Braydon Kersey, a standout two‑way player from Mercer, announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee baseball program on June 6, marking a significant addition to the Volunteers’ roster as they look to rebuild after a turbulent offseason.
The 6‑foot‑3 right‑hander earned national attention as a finalist for the John Olerud Two‑Way Player of the Year award, a testament to his dual-threat capabilities as both a power hitter and a reliable reliever.
A Dual‑Threat Arrival
During his senior season at Mercer, Kersey slashed .325/.438/.684 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI, while also posting a 2‑0 record, six saves and a 26‑to‑5 strikeout‑to‑walk ratio on the mound. His 3‑4 record, 5.52 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 45.2 innings across 22 appearances as a true freshman in 2025 further highlighted his versatility.
Tennessee’s coaching staff sees Kersey as a cornerstone for a lineup that lost several key contributors from last year’s team, including starting pitcher Evan Blanco and reliever Mark Hindy, both of whom are set to graduate.
The Volunteers will also retain a core group of returning arms such as Cameron Appenzeller, Landon Mack, Nic Abraham, Will Haas, Chandler Day, Jackson Estes and DJ McDowell, while freshmen like Taylor Tracey and Ari Bethea, along with sophomore Brayden Krenzel, are expected to provide depth in the bullpen.
Kersey’s arrival coincides with a broader influx of talent, as he becomes the first transfer to commit to Tennessee this offseason, and his blend of power hitting and closing‑game experience is projected to bolster both the offense and the late‑inning stability the Vols need as they aim for a strong 2027 campaign.