South Carolina transfer pitcher Jake McCoy committed to Tennessee baseball on Monday night, the left hander announced on his Instagram.
McCoy was in line to potentially be South Carolina’s Friday night ace as a junior this past season before undergoing season-ending arm surgery back in the winter.
The Fort Mills, South Carolina native started 14 games for the Gamecocks as a sophomore in 2025 posting a 4-5 record, 6.90 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 60 innings pitched. Free passes were a major concern for McCoy as he walked 40 batters and hit 17 others. However, his stuff has flashed as he’s struck out 97 batters in 76 career innings pitched.
McCoy mostly came out of the South Carolina bullpen as a freshman, posting a 7.88 ERA in 16 innings pitched.
As a rising senior, McCoy is eligible for next month’s MLB Draft and could opt for professional baseball instead of a final season at Tennessee. But McCoy could vastly improve his stock by showing better control and producing at a higher level in his senior season.
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At Tennessee, McCoy will have a chance to compete for a weekend starting spot. The Vols return weekend starter Landon Mack while rising sophomore Cam Appenzeller is slated to slide into one of the starting spots. But the third weekend starting spot remains up for grabs.
Northwestern State transfer pitcher Brody Trosclair is another candidate but he is recovery from a late April elbow surgery. While he projects to be ready for the start of the season, Trosclair likely won’t be fully worked up by then.
McCoy joins Trosclair, UC Irvine left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda, Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey and Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian as Tennessee’s transfer portal commits.
Sixteen Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal this offseason including infielder Ethan Moore first baseman Evan Hankins, right-handed pitcher Nic Abraham, outfielder Nate Eisfelder, shortstop Manny Marin, utility man Jay Abernathy, catcher Cash Williams, infielder Finley Bates, shortstop Ariel Antigua, utility man Hunter High, utility man Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance, right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, two-way Taylor Tracey, right-handed pitcher Sawyer Deering and right-handed pitcher Ari Bethea.
A number of Tennessee players have announced intentions to return for next season including outfielder Blaine Brown, RHP Landon Mack, LHP Cam Appenzeller, first baseman Levi Clark, catcher Trent Grindlinger, catcher Stone Lawless and LHP Will Haas.
