Way too early look at the Tennessee 2026 baseball team

Tennessee’s 2025 baseball season came to a close on Sunday evening at Baum-Walker Stadium as Arkansas handled the Volunteers in super regional play. It was the fifth-straight super regional appearance for the Vols and the seven in program history.

Knowing there’s A LOT to be determined between now and 2026 Tennessee baseball Opening Day, we are going to take a Way Too Early glance at what the 2026 roster could look like.

Remember, there’s a lot to be determined in terms of roster size (with the house settlement passing), transfer portal (additions and subtractions) and the Major League Baseball Draft. This will not be an official look ahead, but just something to go on. Also, not every single player will be listed below as this is NOT a position preview.

So, with that being said, let’s have some fun.

Incoming Recruiting Class

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Tennessee’s 2025 signing class is the absolute best work Tony Vitello and his staff can show thus far. That’s saying something, too. Now, several of the top-flight signees will go pro and take professional contracts. We’ll know for sure next month, but expect at least 4-5 to not be retained.

The Vols have the No. 2 recruiting class in the country, per Perfect Game. Seven Tennessee signees/commits are currently listed in MLB Pipeline’s Top 200 Draft Prospects. Holding on to guys like SS Billy Carlson, LHP Kruz Schoolcraft, LHP Cameron Appenzeller, SS Steele Hall and SS Ethan Moore is going to be tough. But when you stack solid class after solid class, you’re still going to end up with plenty of talent.  

Transfer Portal

As of this writing, Tennessee has lost just three players to the transfer portal: INF Jack Jones, INF Robinson Martin and LHP Bryson Thacker. There will be more.

Tennessee is going to be busy this week hosting prospects on campus. The Vols hosted Virginia first baseman/right fielder Henry Ford last week and have already picked up the commitments of right-handed pitcher Clay Edmondson (UNC Asheville), Mason Estrada (MIT) and Bo Rhudy (Kennesaw State). The first two are draft risks.

Junior College

Tennessee has earned the commitments of two junior college prospects already in right-handed pitcher Matt Barr (SUNY Niagara) and INF Tyler Myatt (Walters State). The former is very much a draft risk as he appears inside the Top 200 MLB Pipeline Draft Prospects. Myatt, an East Tennessee native, is also a draft risk – though it’s more of a coin flip with his attention being on the Orange & White for now.   

Current players who will/could be lost to the draft

Tennessee is set to lose several players to the MLB Draft next month, as most elite programs will around the country. It’s a testament first to their hard work, and second to this staff in terms of their development in getting them ready to make that next step. Talk about a great recruiting tool that has been put into use already.

As it stands right now and barring some unforeseen circumstance, Tennessee will lose these players to the Major League Baseball Draft this summer: LHP Liam Doyle, INF Gavin Kilen, INF Andrew Fischer, RHP Marcus Phillips, INF Dean Curley, RHP AJ Russell, RHP Nate Snead, RHP Tanner Franklin, LHP Brandon Arvidson and C Cannon Peebles.

UTL Dalton Bargo and OF Reese Chapman have another year of eligibility but could easily be drafted this summer. OF Hunter Ensley has exhausted his eligibility and will pursue a professional career.  

The Returners – Pitching Staff (2025 Stats)

Tennessee is set to lose a ton on the mound and will certainly be looking to add via the transfer portal. A left-handed starter is amongst the top wish list items, as is reliable, versatile arms – like has already been addressed via the portal and from the junior college ranks.

Still, the Vols are set to return a bevy of hurlers who saw some action in 2025. Remember, some of these guys will enter the portal.

Lefty Dylan Loy leads the group as he tied for the SEC-lead in appearances this year. There’s versatility there, but he was used as a bridge guy in 2025. Could his role expand in 2026?

Righty Brayden Krenzel will have some options next spring. He was one of the bullpen arms relied on every weekend this season for the Vols, but starting could be in his future. Fellow righty Tegan Kuhns is also an interesting piece, as he spent most of the season as Tennessee’s No. 3 starter, but did not appear in any of the six postseason games this summer.

There’s some solid returners who are expected back, but plenty of room to add on from the recruiting class and the transfer portal.

LHP Luke Payne (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 APP)
RHP Tanner Wiggins (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 APP)
LHP Brayden May (0-0, 0.00 ERA), 4 APP)
RHP Austin Hunley (2-0, 2.79 ERA, 12 APP)
RHP Thomas Crabtree (2-0, 3.00 ERA,  12 APP)
LHP Michael Sharman (3-1, 3.18 ERA, 17 APP)
RHP Austin Breedlove (3-0, 3.42 ERA, 25 APP)
LHP Dylan Loy (4-0, 3.97 ERA, 33 APP)
RHP Brayden Krenzel (3-0, 4.68 ERA, 21 APP)
LHP Andrew Behnke (2-0, 5.11 ERA, 14 APP)
RHP Tegan Kuhns (2-4, 5.40 ERA, 15 APP)
LHP Brayden Sharp (1-0, 6.75 ERA, 8 APP)
RHP Ryan Combs (0-0, 7.36 ERA, 13 APP)
RHP Nic Abraham (1-0, 8.31 ERA, 6 APP)
LHP Aidan Hayse
RHP Tate Strickland
LHP Dane Bjorn
RHP Anson Siebert
RHP Ben Martin
RHP Stratton Scott
LHP Ryler Smart
RHP Andrew DuMont

The Returners – The Position Players (2025 Stats)

Tennessee will lose all but one from the starting infield from the 2025 campaign (counting Cannon Peebles, who is likely to be drafted) as Manny Marin will return. The Vols could also say goodbye to the entire outfield, depending on what happens with Dalton Bargo and Reese Chapman in terms of the draft.

As seen in the ninth inning on Sunday against Arkansas, the cupboard is not bare as Jay Abernathy and Chris Newstrom are ready to roll. Both can play infield and outfield, but Newstrom should be in the starting conversation for the outfield next spring while Abernathy will start somewhere, whether it be in the outfield or middle infield.

Ariel Antigua, the defensive wizard, can play anywhere on the dirt and he saw plenty of action this season as both a defensive and injury replacement. Levi Clark will be a starter next season, but his spot in the field is to be determined. Stone Lawless is next in line behind the plate. Blake Grimmer’s bat is coveted, but still needs to find a spot on the field. It also appears that Colby Backus has one more year of eligibility.    

INF Manny Marin: .283, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 23 R
*OF Reese Chapman: .273, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 44 R (Draft Risk)
*UTL Dalton Bargo: .272, 14 HR, 40 RBI, 47 R (Draft Risk)
OF Chris Newstrom: .351, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 15 R
UTL Hunter High: .333, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R
UTL Blake Grimmer: .318, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 14 R
1B/OF/C Levi Clark: .289, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 30 R
C/1B Stone Lawless: .288, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 17 R
OF/MIF Jay Abernathy: .282, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 38 R, 8 SB
INF Ariel Antigua: .192, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 15 R
OF Colby Backus: .188, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 7 R
INF Dane Morrow
C Brooks Wright
OF Jaxon Walker
OF Brennon Seigler
OF Beau Revord