Tanner Franklin on pitching for Tennessee: “It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid.”

The first transfer portal commitment for the reigning national champion Tennessee baseball team became official on Tuesday as East Tennessee native Tanner Franklin made his pledge public on social media.  

For the former Kennesaw State right-handed pitcher, who entered the transfer portal on June 17, playing for the Orange & White is nothing short of a dream come true.

“I mean, it’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was a kid. It still doesn’t feel real yet, but it’s a pretty cool opportunity to have. I’m so excited,” Franklin told Volquest. “I just felt like God was telling me my time at Kennesaw was up and I needed to find a different place. I ended up in the portal and Tennessee reached out.

“I was like ‘alright, God – if this is what you want me to do – I’ll do it.’ It was pretty awesome how it all worked out.”

The former Mr. Tennessee Baseball Award winner was a standout Patriot for Jefferson County at Dumplin Valley. As a senior in 2022, Franklin totaled 101 strikeouts while producing an ERA of 0.95. Seeing his hometown Vols compete for – and win – the College World Series this past month, it was pretty unique from his seat.  

“It was awesome to be a fan and watch. I was on the phone with some of my friends while watching it,” the pitcher reflected. “It was awesome to see them finally do it after going there three times in four years. Seeing them finally pull one out. It was fun to watch.”

Now, Franklin gets to be a part of that program and looks to bring some added depth to the mound.

“I think I bring a lot of great energy. I think I’m a pretty motivated guy,” the new commit said of himself. “I think I can be a big piece in high-leverage innings. I think I can be a pretty dominant pitcher who can boost the staff pretty well.”

Franklin will bring a high-velocity arm with a fastball that sits 97-99 miles per hour. He also throws a cutter with a breaking curveball and chose the Vols over in-state foe Vanderbilt. Playing for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League this summer, Josh Elander was in attendance this past weekend and the two had a chance to catch up.

The 6-foot-5, 240-pound hurler compiled a 4-1 record with a 5.60 ERA over 21 appearances with one start and five saves in 2024. The sophomore completed 27.1 innings pitched with 43 strikeouts and 27 walks, while opponents were hitting .212 against the righty. In 2023 as a true freshman, Franklin owned an 8.18 ERA over 13 appearances with two starts and 11 innings pitched.  

He’s got two years of eligibility remaining and will be draft eligible this time next summer in 2025. Knowing he gets the opportunity to work with a legend in the industry – Frank Anderson – he’s thrilled to take a step.

“You see every year he brings in people you’ve never heard of and turns them into draft picks. His reputation is very high,” Franklin said of the pitching coach. “I know a couple of pitchers on the team and everything they have told me has been amazing. I’m just excited to get up there and get to work. Take that next step.”  

Though he didn’t attend the university straight out of high school, Franklin has gained some valuable experience at the collegiate level. He’s also learned some hard lessons along the way, just as any athlete does when taking the step up in competition. Still, he’s better for it and knows there’s even more room to grow.

“I think in high school, I was kind of like a newborn giraffe. I had long arms and long legs. I started throwing a little harder. I thought I figured pitching out. I got to college and I realized I didn’t figure it out at all,” Franklin admitted. “It was a learning process during college and I feel like I’ve matured a lot as a pitcher and a person. Me in high school compared to me now is a totally different person. I think I’m in a better spot mentally, physically and as a pitcher.”

With high velocities coming from the right side, there’s a place for the new Tennessee commit in the bullpen for next season. As long as he locates, there’s opportunities there for a local product who looks to add on to a program seeking a repeat of it all in Omaha.

“They knew I was a local kid and knew that I was a fan. I talked to them out of high school a little bit, but it didn’t work out,” Franklin concluded. “They just told me they had a feeling I wanted to be here and that they wanted me here in a big way. They think I can add a lot and develop me to take that next step as a pitcher to become that dominant arm that I want to be.”

“That was really all I needed to hear.”

Franklin becomes the first commit out of the transfer portal for the Vols this summer and the second addition overall, joining JUCO hurler Thomas Crabtree who committed prior to the College World Series.