The 2026 MLB Draft delivered a surprise for the St. Louis Cardinals as they selected Tennessee sophomore left‑hander Tegan Kuhns with the first‑round pick, cementing his rise from a promising college arm to a top professional prospect.
A breakout season
Kuhns capped his collegiate career with a dominant 2026 campaign that saw him lead the Volunteers with 106 strikeouts while posting a 3.56 earned‑run average and a 1.19 WHIP, numbers that helped him earn All‑SEC second‑team honors.
The left‑hander was recognized twice as the SEC Pitcher of the Week, a testament to his consistency on the mound, and he delivered a memorable eight‑inning, complete‑game shutout against Alabama that highlighted his poise under pressure.
Future prospects
His most electrifying outing came against Texas, where he fanned a career‑high 15 batters over seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and a single walk, a performance that underscored his ability to dominate elite competition.
Kuhns joins an exclusive group as the fifth Tennessee pitcher in the past decade to hear his name called in the first round, a milestone that reflects both his personal excellence and the growing prominence of the Volunteers' program.
The Cardinals will now look to develop Kuhns alongside a talented rotation that includes prospects such as Chase Dollander and Garrett Crochet, while fellow draftees Liam Doyle, Marcus Phillips and James Adkins add depth to the organization’s pitching pipeline.
With a proven track record of high strikeout rates, command of a sharp breaking ball and a competitive mindset, Kuhns is projected to move quickly through the minor leagues, potentially making his major‑league debut within a few seasons if development milestones are met.