Tennessee middle infielder Ariel Antigua is entering the transfer portal after spending the first three years of his college career in Knoxville, Volquest’s Mike Wilson first reported and a source confirmed to RTI on Monday.
Antigua has had a role each of his three years at Tennessee but has never earned a consistent starting role. He started 40 games in his three years including 20 as a junior in 2025 and 14 as a junior during the 2026 season.
The Florida native is an extremely talented defender who made a number of flashy plays with his glove over the last three years. Tennessee often used him as a late-inning defensive sub which led to him playing in 130 games over the last three seasons.
But Antigua’s struggles at the plate kept him from ever earning a consistent starting job. Antigua hit .199 with seven doubles, one home run and 24 total RBIs during his three seasons at Tennessee.
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Tennessee’s middle infield is uncertain entering next season. Manny Marin and Blake Grimmer was the Vols’ middle infield last season and both are eligible for this summer’s MLB Draft. Either could return but both will likely be selected.
Jay Abernathy also started a number of games at second base during his sophomore season and could start at either middle infield position if he returns to Tennessee next season. Tyler Myatt, who started a handful of games at second base, also has remaining eligibility and could return to Tennessee next season.
Antigua is the second Tennessee player to enter the transfer this offseason, joining middle infielder Ethan Moore.
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.
