tigers have a baseball tradition that few schools can match. So when Troyer graduated from Powdersville High School and began his collegiate career at Clemson, it was a special experience.
However, Troyer’s time at Clemson would be short-lived. After the Tigers missed the NCAA Tournament in his freshman season in 2022, head coach Monte Lee was fired, and the entire coaching staff departed. Troyer decided to enter the transfer portal and made the decision to transfer to Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia – a little further from home, but it was a place that he would find himself over the next three years.
“There was a lot of familiarity with Liberty,” Troyer said. “Having family connections to the school made my decision pretty easy. Everything kind of fell into place with the coaching staff. And I'm really thankful for my three years there.”
The transition to the Flames program proved extremely beneficial for Troyer. He was an everyday player across three seasons for Liberty, and turned into one of the best hitters in the Flames’ lineup.
Following a standout senior season in 2025 during which he hit .300/.406/.524 with a career-high 10 home runs and 44 RBIs, Troyer was selected by the Yankees in the 12th round of the First-Year Player Draft. By early August, he made his pro debut with the Renegades.
Playing 166 career games at Liberty, Troyer had the opportunity to work through the ups and downs of a season. Even in his first two years at Liberty, he had just a .250 batting average and an OPS below .800. But continuing to trust in the process and his development helped him tap into another level in 2025. That experience prepared him better for the grind of professional baseball.
“I think a big thing for me was being consistent,” Troyer said of what helped him unlock success in 2025. “Mentally and physically every day that I showed up to the field, developing good habits on and off the field, taking care of my body. Learning how to handle failure better was a big thing for me, especially this past year, contributing to the year that I had. And those things I carry with me, and now it's helping me here."
Overcoming another coaching change, a conference change, and inconsistency early on his time at Liberty, Troyer is no stranger to adversity. Some go through their first big obstacles in pro ball, but he doesn’t feel like he is one of them.
“Going through those rough times in college, finding who I am as a player, those types of things have really helped me,” Troyer said. “As opposed to being drafted out of high school and going through that now, I think I've been through the ringer. I know what I need to do when I'm struggling and what I need to do when I'm going well. I'm thankful for the four years that I had in college. Having been able to play most every day has really shaped me. And I’m thankful for that experience.”
AND IT'S GONEEEEEEE
— Hudson Valley Renegades (@HVRenegades) August 31, 2025
Camden Troyer hits his FIRST professional home run! Renegades lead 5-0 pic.twitter.com/BRgoG41eea
While Liberty isn’t a power conference school, it has more resources than a typical mid-major. During Troyer’s time there, they also consistently scheduled non-conference games against power conference opponents. This created built-in tests for Troyer and his teammates, without having to wait until an NCAA Tournament appearance.
“I'm thankful for Liberty because it has all the resources and it stacks up to any Power Five with the facilities,” Troyer said. “I think one thing that drew me there was the competition. Obviously Conference USA is not as strong as your typical power conference, but our mid-weeks we played a lot of good teams, including a lot of ACC opponents. I think being in a mid-major but still playing those schools and seeing that level of competition really helped me.”
After three seasons with the Flames and the draft selection by the Yankees, the 23-year-old embarks on a new chapter in his baseball career. Starting right away with Hudson Valley, Troyer is being challenged immediately. It is a big step up from the competition he was facing just a few months ago. But Troyer welcomes the test.
“I think one of the first things that jumped out to me was it's harder to get hits at this level,” Troyer said. “Everyone is better, faster, stronger defensively. You really got to earn every hit you get. And then pitching wise, it’s obviously a step up. Guys with better command, better stuff, and they're throwing strikes more. So, that's something that I'll get more comfortable with and get adjusted to more. But I enjoy it. I would have it no other way.”
In his first few weeks with the Renegades, Troyer has been impressed with the support system available to him. Coaches and staff are available to help whenever he needs it.
“We have these great setups in the cages [at Heritage Financial Park] that really help us prepare for at-bats during the games,” Troyer said. “And I think just having a bunch of resources, whatever we need, is amazing. Whenever I want to work and focus on something, people are here. They're flexible for me.”
Troyer isn’t alone in making his pro debut with the Renegades in the late summer. He is one of five Yankees 2025 signees to join Hudson Valley in August. Third round pick Kaeden Kent, fifth round pick Core Jackson, 15th round pick Jack Cebert, and nondrafted free agent Robbie Burnett all began their careers with the Renegades along with him. Sharing this special experience with a group is something that isn’t lost on Troyer.
“It's really fun,” Troyer said. “You're playing with guys that you know. A lot of them you played against in college. You've heard of them and they're great players obviously. And now you're here, you get to play with them and admire each guy for what they're good at. It's just fun to watch other guys play and pick their brain. Learning more about the game and just getting better with them.”