Tennessee Baseball Position Preview: The Outfield

Tennessee baseball begins the 2025 journey later this week and veteran captain Hunter Ensley is no doubt the leader of this ball club. Ensley not only has to lead this team but also help break in a pair of new starting outfielders for a program that is coming off a national championship campaign.   

The UT outfield said goodbye to Dylan Drieling (Round 2, Rangers) and Kavares Tears (Round 4, Padres) – a duo that combined for 53 home runs, 137 runs batted in, 145 runs scored and six outfield assists while hitting .341 and .324 at the plate, respectively. That’s getting it done.

So, what will the 2025 version of the Tennessee outfield look like and who are some names fans need to keep an eye on?

The Tennessee Outfield

Projected Starters | RF:  Reese Chapman (JR) | CF: Hunter Ensley (R-SR) | LF: Jay Abernathy (FR)  
In the Mix: Colby Backus (R-SR), Dalton Bargo (JR), Levi Clark (FR), Chris Newstrom (FR), Jaxon Walker (FR), Brennon Seigler (FR)
Emergency Options: Manny Marin (FR), Hunter High (SO), Blake Grimmer (R-FR)

We’ll start with who we know all about and that’s Hunter Ensley in centerfield. The veteran, who will forever be remembered as a Vols legend thanks to a pair of incredible plays last summer in Omaha, finished the 2024 campaign with a .296 average over 68 games and 216 at-bats. The outfielder slugged 12 homers, 15 doubles, drove in 48 runs and scored 45 times. Ensley was instrumental in the final two months of the season and was one of the key reasons why Tennessee was the last team standing.  

Reese Chapman has all the potential in the world and even got some early opportunities last spring, but couldn’t hold on to regular playing time. Still, he’s gotten a lot of reps under his belt thanks to some stellar summer ball over his career and still hit for a .274 average over 106 at-bats in 50 games (32 starts) with the Vols in 2024, launching seven homers with 31 RBI and 22 runs scored. Chapman will be the starting right fielder for Tennessee and can slide over and play centerfield if needed. He made arguably the best outfield defensive play of preseason a few weeks ago while playing center.  

In what was an ongoing battle for the left field job all preseason with Colby Backus, it looks like freshman Jay Abernathy has taken hold of the spot as we get closer to Opening Day.

The true freshman has simply shined this offseason for Tennessee. He’s been everywhere on the base paths, stealing second and third base with ease, while making a handful of outfield assistant from left and centerfield. If Chapman’s extra-base hit robbing catch in centerfield this winter wasn’t the best defensive play of the offseason, it was Abernathy’s web gem at the wall in fall ball. Abernathy is one of the fastest players Vitello has ever had here at Tennessee and has some sneaky power from the left side. He’s a true leadoff candidate when in the lineup or could add punch to the bottom of the order. Abernathy played left field for the ‘starters’ during the Pizza Series and didn’t skip a beat.

Abernathy has received tons of hype entering the new year. Baseball America named him the No. 3 true freshman in the country while Perfect Game tabbed him at No. 6 in the same category. Abernathy can play the middle infield as well, coming up ranked as the No. 61 prospect in the country by Perfect Game.  

Backus has been a fan favorite since transferring from Walters State Community College a few years ago. He’s primarily been a reserve option for the Vols in two seasons at all three outfield positions, but has absolutely raked in Appalachian League summer ball each year. Last season, he was a backup option in centerfield and used as a pinch runner at times. Backus also gained additional at-bats, including a few starts, as the designated hitter while contributing a .387 average over 28 games (31 at-bats) with five homers, 12 RBI and 16 runs scored. He’s got a ton of power from the right side of the plate. Consistency will need to be found- especially in conference play – if he wants to find regular playing time in the outfield this spring. 

Other options to patrol the outfield turf this season at Lindsey Nelson Stadium include several utility players. Dalton Bargo can slide in and play left field when needed, though he worked mostly at first base (and catcher lately) this winter. Freshman Levi Clark, who is battling for the first base job (and backup catcher) can play corner outfield when his bat is needed in the lineup. Due to shallow (true) outfield numbers, freshmen Jaxon Walker and Brennon Seigler have played a lot this preseason for Tennessee and each has had some moments. Fellow freshman Chris Newstrom has focused more on outfield the past few weeks.

Like Abernathy, Clark is a bat that will find its way into the lineup a ton – whether at catcher, first base, left field or DH. He’s one to watch as the season moves along. Newstrom has also been extremely impressive from the freshmen bunch.