The college baseball transfer portal is officially closed after being open for the entire month of June. Eighteen Tennessee players entered the transfer portal but very few projected to have a major role next season.
In fact, Tennessee’s retention has perhaps been the biggest positive of a strong offseason for Josh Elander. But some of Tennessee’s outgoing transfers could have earned roles next season. Ranking the 18 losses from biggest to smallest here.
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Would Have Been A Starter
1. SS Manny Marin
Marin had a strong sophomore season, slashing .291/.338/.485 while playing solid defense at shortstop. He’s also draft eligible so there’s a chance he never would have been back at Tennessee anyway. The Vols have done a really strong job replacing him, landing infielders Chris Ramirez, Wyatt Hanoian and Travis Sanders in the portal.
Could Have Earned A Starting Role
2. MI/CF Jay Abernathy
Abernathy started 66 games in two years at Tennessee but his bat never found any consistency. The speedster hit just .236 with 13 extra-base hits as a sophomore. Still, there was a chance for Abernathy to earn a starting spot in the middle infield or in centerfield. We’ll see if his bat comes around at Oklahoma.
3. OF Nate Eisfelder
Eisfelder had some nice moments and earned a larger role late in his freshman season. He would have competed for a starting spot in the outfield as a sophomore but instead heads to Indiana.
Likely Would Have Had A Role
4. RHP Nic Abraham
Abraham posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 34.2 innings as a sophomore, though most of those innings came during midweek games. Still, Abraham could have earned a role in Tennessee’s bullpen next season. He followed pitching coach Josh Reynolds to Virginia Tech.
5. Two-Way Taylor Tracey
Tracey only pitched as a freshman where he was up-and-down with a 3.26 ERA in 19.1 innings pitched. But he has a high upside with his lanky left-handed frame. His bat also flashed at times in the fall. Tracey landed at TCU.
6. SS Ariel Antigua
Antigua could easily start the next section too. His bat never came around in Knoxville, hitting .199 in three seasons. But Antigua’s defense was so good that he would have had a role at Tennessee next season.
Needed Change Of Scenery
7. RHP Brayden Krenzel
After a promising freshman season, Krenzel turned in a disastrous sophomore season where he posted a team-worst 9.35 ERA in 17.1 innings pitched. The right hander is clearly talented and could easily find his rhythm at Arkansas next season.
8. Chris Newstrom
Newstrom entered his sophomore season with high expectations but was a non factor outside of a strong non conference weekend in Arlington. The utility man will have a larger role at UC Santa Barbara next season.
Young Players Looking For A Quicker Path To Playing Time
9. 1B Evan Hankins
Hankins tore his ACL in pregame warmups against Vanderbilt and did not play in his freshman season. He had a nice fall entering his freshman year but is buried on the depth chart at a crowded spot. Hankins landed at Virginia Tech.
10. SS Ethan Moore
A highly rated recruit, Moore redshirted as a freshman before sticking in the SEC at Missouri.
11. RHP Jax Bishop
Bishop missed the fall while recovering from Tommy John surgery before posting a 3.37 ERA in 2.2 innings pitched.
12. C Cash Williams
Buried in a deep catching room, Williams redshirted as a freshman before transferring to West Virginia.
13. RHP Sawyer Deering
Deering posted a 6.75 ERA in 6.2 innings pitched as a freshman.
14. RHP DJ McDowell
McDowell had some nice moments in the fall before redshirting.
15. RHP Ari Bethea
Bethea did not pitch while redshirting his freshman season.
16. OF Hutson Chance
Chance redshirted as a true freshman.
Veterans Looking For More Playing Time
17. UTL Hunter High
High was a great glue guy and teammate during his three years at Tennessee which maybe means he should be higher on this list. But earning just 35 at-bats in three years, High was never going to earn a major role at Tennessee.
18. INF Finley Bates
Bates hit .333 in 12 at-bats after transferring to Tennessee from San Diego State ahead of the 2026 season.
