Tennessee baseball set program records in the MLB Draft in 2022. The Vols did it again in 2023 and repeated the cycle in 2024.
The 2025 MLB Draft class could be the best one yet under coach Tony Vitello as records set in the past three drafts could fall with Tennessee expected to have a flurry of first-round picks and a boatload of overall picks.
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Here are the records the Vols could break or tie July 13-14:
Tennessee should have three first-round picks, tying a record
Tennessee has three players expected to be picked in the first round, which would match the program record set in 2007.
Pitcher Liam Doyle likely will surpass Garrett Crochet as the highest-drafted pitcher under Vitello after he had one of the best seasons by a pitcher in Vols history. Crochet was picked No. 11 by the Chicago White Sox in 2020. Shortstop Gavin Kilen could challenge Christian Moore as the highest-drafted hitter a year after Moore was picked No. 8 by the Los Angeles Angels. Kilen has special hitting skills.
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First baseman Andrew Fischer is the third likely first-round pick after a well-rounded offensive season.
UT had three players picked in the first 39 picks in 2007. There are 43 first-round picks this season.
Tennessee had two first-round picks in 2022 and again in 2024.
Tennessee has a path to a program-record of total picks
Tennessee has eight players tabbed as top-150 prospects by MLB.com, which means eight are likely locks to be picked.
The 2022 class set the record with 10, which is attainable for the Vols.
Brandon Arvidson is the top prospect outside of those eight players.
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Outfielder Reese Chapman should be picked in the middle rounds for his tools. Dalton Bargo is a likely pick, especially given a team could plan to turn him into a catcher. Cannon Peebles is a switch-hitting catcher, which makes him valuable. Hunter Ensley is the ultimate player for an organization to have. If those four are picked, Tennessee will have set a record with 13 picks.
The UT record prior to 2022 was eight players selected in the 1992 draft, which featured 50 rounds.
Tennessee could break a year-old record for picks in the first two rounds
Tennessee had four players picked in the first two rounds in 2024. Moore and Blake Burke were selected in the first two rounds before Billy Amick and Dylan Dreiling were taken in the second round.
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With Doyle, Kilen and Fischer, the Vols will be on the cusp of matching that record. AJ Russell and Marcus Phillips both could be taken in the first two rounds, which cover the first 65 picks of the draft. Russell is coveted for his elite fastball that flummoxes hitters. Phillips is a unique prospect as a pitcher with solid college experience and success but still has his best baseball to come.
Tennessee has another deep class of pitchers
Tennessee set a record when it had six pitchers picked in the 2023 MLB Draft.
It should match that record. Doyle will be first off the board. Russell and Phillips won’t last long. Arvidson should be an early pick for his late-season rise, deceptive delivery and pitch mix. Nate Snead and Tanner Franklin are two of the hardest-throwing pitchers in the draft and will be coveted for their arms.
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UT had five pitchers chosen in both the 1992 and 1996 drafts.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball MLB Draft could be record-setting for Tony Vitello