Aaron Combs selected by the White Sox in the eighth round of MLB Draft
Tennessee Baseball redshirt junior pitcher Aaron Combs on Monday was picked in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft, selected by the Chicago White Sox with the No. 229 overall pick.
Combs, a College of Central Florida transfer, appeared in 24 games this season, making two starts. Over 45.2 innings pitched, he had a 3.35 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He struck out 66 against 23 walks, giving up 53 runs (45 earned) on 93 hits. Opposing batters hit .200 against him with eight doubles and three home runs.
The Sarasota, Fla., native, started his collegiate career at Coastal Carolina before transferring to the junior college ranks at College of Central Florida.
He made his debut at Tennessee in 2023, pitching 21.0 innings over 26 appearances. He had a 3.00 ERA with a 4-0 record, striking out 39 while allowing just four walks.
Combs recorded the final out in Tennessee’s 6-5 win over Texas A&M to win the national championship at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. He appeared in three College World Series games, pitching 8.1 innings.
The slot value assigned for the No. 299 overall selection is $232.20K, according to MLB.com.
Vols set program record with four picks in first two rounds
Tennessee on Sunday night set a new program record with four players selected during the first two rounds of the MLB Draft.
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 Tennessee two first-round picks for the second time in the last three years.
The Vols now have 20 first-round picks in program history, with Tony Vitello responsible for five.
Billy Amick was the No. 60 overall pick, selected in the second round by the Minnesota Twins and Dylan Dreiling went No. 65 overall to the Texas Rangers.
Drew Beam (Royals) and Kavares Tears (Padres) were early Day 3 picks while AJ Causey was drafted by the Royals in the fifth round.
Tennessee’s previous MLB Draft history during the Tony Vitello era
Right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander went No. 9 overall to the Colorado Rockies a year ago, one of eight Tennessee players drafted.
Outfielder Drew Gilbert and third baseman Jordan Beck were both first-round picks in 2022, when a Tennessee record 10 players were drafted. Gilbert went at No. 28 overall to the Houston Astros while Beck went No. 38 to the Rockies.
Seven players were drafted in 2021 and three players were picked in the 2020 draft, which was limited to five rounds during the COVID pandemic.
Left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet was the No. 11 overall pick to the Chicago White Sox in the 2020 MLB Draft and on Sunday was named to the MLB All-Star game. He the majors in strikeouts (146) in his first season as a starter.
Tennessee had eight players drafted in 2018 and 2019, with two players picked in 2018 and six selected in 2019.
