Tennessee baseball was well represented in the 2025 Major league Baseball Draft over the past two days. With current players, transfer portal commits, junior college commits and high school signees, Tennessee witnessed 18 players getting their name called.
With that comes some big-time wins, head scratching questions, a few tough losses and some noteworthy stats from the past two days. Here’s the biggest highlights and Tennessee storylines from the MLB Draft.
The Wins
The draft was a major success for Tennessee, all things considered. About as good as it could have been, to be honest.
Transfer portal commit (No. 1 per On3) Henry Ford went undrafted. Knowing he could play at Tennessee, Ford’s number was high and once night one passed, Tennessee really liked their chances there. His former Virginia teammate and fellow transfer portal commit, Evan Blanco, also went undrafted.
Left-handed prep signee Cameron Appenzeller was also passed over towards the top of the draft as his number was high. The Mariners took a flyer on him in the 19th round, but he’s coming to Knoxville to play for Tony Vitello and company. The goal was to get one of the two elite prep southpaws on campus. Mission accomplished.
Catcher signee Trent Grindlinger told Volquest midway through the draft that he was headed to campus. That was the plan all along for the top-100 prospect.
Ethan Moore, however, was not planning to come to campus, but flipped the script midway through after not being drafted well into Monday. He was later taken by the Reds in the 18th round, but his decision was already made to come to Knoxville. That was not expected, but good nonetheless.
Maybe the biggest win of the day was lefty Brandon Arvidson taking his name out of the draft on Monday and deciding to come back for another season at Tennessee. He has top-10 round talent, but was not selected in the grouping. The southpaw really came along for the Vols late in the season. A big-time win there for Tennessee.
The Losses
The biggest loss of note was nothing unexpected: elite left-handed hurler and high school signee Kruz Schoolcraft being selected in the first round at No. 25 overall by the Padres. That one was a 50/50 battle at best towards the end for Tennessee with the long-term thought of him going in the first round coming to fruition. There was hope there, but nothing unexpected.
Day two of the draft saw Tennessee’s portal haul picked a part to a degree. Most notably, two-way Bowling Green star DJ Newman was drafted in the 15th round by the Astros. It is unclear at the moment if he will sign or not, so that one is very much being watched. Newman was expected to make it to campus to play both the field and to pitch.
Portal righty Mason Estrada (MIT) was a 50/50 battle and will sign with the Dodgers after being picked up in the seventh round. Fellow portal (submarine) righty, Clay Edmondson, was drafted in the 14th round and will sign with the Padres. There was always a chance, but he was also expected to make it to campus.
Junior college right-handed pitcher commit Matt Barr was always expected to sign when drafted. So, his fifth round selection by the Twins is no surprise.
For as well as the draft went for Tennessee, these losses don’t hurt as much. Still time to see what Neman does as well.
The Questions
How in the world is Tony Vitello and staff going to make these numbers work? Some even out. Arvidson and Moore weren’t expected on the roster, but they could take the places of Estrada and Edmondson who were possible departures. Appenzeller cancels out Schoolcraft. They were never counting on Barr and we will just need to wait and see what Newman elects to do.
But what about Reese Chapman and Dalton Bargo who went undrafted? I think everyone was operating under the impression that they would be drafted and move on. It’s not impossible to see them back on the roster next year, but there’s going to have to be some maneuvering.
Also, can’t wait to se where Hunter Ensley signs. Some organization is getting a guy who can play.
Program records and/or notes
- Fourth-straight year of at least eight draft picks for the Tennessee
- On opening night, 2 draft picks shy of tying program record set in 2022.
- Program-record 4 draft picks in first round, tied Arkansas for most. 5 pitchers picked in first three rounds is a program-record.
- Led all SEC schools with 8 picks in first three rounds.
- Only program with seven picks in first two rounds, also a program-record.
- Frank Anderson now 4 first round pitchers at Tennessee (25 total)
- Tennessee had 2 first round pitchers drafted for the first time in program history
- 9 draft picks is the second-most in program history
Tennessee in the 2025 MLB Draft
Round 1 (No. 5 overall) Liam Doyle – Cardinals
Round 1 (No. 9 overall) Steele Hall (signee) – Reds
Round 1 (No. 10 overall) Billy Carlson (signee) – White Sox
Round 1 (No. 13 overall) Gavin Kilen – Giants
Round 1 (No. 20 overall) Andrew Fischer – Brewers
Round 1 (No. 25 overall) Kruz Schoolcraft (signee) – Padres
Round 1 (No. 33 overall) Marcus Phillips – Red Sox
Round 2 (No. 52 overall) AJ Russell – Rangers
Round 2 (No. 64 overall) Dean Curley – Guardians
Round 2 (No. 72 overall) Tanner Franklin – Cardinals
Round 3 (No. 105 overall) Nate Snead – Angels
Round 5 (No. 149 overall) Matt Barr (JUCO) – Twins
Round 7 (No. 225 overall) Mason Estrada (portal) – Dodgers
Round 14 (No. 430 overall) Clay Edmondson (portal) – Padres
Round 15 (No. 456 overall) DJ Newman (portal) – Astros
Round 17 (No. 522 overall) Cannon Peebles – Guardians
Round 18 (No. 534 overall) Ethan Moore (signee) – Reds
Round 19 (No. 572 overall) Cameron Appenzeller (signee) – Mariners
Source link
