Tennessee baseball’s 2026 roster is mostly set after Reese Chapman announced his return, Dalton Bargo announced his transfer to NC State and transfer DJ Newman signed with the Houston Astros this week.
The Vols still need to trim their roster a bit by the start of the season so there could be a bit more roster movement, but the main pieces are set entering next season. With that in mind, let’s project what Tennessee’s starting lineup could be for next season.
As an obvious note, the competition over the course of the fall and preseason will make these decisions and this is purely a way-too-early estimation. Tennessee also does a lot of cross training. If I listed a player a starter at one spot, I did not list them as a contender.
For instance, I project Manny Marin to start at shortstop. But if Ariel Antigua ends up as the starter, I bet Marin starts elsewhere.
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Catcher
Starter Prediction: Garrett Wright
Other Contenders: Stone Lawless, Trent Grindlinger
Explanation: Wright slashed 406/.513/.663 as a sophomore at Bowling Green last season and was a strong defender. But Tennessee likes Stone Lawless too and he’s going to be in the thick of this competition. Both could earn legit playing time. Grindlinger was a highly touted prep prospect who Tennessee feared would opt for professional baseball. But there’s no harder position to earn playing time at as a freshman than catcher.
First Base
Starter Prediction: Levi Clark
Other Contenders: Blake Grimmer
Explanation: There’s other players that will 100% start but I don’t have as much confidence about any player at a specific position than Clark at first base. He came in as a catcher and played multiple spots while hitting .289 with 10 home runs as a freshman. He makes too much sense to settle at first base as a sophomore. There’s also no other true first baseman on the roster. Grimmer has mostly played third base in his first two collegiate seasons.
Second Base
Starter Prediction: Ethan Moore
Other Contenders: Finley Bates, Tyler Myatt
Explanation: This is the spot I’m most intrigued by on the roster. Moore is a top 100 national recruit and getting him to campus was a big win. Finley Bates started at San Diego State the last two years and impressed but wasn’t dominant. Maybe Walters State transfer Tyler Myatt improves defensively and emerges as the top option here. Maybe Chris Newstrom, Manny Marin or Jay Abernathy settle here. I make this prediction with very little conviction.
Shortstop
Starter Prediction: Manny Marin
Other Contenders: Ariel Antigua, Jay Abernathy, Finley Bates
Explanation: Marin is a good defender who worked at shortstop a good bit last fall. Him sliding over to shortstop after starting at third base as a freshman seems most likely. Ariel Antigua is obviously a supremely talented defender. If his bat takes a step forward he could win this job. Abernathy and Bates will also get opportunities here in the fall.
Third Base
Starter Prediction: Chris Newstrom
Other Contenders: Blake Grimmer, Finley Bates
Explanation: Newstrom was the one talented Tennessee freshmen who flew under the radar a bit last season. He could factor at multiple spots next season but third base makes the most sense. Grimmer’s bat has flashed at times but he’s not been a consistent defender. Bates is also capable of playing third.
Left Field
Starter Prediction: Henry Ford
Other Contenders: Blaine Brown, Hunter High
Explanation: Henry Ford is a proven bat after hitting .348 with 28 home runs, 22 doubles and 115 RBIs in two seasons at Virginia. He started in right field for the Cavaliers and could start there for Tennessee, but left field is my pick. Rice transfer Blaine Brown is also a corner outfielder.
Centerfield
Starter Prediction: Jay Abernathy
Other Contenders: Jaxon Walker
Explanation: Abernathy is the favorite to start in centerfield in his sophomore season. He mostly played left field as a freshman and will get reps in the infield in the fall. But the opportunity combined with his speed makes him the perfect candidate in centerfield. The sophomore Walker flashed at times last fall and has had a nice summer in the Appy League. He is the dark horse candidate in centerfield.
Right Field
Starter Prediction: Reese Chapman
Other Contenders: Hunter High, Tyler Myatt
Explanation: Reese Chapman is back after starting for Tennessee last season. I have him in right field and Ford in left field because of how strong Chapman was defensively last season. Myatt and High will also get reps in the corner outfield spots in the fall.
Designated Hitter
Starter Prediction: Blaine Brown
Other Contenders: Tyler Myatt, Blake Grimmer, Garrett Wright
Explanation: Brown hit .292 with 10 home runs, 12 doubles and 38 RBIs as a freshman last season at Rice. Designated hitter makes the most sense for him because h’s also a two-way guy who will likely have a tole in Tennessee’s bullpen. Myatt and Grimmer are also really strong hitters who could earn time here. Wright could get starts at the spot if Lawless is catching.
Weekend Pitching Rotation
Starter Prediction: RHP Landon Mack, RHP Tegan Kuhns, LHP Evan Blanco
Other Contenders: LHP Brandon Arvidson, RHP Brayden Krenzel
Explanation: Kuhns was Tennessee’s Sunday starter a season ago while Mack was a weekend starter at Rutgers and Blanco was a weekend starter at Virginia. Competition will carry the day but Mack and Kuhns not starting would surprise me. The competition will be fierce though. Arvidson is fully capable of starting after excelling as a long reliever late last season. Krenzel also flashed starter qualities as a long reliever during his freshman season.
