Tennessee baseball is ramping up toward the 2026 season under coach Tony Vitello.
The Vols have their first scrimmage of fall baseball on Sept. 25 before their first public scrimmage in Chattanooga on Oct. 6.
Here is what to know about the Vols in fall practices:
Tennessee baseball has known commodities as starting pitcher options
Tennessee always gives plenty of pitchers starting opportunities in the fall, but it has early frontrunners.
Landon Mack (6-5, 4.03 ERA) was the headlining pitcher of the transfer class after a huge freshman season at Rutgers. Tegan Kuhns (2-4, 5.40 ERA) is back after a sterling summer in the Cape Cod League. Lefty Brandon Arvidson (2-0, 4.19 ERA) returned to Tennessee despite MLB Draft options.
Virginia transfer Evan Blanco (3-5, 6.23 ERA) also has starting experience.
Vols overhauled pitching staff in transfer portal, recruiting
Tennessee addressed its pitching needs in the portal by adding left-handed reliever Mark Hindy (1-0, 4.66 ERA) from Duke and right-handed relievers Bo Rhudy (2-0, 3.16 ERA) from Kennesaw State and Brady Frederick (8-2, four saves, 2.67 ERA) from ETSU.
The trio should pair with sophomore Brayden Krenzel (3-0, 4.68 ERA) to form the backbone of the bullpen. Krenzel likely will get starting opportunities. Nic Abraham (1-0, 8.31 ERA) is a returner.
Cameron Appenzeller enters as one of the top freshmen in college baseball. Perfect Game ranks the 6-foot-5 lefty as the No. 2 freshman following the 2025 MLB Draft.
Righty Ethan Baiotto is a candidate for innings. UT has often had a freshman rise into a notable role on the pitching staff. Jackson Estes, Chandler Day and Sawyer Deering are early candidates to be that freshman this year.
Tennessee has good catching depth with Garrett Wright joining roster
The Vols added Garrett Wright (.406, eight HRs) from Bowling Green in the portal and one of the best high school catchers in the nation in Trent Grindlinger to the catching group.
Wright is an elite defensive catcher who can also play center field.
Levi Clark (.289, 10 HRs) and Stone Lawless (.288) are returning options at catcher. Both can play first base. Clark also could be an outfielder.
Tennessee’s infield has a lot to sort through
Sophomore Manny Marin (.283, three HRs) could get the first crack at shortstop while the infield is going to be a constant rotation in the fall.
Chris Newstrom (.351, five HRs) and Jay Abernathy (.282, eight steals) both are viable second base options. Newstrom also can play third. Both will also get time in the outfield. Ariel Antigua (.192) remains a good defense-first infielder.
Blake Grimmer (.318, four HRs) and Walters State product Tyler Myatt are big-swinging lefties who can play infield and outfield. Finley Bates (.300) and prep standout Ethan Moore will play in the middle infield.
First base will see an assortment of players again, including Clark and freshmen Nathan Eisfelder and Evan Hankins.
Henry Ford, Reese Chapman will have a say in Tennessee outfield
Henry Ford (.362, 11 HRs) transferred to Tennessee from Virginia and Reese Chapman (.273, eight HRs) returned after going undrafted in the MLB Draft. They could occupy two starting outfield spots.
Ford can play all three outfield positions and will get a look at the corner infield spots.
Abernathy and Wright are center field choices. Newstrom played the corner spots as a freshman but is athletic enough to play center. Junior Hunter High (.333) can play outfield and infield. Jaxon Walker, a former top recruit, and Brennon Seigler redshirted in 2025.
Rice transfer Blaine Brown (.292, 10 HRs) is a two-way player who can play in the outfield and is a lefty pitcher. Freshman Taylor Tracey also is a two-way threat.
Three Tennessee pitchers sidelined during fall
Pitcher Anson Seibert underwent an elbow procedure in early September and will miss fall practice while recovering. He is expected to return for the start of the 2026 season.
Freshman pitchers Jax Bishop and William Haas are both out during fall practices.
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.