The 2026 MLB draft is shaping up to be a showcase for the University of Tennessee, as Baseball America’s latest Top 500 prospect list reveals a remarkable concentration of Vol talent.
Top Rankings
At the very top of the rankings, Jared Grindlinger stands as the crown jewel of the class, sitting at No. 17 overall and drawing attention for his advanced hitting approach and power potential.
Close behind, Trevor Condon occupies the No. 20 slot, celebrated not only for his bat but also for his defensive prowess in the outfield, making him one of the most well‑rounded high‑school prospects in the country.
Tegan Kuhns, a draft‑eligible sophomore, is projected to be an early‑round selection this summer, adding to the excitement surrounding the Volunteers’ pipeline.
The list also highlights standout performers such as Cole Koeninger, a right‑handed pitcher with a high ceiling on both sides of the ball, and Garrett Wright, who led the Vols with a .348 batting average and a .439 on‑base percentage last season.
Power hitters like Henry Ford, who smashed 20 home runs and drove in 57 runs in a single campaign, and Kaiden McCarthy, a right‑hander from Vermont Academy ranked No. 44 by Perfect Game, further enrich the mix.
Additional arms include Gary Morse, a 6‑foot‑8 pitcher placed at No. 140 by Baseball America, and Shawn Sullivan, a right‑hander from Walsh Jesuit in Ohio who checks in at No. 220.
Infield and Catching Depth
The catching corps boasts Sean Dunlap, touted as one of the nation’s top prep catchers and ranked No. 41 by Perfect Game, while Cody Boshell offers versatility as a first baseman and left‑handed pitcher.
Outfield and infield depth is reinforced by players such as AJ Curry, a 6‑foot‑3, 205‑pound outfielder ranked No. 278, and Reese Chapman, who burst onto the scene with a .317 average, 11 homers and 46 RBIs.
The Volunteers also retain promising talent like Stone Lawless, who will return for a fifth year, and Jaxson Wood, a 5‑foot‑9 shortstop from Hoover, Alabama, who sits at No. 59 in the Perfect Game rankings.
Beyond individual rankings, the breadth of talent — spanning position players, pitchers, and specialists — positions Tennessee as a formidable force in the upcoming draft, with analysts predicting multiple selections in the early rounds.