A closer look at Tennessee baseball's transfer class so far
Tennessee baseball’s run in the College World Series ending with the loss to LSU on June 20 hasn’t slowed the Vols down. Head coach Tony Vitello and his staff since then have worked quickly to add six commitments out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, including two new additions on Thursday.
Here’s a closer look at the big names that Tennessee has quickly reeled in:
AJ CAUSEY (JACKSONVILLE STATE)
Jacksonville State pitcher AJ Causey on June 23 became Tennessee’s first addition from the NCAA Transfer Portal. The right-hander, who played two seasons at Jacksonville State, was his team’s Friday night starter this season, going 5-2 with 5.07 ERA over 76.1 innings pitched. He had 89 strikeouts against just 23 walks. He started 14 times in his 15 appearances and had a 1.37 WHIP. As a freshman in 2022, Causey made one start in 22 appearances, going 4-4 with a 2.61 ERA.
CANNON PEEBLES (NORTH CAROLINA STATE)
North Carolina State freshman catcher Cannon Peebles on June 27 announced his commitment to Tennessee out of the NCAA Transfer Portal. He led NC State with a .352 batting average, .697 slugging percentage and .456 on-base percentage. He had a team-high 50 RBI and was second on the team with 12 home runs in 142 at-bats. He had 13 multi-hit games and 11 games with one or more RBI. Peebles made 30 starts at NC State as the Wolfpack’s designated hitter and nine more at catcher. He was an NCBWA First Team Freshman All-American and made the All-ACC Freshman Team.
NATE SNEAD (WICHITA STATE)
After making a big splash with Cannon Peebles, Tennessee was back in the portal business a day later, adding a commitment from Wichita State pitcher Nate Snead on June 28. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander, who has a fastball that has reached 100 mph, made 24 appearances out of the bullpen for Wichita State this season, striking out 53 and walking 17 over 42.2 innings pitched. Opponents hit .230 against Snead. He had a 1-2 record on the season with a 3.16 ERA. Snead has three years of eligibility remaining.
Top 10
- 1
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 2
Dan Lanning
Oregon coach getting NFL buzz
- 3Trending
UK upsets Duke
Mark Pope leads Kentucky to first Champions Classic win since 2019
- 4Hot
5-star flip
Ole Miss flips Alabama WR commit Caleb Cunningham
- 5
Second CFP Top 25
Newest CFP rankings are out
RYAN GALANIE (WOFFORD)
Tony Vitello and his staff got another huge commitment on Sunday in Wofford infielder Ryan Galanie. Over the last two seasons, Galalnie hit 34 home runs (17 home runs in each season) and had 129 RBI. He hit .383 this season and hit .329 as a junior in 2022. In 230 at-bats this season, Galanie had just 39 strikeouts. There’s a chance the Vols never get Galanie in uniform, though, depending on how he is picked in the MLB Draft.
BILLY AMICK (CLEMSON)
Clemson utility man Billy Amick was the next big name to join Tennessee’s NCAA Transfer Portal class, committing to the Vols on Thursday over Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina. During a breakout sophomore season in 2023, Amick was an All-American after leading Clemson with a .413 batting average. He had 17 doubles, a .464 on-base percentage and a .772 slugging percentage. He had 13 home runs and 63 RBI and committed just three errors defensively. He was First Team All-SEC to go along with the All American Honors from Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA and Perfect Game.
DALTON BARGO (MISSOURI)
Missouri’s Dalton Bargo became Tennessee’s second NCAA Transfer Portal commitment on Thursday afternoon when he announced his move to the Vols. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder hit .279 as a freshman the season. He had five home runs and 23 RBI. The lefty had 46 hits, including six doubles, and scored 25 runs. Bargo had four hits off the Vols, including a double and a home run, when Mizzou swept Tennessee to open SEC play in March.
