San Diego State Infielder Finley Bates Commits To Tennessee Baseball

San Diego State infielder Finley Bates committed to Tennessee baseball Thursday afternoon, becoming the Vols’ 12th commit in the transfer portal this offseason.

Bates split playing time at shortstop and second base during his sophomore season at San Diego State but is capable of also playing third base. He hit .300 with one home run, 14 total extra-base hits and 23 RBIs while stealing eight bases as a sophomore.

Spending a large chunk of the season in the leadoff spot, Bates posted a .400 on-base percentage. The versatile infielder is a strong bat-to-ball hitter, posting a 15.4% walk rate and an 11.6% strikeout rate. Bates was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2024, slashing .292/.358/.397 with three home runs, 14 doubles and 11 RBIs.

Tennessee was in need of adding an infielder to its roster with the Vols likely losing starting middle infielders Gavin Kilen and Dean Curley. The Vols do return starting third baseman Manny Marin who can slide over to shortstop while backup shortstop Ariel Antigua is also returning for his junior season.

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Rising sophomore Jay Abernathy and Chris Newstrom are also capable of playing infield spots, but they’re also capable of playing in the outfield and Tennessee has open spots there too. Abernathy, in particular, could step into the starting centerfielder spot that Hunter Ensley’s departure creates.

A Castle Rocks, Colorado native, Bates will compete for a starting spot in the infield over the offseason with second base and shortstop looking like the two most likely spots.

Bates is the 12th commit in Tennessee’s transfer class but is the first infielder. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound prospect joins Duke LHP Mark Hindy, Virginia LHP Evan Blanco, Rutgers RHP Landon Mack, Rice two-way Blaine Brown, Big South Pitcher of the Year Clay Edmondson (UNC Asheville), SoCon Pitcher of the Year Brady Frederick (ETSU), Kennesaw State’s RHP Bo Rhudy, MIT’s RHP Mason Estrada, Bowling Green two-way star DJ Newman, Bowling Green C/OF Garrett Wright and Virginia outfielder Henry Ford.

Tennessee has also hosted Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad and Southern Cal right-handed relief pitcher Brodie Purcell.