Former Tennessee LHP Jake Fitzgibbons has been drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 14th round of the 2023 MLB Draft at 415th overall.
Fitzgibbons got taken directly after former teammate Zach Joyce, who went to the Los Angeles Angels at 414th overall.
The Mount Juliet, Tennessee, native is the fifth former Volunteer arm to get taken in the draft, behind Chase Dollander (9th overall), Andrew Lindsey (146th overall), Seth Halvorsen (202nd overall) and Joyce.
Fitzgibbons enters the big leagues after three years of college baseball, all of which came at Tennessee.
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The 5-foot-11 lefty never became a top bullpen arm for the Vols in his time on Rocky Top, but he saw time every season.
In his freshman season, Fitzgibbons made seven appearances and started three games, posting a 1-0 record with a 8.31 ERA on the year. A year later, Fitzgibbons appeared in six games and had one start towards the beginning of the season, as an injury plagued the back half of the year.
In his six 2022 appearances, Fitzgibbons pitched 7.0 innings and posted a 3.86 ERA.
In his final season at Tennessee, Fitzgibbons set career-highs in appearances with 17 and innings pitched with 12. He finished the season with a 3.75 ERA and 2-0 record.
Sometime in early June, Fitzgibbons entered the transfer portal.
In Arizona, Fitzgibbons joins former teammate Will Mabrey as VFLs in the Diamondbacks’ farm system.
