Gavin Kilen named SEC's top transfer by Baseball America

Tennessee newcomer Gavin Kilen has been named the best incoming transfer to the Southeastern Conference ahead of the 2025 campaign by Baseball America.

Kilen, who comes to Knoxville by way of Louisville via the transfer portal, projects to be the program’s starting second baseman this spring and an instant top-of-the-order candidate.

“It came as a bit of a surprise when former Louisville shortstop Gavin Kilen opted for the transfer portal this offseason, especially after he put up career numbers as a sophomore, including a .330/.361/.591 line, 23 doubles, nine home runs and 41 RBI,” the publication wrote. “Kilen ended up with reigning national champion Tennessee, where he joined incumbent Volunteers shortstop Dean Curley to make one of the best middle infield tandems in the nation. Kilen demonstrated improved feel for the barrel as a second-year player and should contend for all-conference honors despite joining the most talent-rich league in Division I.”

Kilen was considered the No. 3 player in the transfer portal per On3 and No. 1 by Baseball America last summer. He chose Tennessee over LSU and Florida. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound junior is draft eligible in 2025 and has seen his stock soar this past spring. He has two years of eligibility remaining in Knoxville. 

The infielder picked up third-team All-ACC honors in 2024, finishing with a .330 average to go along with nine home runs, 41 runs batted in, 39 runs scored, 23 doubles and three triples. He led his squad in hits, doubles and total bases while his 23 doubles were tied for fifth-most in program history. As a sophomore, Kilen started 54 of his 56 games at shortstop.

As a freshman in 2023, Kilen played in 46 games with 38 starts across the middle infield – 30 at second base and eight at shortstop. He logged a .265 batting average with nine doubles, a triple and 18 RBI. Prior to attending Louisville, Kilen was selected in the 13^th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox and was a member of the 2021 U18 national team. Kilen was also a 2022 Perfect Game All-American and took part in the 2022 MLB High School All-Star Game.

Kilen was in town for his official visit during Tennessee’s Super Regional series-win over Evansville that punched its ticket to the College World Series.  

Tennessee opens the 2025 season at home against Hofstra on Friday, February 14 and has already secured a pair of top-five preseason nods.

Tennessee Vols in the 2025 Preseason Rankings

D1 Baseball – No. 4
Perfect Game – No. 5

Tennessee Vols 2025 Preseason Accolades

SS Dean Curley: Second-Team All-American (Perfect Game) | No. 8 sophomore in country (Perfect Game)
RHP Nate Snead: Second-Team All-American (Perfect Game) | No. 38 junior in country (Perfect Game)
3B Andrew Fischer: No. 14 junior in country (Perfect Game)
RHP AJ Russell: No. 30 junior in country (Perfect Game)
INF Gavin Kilen: SEC Top-Transfer (Baseball America) | No. 25 junior in country (Perfect Game)
LHP Liam Doyle: No. 55 junior in country (Perfect Game)
C Cannon Peebles: No. 92 junior in country (Perfect Game)
OF Hunter Ensley: No. 2 senior in country (Perfect Game)
UTL Alex Perry: No. 73 senior in country (Perfect Game)
UTL Jay Abernathy: No. 3 Best Freshman (Baseball America) | No. 6 Best Freshmen (Perfect Game)
UTL Levi Clark: No. 21 Best Freshman (Perfect Game)
RHP Tegan Kuhns: No. 46 Best Freshman (Perfect Game)
RHP Anson Seibert: No. 52 Best Freshman (Perfect Game)
MIF Manny Marin: No. 56 Best Freshman (Perfect Game)