The Boston Red Sox selected Tennessee pitcher Marcus Phillips with the No. 33 of the 2025 MLB Draft Sunday night. Boston selected Phillips with its second pick in the draft, taking him with a Competitive Balance first round pick.
Phillips is the fourth Vol draft pick on the opening night of the draft, joining LHP Liam Doyle, infielder Gavin Kilen and 1B/3B Andrew Fischer.
The right-handed pitcher spent two seasons at Tennessee after transferring in from Iowa Western (JUCO) ahead of his sophomore season. Phillips arrived in Knoxville as a two-way player before settling on the mound and serving as a fringe weekend bullpen arm on Tennessee’s 2024 national championship time.
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But Phillips made a major leap from his sophomore to his junior season, becoming the Vols’ Saturday starter for the entirety of the season. The hard throwing right hander posted a 4-5 record, 3.90 ERA and 1.31 WHIP during the 2025 season. He added 98 strikeouts and 34 walks in 83 innings pitched.
SEC Pitcher of the Year Liam Doyle was the only Volunteer pitcher who was more productive than Phillips last season. Tennessee went 6-4 in SEC games Phillips started, winning another game Phillips started in the SEC Tournament and going 1-1 in games he started in the NCAA Tournament.
Phillips had issues holding baserunners in the middle of SEC play with Ole Miss swiping seven bases and Kentucky stealing eight with the right hander on the mound. But Phillips adjusted his delivery and mitigated the issue, allowing just three total stolen bases in his final four starts.
In Boston, Phillips joins former Tennessee pitcher Garrett Crochet. Crochet is excelling in his first season with the Red Sox, making his second straight All-Star Game.
