The 2025 MLB Draft begins this Sunday in what projects as a highly important few days for Tennessee baseball. A number of current Vols will be selected and a number of Tennessee commits also have a chance to be selected.
Multiple Tennessee prep signees project as first round picks and the Vols will lose a number of high school commits to the draft. But what about transfers? The Vols have 12 players committed from the transfer portal and two JUCO commits. Eight of those 14 players are draft eligible.
How likely is it that Tennessee loses them to the draft? Taking a look at those eight players and the likelihood they make it to campus here.
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Major Draft Risks
Virginia OF Henry Ford
Ford is a draft eligible sophomore who combined to hit .348 with 28 home runs and 115 RBIs in his first two collegiate seasons. He’s a middle of the order bat who would change the outlook of Tennessee’s season if he makes it to campus.
The outfielder projects as an early day two pick but there’s come cautious optimism from Tennessee’s side that Ford will make it to campus.
Niagara County CC RHP Matt Barr
Barr posted a 10-0 record, 1.74 ERA and 0.75 WHIP while striking out 94 batters in 57 innings pitched in his freshman season at Niagara County CC.
The right-handed pitcher projects as a day two pick and seems poised to begin his professional career instead of coming to Tennessee.
Draft Risks But More Likely They Make It To Campus
UNC Asheville RHP Clay Edmondson
A grad transfer, Edmondson committed to Tennessee all the way back in April. The submarine pitcher went on to earn Big South Pitcher of the Year honors, posting a 5-1 record, 2.20 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while striking out 86 batters in 81.2 innings pitched.
Edmondson is not on any top 250 prospects list but with a mid-90s fastball and low arm slot, the right hander could be taken on day two and end up opting to begin his professional career.
Walters State CC UTL Tyler Myatt
The National Junior College Player of the Year, Myatt hit 484 while bashing 31 home runs and 110 RBIs last season at Walters State. The local standout committed to Tennessee over LSU and Texas A&M and his bat could make him an instant impact contributor despite lacking a true positon.
Myatt will more than likely make it to campus, but it’s possible a professional team matches his asking price and the left-handed hitter opts for professional baseball instead.
Virginia LHP Evan Blanco
A year ago, Blanco looked like a lock to begin his professional career after his junior season. The left-handed pitcher was the ace on a Virginia team that made it to Omaha, posting an 8-3 record, 3.62 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 99.1 innings pitched.
But injuries led to a disappointing junior season where Blanco posted a 3-5 record, 6.23 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in 39 innings pitched. Don’t rule out Blanco signing professionally but one more college season at Tennessee is the more likely outcome.
MIT RHP Mason Estrada
One of Tennessee’s first portal commits, Estrada posted a 6-0 record and 2.21 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched last season.
Estrada has the stuff to make him a legit draft candidate but doesn’t appear on any top prospect lists and seems better suited to try and improve his draft stock by proving himself in the SEC.
Would Be A Serious Surprise If They Don’t Make It To Campus
Bowling Green Two-Way DJ Newman
Newman spent the last two years as Bowling Green’s ace on the mound while hitting .388 with 15 home runs, 20 doubles and 64 RBIs in his first three collegiate seasons.
If Newman hadn’t missed the back half of his junior season with a knee injury then starting his professional career would be much more likely.
Duke LHP Mark Hindy
Hindy committed to Tennessee earlier this week after spending last season at Duke and his first three collegiate seasons at William & Mary. The left-handed pitcher proved his breakout redshirt sophomore season at William & Mary wasn’t a fluke, posting a 4.66 ERA in 29 innings pitched last season at Duke.
The lefties high strikeout rate gives him a chance to be drafted but one more college season seems much more likely.
