The University of Tennessee announced that a dozen of its rising baseball talent will disperse across a handful of prestigious summer collegiate circuits, joining teams in the Cape Cod League, the Appalachian League and the New England League as the 2024 season approaches its midpoint.
Cape Cod League Highlights
Among the most anticipated destinations is the Cape Cod League, where the Brewster Whitecaps will field three Vols alumni — Jay Abernathy, Blaine Brown and Landon Mack — while the Orleans Firebirds are slated to welcome pitchers Cam Appenzeller and Brayden Krenzel.
Abernathy, who posted a .236 batting average with three home runs, 16 RBIs and 36 runs scored in 53 games last year, will look to translate that production into a higher‑profile setting, while Brown’s .240 average, 13 homers and 42 RBIs in 43 appearances suggest a power surge that could make him a key middle‑order threat.
Mack, who battled arm soreness that forced him to miss the final three weeks of the collegiate season, finished at 4‑4 with a 4.67 ERA and will aim to regain his early‑season form on the mound for Brewster.
On the other side of the league, Trent Grindlinger is set to suit up for the Harwich Mariners, where his .345 average, eight homers and 29 RBIs from the previous campaign earned him a reputation as one of the league’s most consistent hitters.
Appalachian and New England League Deployments
The Appalachian League will also see a trio of freshmen — Will Haas, Jax Bishop and Nate Eisfelder — join the Johnson City Doughboys, while catcher Cash Williams prepares to wear a Kingsport Axmen uniform, giving the Vols a deep bench of talent in a developmental environment.
Meanwhile, freshman pitcher Sawyer Deering has earned a spot with the Ocean State Waves in the New England League, where his debut could add another arm to a pitching staff already bolstered by Deering’s collegiate experience.
Coach Tony Vitello emphasized that the exposure to these elite summer circuits not only sharpens individual skills but also reinforces the Vols’ recruiting narrative, positioning Tennessee as a pipeline for top collegiate talent heading into the next academic year.