The Chicago Cubs selected Tennessee left-handed pitcher Brandon Arvidson with the No. 367 overall pick (12th round) of the MLB Draft on Sunday afternoon.
Arvidson was a key piece of the Vols’ bullpen in each of his two seasons at Tennessee. During the 2026 season, he posted a 4.34 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 37.1 innings pitched. Arvidson struck out 44 batters while walking 14. His numbers were nearly identical in SEC play where he posted a 4.34 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 29 innings pitched.
While Arvidson did not have an All-SEC level redshirt junior season, the left-handed pitcher was one of a few reliable pieces of Tennessee’s bullpen.
The Dripping Springs, Texas native also had a major role out of Tennessee’s bullpen during the 2025 season. Arvidson posted a 4.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 38.2 innings pitched and emerged as one of the Vols’ best relievers by the end of the season.
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Arvidson took a windy path to Tennessee. He landed at Texas A&M out of high school but transferred to junior college for his sophomore season. The tall lefty originally committed to Texas but after Jim Schlossnagle left his perch atop the Texas A&M program to coach its rival Longhorns, Arvidson de-committed.
Arvidson is the fifth Tennessee player off the board in this year’s draft. The St. Louis Cardinals selected Tegan Kuhns in the first round, the Seattle Mariners grabbed Henry Ford, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Bo Rhudy and the Los Angeles Angels took Garrett Wright.
A handful of Tennessee high school signees have been selected including two-way Trent Grindlinger, outfielder Trevor Condon, right-handed pitcher Kaiden McCarthy, right-handed pitcher Ty Putnam and first baseman Cody Boshell.
