University of Tennessee sets record with eight players drafted in MLB’s first three rounds, leading all schools.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn — In day one of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft in Atlanta, eight University of Tennessee players were selected in the opening three rounds. 

UT Athletics called is a record setting night with Liam Doyle, Gavin Kilen, Andrew Fischer and Marcus Phillips being chosen in the first round. The Volunteers led all schools with the most players selected in the opening three rounds. Tennessee’s seven players picked in the first two rounds led all programs and was a school record, as well.

Pitcher Liam Doyle was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round and fifth overall. He is the first UT player to be selected by the Cardinals since Benito Santiago, who was picked in the 34th round of the 2018 draft.

Shortstop Gavin Kilen was picked 13th overall by the San Francisco Giants. He is the second-highest drafted position player to be selected under Coach Tony Vitello behind Christian Moore.

Third baseman Andrew Fischer was chosen 20th overall by the Milwaukee Brewers. According to UT Athletics, Fischer was the only player in the country to reach base in every game.   

Pitcher Marcus Phillips was picked 33rd overall by the Boston Red Sox.  He is the fourth Tennessee pitcher to be taken in the first round under Vitello and pitching coach Frank Anderson, according to UT Athletics. Phillips finished the year with a 3.90 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP and 98 strikeouts over 83 innings.

Pitcher AJ Russell, shortstop Dean Curley and pitcher Tanner Franklin were picked in the second round. 

Russell was picked 52nd overall by the Texas Rangers. During his three seasons at UT, Russell finished with a 2.70 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched while holding opposing hitters to a .179 batting average, according to UT Athletics. 

Curley was selected 64th overall by the Cleveland Guardians. He was a freshman All-American and earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors in 2024 before posting an impressive sophomore season in 2025 in which he started all 65 games and batted .315 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs, all of which ranked top four on the team, according to UT Athletics. 

Franklin was picked 72nd overall by the St. Louis Cardinals. The Jefferson City, Tennessee, native, boasts a 100-plus MPH fastball and was one of the Vols most relied upon relievers in 2025, according to UT Athletics. 

Pitcher Nate Snead was picked 105th overall in the third round by the Los Angeles Angels. Snead has 14-2 record and 11 saves in 52 appearances during his two years on Rocky Top after starring at Wichita State as a freshman in 2023.