The University of Tennessee Volunteers baseball team is navigating its latest offseason, following their fifth consecutive super regional appearance under coach Tony Vitello. With important departures expected via the MLB Draft, the Vols are also looking to integrate a promising group of returning sophomores and a highly-rated recruiting class.

Here’s a breakdown of the team’s roster composition,potential MLB draftees,transfer portal activity,and incoming recruits as they prepare for the 2026 season.

Key Returning Players for Tennessee baseball

A significant number of freshmen gained valuable experience in 2025, and they are expected to play crucial roles as sophomores in the upcoming season.

levi Clark,Manny Marin,Chris Newstrom,and Jay Abernathy could form the core of the infield. Clark offers versatility, capable of playing catcher, first base, or left field. Marin is projected to be the starting shortstop. Newstrom can play second base,third base,or in the outfield,while Abernathy could feature at second base or center field. Blake Grimmer and Stone Lawless will also compete for playing time as third-year sophomores.

“Tennessee rolled a group of freshmen into the lineup in 2025 and those players will be key cogs as sophomores.”

Tegan Kuhns is expected to be a key weekend starter. Brayden Krenzel, who emerged from the bullpen as a freshman, could transition into the starting rotation as a sophomore. Anson Seibert, a top-rated signee in the 2024 class, is returning after missing the previous season due to elbow surgery.

Infielder Ariel Antigua and pitcher Michael Sharman are also expected to return.

Tennessee’s MLB Draft Prospects

The Tennessee Volunteers have consistently produced a strong contingent of MLB Draft picks in recent years, and this year is expected to be no diffrent.

Liam Doyle and Gavin Kilen and Andrew Fischer are considered potential first-round talents. Dean Curley, AJ Russell, Marcus Phillips, and Brandon Arvidson also have the potential to be selected in the early rounds.

Tanner Franklin and Nate Snead are also expected to be drafted, potentially marking the second time in three seasons that the Vols have had six pitchers selected. Dalton Bargo, Reese Chapman, Hunter Ensley, and Cannon peebles are other potential picks who could push Tennessee’s total number of draftees above 10.

Transfer Portal Needs for the Volunteers

Following the expected departures of doyle and Phillips, Tennessee needs to bolster its starting pitching rotation through the transfer portal. The team also needs to add left-handed pitching to compensate for the transfer of Dylan Loy and to provide additional versatility in the bullpen.

The Vols would also benefit from adding left-handed hitters,particularly those with power,to take advantage of the dimensions of Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Tennessee currently has five players committed through the transfer portal.

Brady Frederick from ETSU, Bo Rhudy from kennesaw State, Clay Edmondson from UNC Asheville, and Mason Estrada from MIT have all committed to Tennessee. Edmondson and Estrada are eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft and are considered potential draft risks.

Garrett wright, an athlete from Bowling green who can play catcher and in the outfield, has also committed.

Top Incoming recruits for Tennessee Baseball

tennessee is bringing in another highly-regarded recruiting class, although a significant number of these players are likely to be selected in the 2025 MLB Draft.

Shortstops Billy Carlson and Steele Hall are projected to be early first-round picks and are considered top-15 prospects by MLB.com. Shortstop Ethan Moore, ranked as the No. 98 prospect,is also expected to be drafted high enough to sign.

Kruz Schoolcraft (No. 16) and Cameron Appenzeller (No. 57) are the top two left-handed prep pitchers and have been on MLB Draft boards for some time. tennessee has a history of successfully bringing top commits who are also draft risks to campus. This season, that could be the case with either Schoolcraft or Appenzeller.

Catcher Trent grindlinger, ranked No. 109, is likely to make it to Knoxville.

Pitcher Ethan Baiotto and outfielder Taylor Tracey are also highly-regarded prospects, while pitcher Tyler Wood has seen an increase in velocity and could be drafted.