
Tennessee Volunteers See Massive Player Exodus in Offseason
A look at the 18 Tennessee baseball players who entered the transfer portal, where they are headed, and what it means for the program.
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A look at the 18 Tennessee baseball players who entered the transfer portal, where they are headed, and what it means for the program.

The University of Tennessee's baseball program has locked in eleven new transfer athletes, a move that could reshape the roster ahead of the upcoming season. While the commitments signal a bold recruiting push, several of the newcomers are also projected to hear their names called in the MLB draft.

Mario Trivella, a junior college transfer with a strong power-speed combo, pledged to the University of Tennessee, bringing two years of eligibility and a track record of 15 home runs and 50 RBIs.

Four Volunteer standouts have pledged to continue their careers at Jacksonville State, joining a program in transition under new head coach Travis Creel.

Chris Ramirez, a rising junior from Corona, California, has pledged to Tennessee baseball, bringing his .389 career average and defensive prowess to the Volunteers' roster.

The Vols have seen a wave of transfers, with standout sophomore Manny Marin and reliable pitcher Nic Abraham exiting, while prospects like Taylor Tracey and Hunter High remain central to the roster.
A look at how Tennessee's baseball program navigated the loss of 18 players, kept its top pitchers, and plotted a strategy for the upcoming 2027 season.

After a breakout 2026 season, utility player Blake Grimmer has elected to stay through 2027, providing stability for a Tennessee team reshaping its infield through the portal.

As the college baseball transfer window shut, Tennessee's coaching staff finalized a mix of returnees, departures and new additions ahead of the upcoming MLB Draft.

From professional contracts and top prospect status to coaching roles and retirements, the former Vols roster has taken diverse paths since capturing the 2024 national title.

After three seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers, including a 2024 national championship, Hunter High announced his commitment to Jacksonville State on June 28. The move adds to a broader exodus of SEC talent as the transfer portal reshapes college baseball rosters.

Hunter High, a Nashville native who delivered a game‑ending homer for Tennessee, has committed to Jacksonville State, where he hopes to build on a .343 career average and help the program chase another championship.

Hunter High announced his move to Jacksonville State, reflecting on a three‑year run at Tennessee that included a College World Series title and consistent batting averages above .300.

After a breakout junior season, Duncan chose Tennessee over other suitors, aiming to contribute immediately in centerfield.
On June 26, Travis Sanders, a 6‑foot‑2 junior infielder with a .369 career average at Baylor, declared his commitment to the University of Tennessee baseball program, highlighting a busy overhaul of the team’s roster.

A look at the players leaving, returning and arriving as the Vols prepare for a pivotal campaign.

The University of Tennessee will take part in the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic in Jacksonville, Florida, from February 26‑28, facing a field that includes Georgia Tech, Cincinnati and Illinois.

The 2026 college baseball season concluded with Oklahoma capturing the national title, while Tennessee finished No. 25 in the final Baseball America rankings, highlighted by a late‑season surge, a series win over the champions, and a transfer class that includes five new pitchers.

With the transfer portal set to close in just over a week, Tennessee has secured its fourth incoming pitcher, while several seniors have exhausted eligibility and several prospects eye the MLB Draft.

UC Irvine transfer left‑handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda has pledged to the University of Tennessee baseball program, bringing a 3‑3 record, 3.77 ERA and 1.13 WHIP from his junior season. His addition marks the fourth transfer this offseason as the Volunteers navigate a wave of portal movement.

Sawyer Deering, a 6‑75 ERA freshman pitcher from Tennessee, has pledged to San Diego State, a program with a storied NCAA Tournament pedigree. His decision coincides with a wave of portal activity that has seen sixteen Volunteers move on, while a handful of teammates announce plans to stay.

Freshman All‑American Wyatt Hanoian, a standout at Air Force, has pledged to join Tennessee’s roster, bringing a .357 career average and positional flexibility.

Baseball America's 2026 All-American selections highlight Tennessee's newest recruit, a Mercer transfer who excelled both at the plate and on the mound and chose the Volunteers over Georgia and Wake Forest.

Jay Abernathy, a utility player who logged 53 games for Tennessee last season, has pledged to continue his career at Oklahoma. His arrival comes amid a roster overhaul for the Volunteers, who are looking to replace departing outfielders.