Kavares Tears gets full slot value after signing with San Diego Padres
Former Tennessee Baseball outfielder Kavares Tears has signed with the San Diego Padres for $525,000, according to MLB Pipeline senior writer Jim Callis. Tears got the full slot value for the No. 134 overall pick, selected by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the MLB Draft earlier this month.
Tears was one of eight Tennessee players picked in the draft — the most draft picks from any school in the country — and one of seven picks in the first five rounds. All eight players have signed professional contracts with the clubs that selected them.
Tears during his breakout junior season had a .324 batting average with 20 home runs and 62 RBI while walking 45 times and scoring 73 runs. Entering the draft he was ranked as the 66th best prospect by MLB.com.
“Tremendous athlete,” Callis said on the MLB.com broadcast of Day 2 of the draft. “You got a potential 20-20 guy here with arm strength … if he keeps hitting and keeps getting better, he’s a five-tool player.”
Eight Tennessee players selected in 2024 MLB Draft
The eight Tennessee players signed MLB contracts for more than $12 million combined, with five players getting contracts worth $1 million or more.
Christian Moore was the No. 8 overall pick to the Los Angeles Angels and Blake Burke went at No. 34 overall to the Milwaukee Brewers, giving the Vols two first-round picks for the second time in three years.
Billy Amick (No. 60 overall, Minnesota Twins) and Dylan Dreiling (No. 65, Texas Rangers) both went in the second round and Drew Beam (No. 76, Kansas City Royals) was the second pick of the third round. After Tears was picked at No. 134 overall, AJ Causey (No. 138, Kansas City Royals) was next in the fifth round. Aaron Combs (No. 229, Chicago White Sox) went in the eighth round.
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Kavres Tears: ‘The things WE accomplished will never be forgotten’
Tears, the Lewisburg, Tenn., native, posted recently on Instagram to pay his respects to his coaches, teammates and Tennessee fans during his three seasons with the Vols:
“The past 3 years at UT has felt like a crazy rollercoaster ride. But there’s not one second of that ride I would wanna miss. The things WE accomplished will never be forgotten (love us or hate us, you watched).
“Coaches, thank y’all so for taking a kid from ‘the middle of nowhere’ and showing him loyalty, hard work, and discipline. On top of that, thank y’all for never losing hope in me and always having my back.
“My brothers, I don’t know what to say. I love each and every one of y’all boys with my whole heart. The relationships and bonds we’ve made over the years will never fade. I couldn’t thank God enough for the group of guys I was able to learn and laugh with. Love y’all (for life).
“Vol Nation, thank y’all for being there when we needed you most. The support and love you guys show is unmatched and no doubt the best in the country.”
