Tennessee well represented in Baseball America updated MLB Draft rankings

With the Major League Baseball Draft less than a month away, Baseball America has updated its top 500 prospects. Tennessee is littered up and down the list with 23 current players, high school commits, junior college pledges and transfer portal additions.

The Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year and Golden Spikes Award Finalist Liam Doyle headlines the list for Tennessee, checking in at No. 8.  

“When hitters step into the box against Doyle, they know his fastball is coming but there’s not much they can do about it,” the rankings said on Doyle. “He surged up draft boards by being the most dominant arm in the country, with a 2.91 ERA over 16 regular season starts and 89.2 innings. His 42.6% strikeout rate was the best mark in Division I.”

Tennessee’s top-signee, shortstop Billy Carlson, was one spot behind Doyel at No. 9 overall. He’s about as locked into the MLB Draft as a high school prospect can be who has committed to a college program.

“California area scouts have spoken with anticipation about Carlson since his freshman days at Corona High, when he was just starting to show glimpses of his precocious baseball talent,” Baseball America said. “Carlson is a lean and athletic two-way player who immediately stands out for his glovework and is regarded as one of—if not the best—defenders in the 2025 class.”

Steele Hall, another top-rated Tennessee signee, checked in at No. 15. Left-handed hurlers Kruz Schoolcraft (No. 20) and Cameron Appenzeller (No. 52) were the next two high school commits listed. Tennessee hopes to get at least one of these southpaws to campus in what would be considered a massive draft-win for the Vols.

Infielders Gavin Kilen (No. 25) and Andrew Fischer (No. 28) were also listed inside the top-30 while right-handed hurler AJ Russell (No. 37) and infielder Dean Curley (No. 39) ranked inside the top-50.

“Russell pitched to a minuscule 0.89 ERA as a freshman reliever for Tennessee in 2023 with an excellent 44.8% strikeout rate and 6.7% walk rate to go with it,” Baseball America said. “Expected to take on a bigger role as a starter in 2024, Russell’s season ended with an elbow injury and a June surgery to repair his UCL, which kept him out for most of the first half of 2025. When he did return to the mound, he pitched in abbreviated outings.”

Both of Tennessee’s junior college commitments made the cut as right-handed pitcher Matt Barr checked in a No. 223 and slugger Tyler Myatt was listed at No. 466. Top-transfer portal commitment for the Vols thus far – Henry Ford – was listed at No. 70.

Current transfer portal additions who are draft eligible but did not make the top 500 for Baseball America include right handed pitchers Clay Edmondson and Mason Estrada, as well as 2-way DJ Newman. Current players Cannon Peebles (catcher) and Dalton Bargo (utility) are draft eligible but did not appear on the list.

The 2025 Major League Draft will be held from July 13-14 with the first three rounds, competitive balance rounds and prospect promotion incentive selections taking place on the first day.

Updated Baseball America Top 500 Draft Prospects

No. 8 Liam Doyle
No. 9 Billy Carlson (commit)
No. 15 Steele Hall (commit)
No. 20 Kruz Schoolcraft (commit)
No. 25 Gavin Kilen
No. 28 Andrew Fischer
No. 37 AJ Russell
No. 39 Dean Curley
No. 52 Cameron Appenzeller
No. 68 Marcus Phillips
No. 70 Henry Ford (transfer portal commit)
No. 86 Nate Snead
No. 101 Trent Grindlinger (commit)
No. 122 Tanner Franklin
No. 143 Ethan Moore (commit)
No. 181 Reese Chapman
No. 204 Evan Hankins (commit)
No. 223 Matt Barr (JUCO commit)
No. 241 Brandon Arvidson
No. 269 Taylor Tracey (commit)
No. 415 Ethan Baiotto
No. 465 Tyler Wood (commit)
No. 466 Tyler Myatt (JUCO commit)