All-American Billy Amick commits to Tennessee baseball from the transfer portal
Tennessee’s strong start to the 2023 college baseball transfer portal cycle continues as former Clemson Tigers standout Billy Amick committed to Tony Vitello and the Vols for the 2024 season. He chose Tennessee over Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder did a little of everything for Clemson in two seasons, primarily acting as the club’s designated-hitter for most of 2023 while serving as the starting first baseman when teammate Caden Grice took the mound. He also entered the collegiate game with catching experience.
Over the course of a breakout sophomore campaign in 2023, 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. He’s currently competing for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod League, where he is hitting north of .360 with nearly 50 plate-appearances.
Amick 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 and the Vols impressed while he was on a visit in Knoxville last week.
With another power bat added to the fold for 2024, Amick will be expected to compete for at-bats in the Volunteers lineup. He has versatility in his game and is a reliable option at first base with Blake Burke. He will also be an option at third base.
The slugger becomes Tennessee’s fifth addition from the transfer portal this offseason – joining former Jacksonville State right-handed pitcher AJ Causey, former Wichita State right-handed pitcher Nate Snead, former NC Sate catcher/designated hitter Cannon Peebles and former Wofford slugger Ryan Galanie. The window opened on May 30 and remains open for 45 days until July 13.
So far, the Vols have lost eight players to the portal, a list that includes pitchers Chase Burns, Jake Fitzgibbons, Hollis Fanning, Jacob Bimbi, Shawn Scott, Turner Swistak, infielder Logan Chambers and outfielder Alex Stanwhich.
Last offseason, Tennessee was active in the transfer portal by adding key components to the roster who would go on to compete in the College World Series. Those players included shortstop Maui Ahuna, third baseman Zane Denton, outfielder Griffin Merritt and pitcher Andrew Lindsey.
