Tennessee lands star NC State freshman Cannon Peebles from transfer portal

Tennessee coach Tony Vitello knows he might have some defections in his freshman signing class to the MLB Draft. One easy way to combat that? Fill some roster needs via the transfer portal.

On Tuesday evening, Vitello and the Volunteers did just that.

NC State catcher Cannon Peebles announced his intention to transfer to Tennessee after entering the transfer portal following his 2023 campaign. He’s an excellent get for Tennessee.

A freshman in 2023, Peebles was named an NCBWA First Team Freshman All-American as a designated hitter, while he was also named an ABCA Atlantic All-Region Second Team member as a designated hitter. He also earned 2023 ACC All-Freshman Team honors.

Cannon Peebles will bring some instant juice to the Tennessee lineup.

In his first collegiate season he hit .352 at the plate, securing 50 hits and 50 RBI. He had 11 doubles, a triple and 12 home runs while drawing 27 walks on the season.

From Ashland, Va., he’ll bring a strong bat to a Tennessee program that just reached Omaha and the College World Series for the second time in the last three years under Vitello.

Tony Vitello highlights draft risks in signing class

While the Cannon Peebles addition is a big one for the Volunteers, how the MLB Draft unfolds could also have a significant impact on the 2024 season at Tennessee.

Vitello has a loaded recruiting class, one that could easily become a victim of the MLB Draft near the top.

Outfielder Cole Eaton will definitely be on the radar in this year’s MLB Draft, as will pitchers Matthew Dallas, Brayden Sharp and Derek Schaefer.

Vitello didn’t want to single out many guys, but he did highlight some position groups to keep an eye on when it comes to freshman draft risks.

“I’m sure the chat rooms for those folks that spend time in there — don’t spend too much time — but there’s a handful of pitchers that certainly are getting attention and then some guys in particular in the infield spot that will get a lot of attention,” Vitello said. “But it’s a group where we were able to spend a lot of time and finally do some bragging on the program, or have a base of who we are as a program to recruit with and it can be a special group just character wise but also talent.”

Some of the infielders in Tennessee’s class that could draw interest from Major League ball clubs are Blake Grimmer, Dean Curley, Ariel Antigua, Camden Bates and Hunter High.

The 2023 MLB Draft will be held from July 9-11 in Seattle, leading into the MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park.