Tennessee baseball is going through another offseason of turnover after its fifth straight super regional appearance under coach Tony Vitello.
The Vols are expected to have one of the best MLB Draft classes in program history, while returning a solid core of rising sophomores and bringing in one of the best recruiting classes in the nation.
Here is what to know about Tennessee’s roster, its portal needs, its recruiting class and more:
Levi Clark, Manny Marin highlight Tennessee baseball returners
Tennessee rolled a group of freshmen into the lineup in 2025 and those players will be key cogs as sophomores.
Levi Clark, Manny Marin, Chris Newstrom and Jay Abernathy could form the starting infield. Clark can catch or play first or left field. Marin is likely the starting shortstop. Newstrom can play second or third or in the outfield. Abernathy could play at second or center field. Blake Grimmer and Stone Lawless will be in the mix as third-year sophomores.
Tegan Kuhns will be called upon to be a top weekend starter. Brayden Krenzel emerged as a freshman and could move from the bullpen to the rotation as a sophomore. Anson Seibert missed the season after having elbow surgery but is returning as the top-rated signee in the 2024 class.
Infielder Ariel Antigua and pitcher Michael Sharman are likely back.
Which Tennessee players will be taken in the MLB Draft?
Tennessee has been heavily represented in the MLB Draft in each of the past four drafts and that will be the case again.
The Vols have first-round talents including pitcher Liam Doyle and infielders Gavin Kilen and Andrew Fischer. Dean Curley, AJ Russell, Marcus Phillips and Brandon Arvidson all have early round potential.
Tanner Franklin and Nate Snead will be selected, which would mean the Vols have six pitchers drafted for the second time in three seasons. Dalton Bargo, Reese Chapman, Hunter Ensley and Cannon Peebles are potential picks that could push Tennessee to have more than 10 players drafted.
What are Tennessee baseball’s transfer portal needs?
Tennessee needs to add experienced starting pitching after losing Doyle and Phillips. It also needs to add left-handed pitching to replace transfer Dylan Loy and get versatility in the bullpen.
The Vols also would benefit from adding left-handed bats, including some with power to play at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
Tennessee has five players committed in the portal.
ETSU pitcher Brady Frederick, Bo Rhudy of Kennesaw State, Clay Edmondson of UNC Asheville and Mason Estrada of MIT have committed. Edmondson and Estrada are eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft and are considered draft risks.
Bowling Green athlete Garrett Wright also committed. Wright can catch and play in the outfield.
Who are the top incoming recruits for Tennessee baseball?
Tennessee has another elite incoming recruiting class, which carries with it the risk and likelihood that a good number will be selected in the 2025 MLB Draft.
Shortstops Billy Carlson and Steele Hall are locks to be picked early in the first round. Both are top-15 prospects, according to MLB.com. Shortstop Ethan Moore is the No. 98 prospect and should 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 long been on MLB Draft boards. Tennessee has had success in getting a top commit and draft risk to campus almost every season. If it happens again this season, it could be with one of the two lefties.
Catcher Trent Grindlinger is ranked No. 109, but he is likely to make it to Knoxville.
Pitcher Ethan Baiotto and outfielder Taylor Tracey are big-time prospects. Pitcher Tyler Wood had an uptick in velocity and could be drafted.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson or Bluesky @bymikewilson.bsky.social. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.