The 2026 MLB Draft is set to arrive in three weeks, a timeline that has the Tennessee baseball program focused on shaping its 2027 roster.
Roster Foundations
Josh Elander and his staff are working diligently to piece together a lineup that blends proven talent with emerging prospects, holding onto most of the top players from last season while evaluating a wave of transfer commits and high‑school signees.
Blake Grimmer, a cornerstone of last year’s offense, remains a central question; his decision to return for 2027 could add depth and power to the Vols’ batting order.
Draft Visibility
Scouting services have begun publishing their boards, giving a clearer picture of where Tennessee’s prospects might land. MLB Pipeline’s top 200 draft board features seven prep signees, one transfer commit and three current players, while Perfect Game’s top 300 board lists eight prep signees, two transfer commits and four current players. Among the notable names highlighted are Jared Grindlinger, Tegan Kuhns, Kaiden McCarthy and several others including Shawn Sullivan, Cole Koeninger, Jack Dugan, Sean Dunlap, Tyler Putnam, Henry Ford, Jake McCoy, Garrett Wright, Cannon Grant, Ricky Ojeda, Jaxson Wood and Brandon Arvidson.
Strategic Outlook
The convergence of draft projections and roster decisions positions the Vols to either bolster their college roster or watch several standouts transition to the professional ranks. The coming weeks will determine the final composition of a squad that aims to remain competitive in the SEC.