Baseball America names four Vols as Preseason All-Americans

Four Tennessee Vols have been named Preseason All-Americans by the Baseball American publication ahead of the 2024 campaign, which is 11 days away. The number (4) is tied for the most preseason All-Americans by any program in the country, according to BA.

The Tennessee representatives include starting pitcher Drew Beam (first team), first baseman Blake Burke (second team), and second baseman Christian Moore and third baseman Billy Amick on the third team.

Tied for the most Preseason All-Americans in the country according to @BaseballAmerica!@drewbeam_ @blakeburke_ @Moore10Chris @billyamick#GBO // #OTH pic.twitter.com/VHtZcscoVh

— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) February 5, 2024

Beam made every weekly start in 2023 (17), going 9-4 over 84.1 innings pitched with an ERA of 3.63. The right-hander struck out 88 batters, walked 23 and threw one seven inning complete game. His three postseason starts were stellar, combining for 17.2 inning pitched of four-run baseball where he allowed 17 hits with 26 strikeouts and only three walks. He was also named the SEC Co-Pitcher of the Week on May 23.

The former Blackman quarterback was also named to the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team, becoming the first player in program history to be invited to the showcase multiple times since VFL J.P. Arencibia back in 2005 and 2006. Beam was also listed at second for ‘Best Changeup’ and ‘Best Command’ amongst Baseball America pitching superlatives.

“Beam’s starter resume is unimpeachable and unmatched in the 2024 college draft class. In two seasons with Tennessee he posted a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts and 160.1 innings with a solid 22.5% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate,” the publication said of Tennessee’s ace. “Beam has a real five-pitch mix, but mostly establishes the zone with a mid-90s fastball and gets his misses with a curveball and changeup. His 6-foot-4, 208-pound frame further add to his starter traits. 

Burke moved into the starting role at first base for the Vols in 2023 after launching 14 home runs over just 95 at-bats as a true freshman the year before. The 6-foot-3, 235 pounder added 16 home runs as a sophomore with 43 RBI while hitting .280 at the plate. He was previously named a Perfect Game and Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American in 2022 as well as being a part of the SEC All-Freshman Team.

Moore, who was also named to the Stars & Stripes Collegiate National Team this past summer, hit .304 as a sophomore for Tennessee in 2023, finishing second on the team with 17 home runs and 50 RBI. The second baseman led the squad with a .444 on-base percentage, 16 stolen bases and 66 runs scored. He was Tennessee’s best hitter against left-handed pitching with an average well north of .320 and his postseason production was solid as he delivered a key two-run single in a [historic] win over Stanford in the College World Series and registered a 7-for-10 clip in the Clemson Regional.

Over the course of a breakout sophomore campaign in 2023 with Clemson, Amick racked up All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA and Perfect Game after leading the Tigers with a .413 batting average, 17 doubles, .464 on-base percentage and a .772 slugging percentage. He was second on the squad with 13 home runs and 63 RBI and committed only three errors defensively.

Aside from the All-American honors, Amick was named first-Team All-ACC for his efforts this past season and was 1-for-3 against the Volunteers in the thrilling 6-5 Tennessee win in 14 innings over Clemson in regional play. Tennessee made the slugger a priority when he entered the transfer portal on June 16.

Tennessee begins the 2024 campaign at the Shriners Children’s College Showdown at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX on the weekend of Feb. 16-18. The Vols are slated to play Texas Tech, Oklahoma and Baylor over that weekend.

Vols in the Preseason Polls

NCBWA – No. 5

Baseball America – No. 8

D1 Baseball – No. 9

Perfect Game – No. 11

Preseason accolades for Vols

RHP Drew Beam: 1st Team All-American (Baseball America), 2nd Team All-American (D1 Baseball, Perfect Game), Top-100 MLB Draft Prospects (D1 Baseball)

INF Billy Amick: 2nd Team All-American (D1 Baseball, Perfect Game), 3rd Team All-American (Baseball America), No. 7 Transfer (D1 Baseball), Top-100 MLB Draft Prospects (D1 Baseball)

INF Christian Moore: 3rd Team All-American (d1 Baseball, Perfect Game, Baseball America), Top-100 MLB Draft Prospects (D1 Baseball)

1B Blake Burke: 2nd Team All-American (Baseball America)

Tennessee named the No. 3 Transfer Portal Class (D1 Baseball)

Tennessee named the No. 11 Freshmen Class (D1 Baseball)