Draft Day One in Philadelphia
The 2026 MLB draft opened with its first four rounds in Philadelphia, drawing a crowd of scouts, coaches and fans eager to see which college standouts would hear their names called.
Among the prospects, former Tennessee pitcher Tegan Kuhns stood out as the only Volunteer selected in the opening round, hearing his name announced by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 32nd overall pick.
Standing at 6‑foot‑3 and weighing 193 pounds, Kuhns brings a right‑handed fastball that has already impressed SEC coaches, having logged 146 strikeouts over 117.2 innings in the 2025‑26 season while posting a 4.13 ERA.
His collegiate résumé includes 24 starts and 30 appearances, a shutout, a complete game and two weekly SEC Pitcher of the Week recognitions, earning him a spot on the 2026 All‑SEC second team.
The draft’s second day will continue with rounds five through twenty, offering additional opportunities for other former Volunteers such as Henry Ford, Bo Rhudy and Garrett Wright, who have also been selected by major league clubs.
Tennessee’s pitching coach Josh Elander and head coach Tony Vitello watched the proceedings closely, hopeful that the exposure will translate into stronger professional prospects for their players.
The Philadelphia venue, steeped in baseball history, provided a fitting backdrop for the first round, where the Cardinals’ selection of Kuhns was met with applause from the Tennessee contingent.
As the draft moves into its second day, attention will shift to the remaining Vol draftees and the potential impact they may have on their new organizations, with the Cardinals aiming to develop Kuhns into a frontline starter.