The college baseball transfer portal officially closes Wednesday as the calendar turns from June to July. A pair of Tennessee pitchers entered the portal on Tuesday with freshmen right handers D.J. McDowell and Jax Bishop each entering the portal. McDowell announced his departure on X (Twitter) while Volquest’s Mike Wilson reported Bishop’s departure.
A former top 300 recruit from Atlanta, McDowell redshirted his freshman season before entering the portal. The tall right hander had some nice moments in the fall of his freshman year but never saw the mound during games.
Bishop missed the fall after undergoing Tommy John surgery during his hip school senior year. The Rome, Georgia native made five appearances after returning from injury, posting a 3.37 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 2.2 innings pitched. He walked and struck out two batters each.
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Eighteen Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal this offseason including McDowell, Bishop, shortstop Manny Marin, right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, outfielder Hunter High, 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 Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance, two-way Taylor Tracey, right-handed pitcher Sawyer Deering and right-handed pitcher Ari Bethea.
Eight transfers have announced their commitments to Tennessee to date including Hanoian, Sanders, Wright State outfielder Andrew Duncan, Louisville RHP Parker Detmers, South Carolina left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy, Northwestern State left-handed pitcher Brody Trosclair, UC Irvine left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda and Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey.
Cal Baptist shortstop Chris Ramirez has reportedly committed to Tennessee but has yet to announce so publicly or sign with the Vols.
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 Ha
