Tennessee baseball right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel is entering the transfer portal after his sophomore season, a source told RTI on Monday afternoon.
Krenzel showed serious promise in his freshman season and entered the 2026 season as a key piece of Tennessee’s bullpen. That remained the case entering SEC play when Krenzel allowed five runs in 0.2 innings as the Vols blew a late-game lead in their series rubber match at Georgia.
The right-handed pitcher never recovered his footing after the outing, posting a 2-3 record, 9.35 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 17.1 innings pitched. Krenzel was even worse in SEC play where he posted 39.00 ERA and 4.67 WHIP in three innings pitched.
But the Dublin, Ohio native boasts a mid-90s fastball and a breaking ball that has been effective at times. Krenzel posted a 4.68 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched during his freshman season.
More From RTI: Five Needs For Tennessee Baseball In The Transfer Portal
Tennessee’s bullpen struggled badly last season and will be one of the biggest points of emphasis in the transfer portal. Top relievers Brandon Arvidson and Bo Rhudy are both likely bound for professional baseball will Cam Appenzeller will step into a starting role if he returns to Tennessee.
The Vols have some talented young pitchers who could grow into bullpen roles next season, but they will need to add pitchers in the transfer portal.
Krenzel joins, Ethan Moore, Finley Bates, Ariel Antigua and Chris Newstrom as Tennessee baseball players to enter the transfer portal this offseason on the first day the transfer portal is open. They almost certainly will not be the last players to enter the portal this offseason.
After failing to make it out of the opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, Josh Elander and his coaching staff enter a critical offseason. Tennessee will lose a number of players to the portal and will be aggressive adding more talent to its roster.
