Reese Chapman is returning to Tennessee baseball for the 2026 season, he told Knox News on July 24.
Chapman was the Vols’ starting right fielder in 2025. He hit .273 with 13 homers and 53 RBIs, but went undrafted in the 2025 MLB Draft, which led to his return to Knoxville.
The Colorado native has played in 192 games with 98 starts in three seasons at Tennessee. The 6-foot-1, 224-pound Chapman is hitting .273 with 22 homers and 91 RBIs in his career.
Chapman gives Tennessee a tenured and respected returner, providing a familiar presence in the outfield while much of the offense is turning over. Levi Clark and Manny Marin are the other returners who started more than half of UT’s games in 2025.
Tennessee had nine players picked in the 2025 MLB Draft. Chapman and outfielder Dalton Bargo went undrafted. Bargo is transferring to NC State, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told Knox News. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because Bargo has not announced his plans publicly.
Eight Vols were picked in the first three rounds with a program-record four chosen in the first round.
Pitcher Liam Doyle was selected No. 5 by the St. Louis Cardinals, which made him the highest-drafted player under Vitello. He was the third top-10 pick under Vitello, joining second baseman Christian Moore as the No. 8 pick in 2024 and Chase Dollander as the No. 9 pick in 2023.
Shortstop Gavin Kilen was selected No. 13 by the San Francisco Giants, which gave UT two first-rounders for the third time in four drafts. First baseman/third baseman Andrew Fischer was taken at No. 20 by the Milwaukee Brewers.
Pitcher Marcus Phillips was the No. 33 pick by the Boston Red Sox to set the record for first-round picks and give UT two first-round pitchers for the first time in program history.
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.