Tennessee baseball begins its 2026 season in just over three weeks when it host Nicholls in a three-game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. D1Baseball released its three Preseason All-American teams earlier this week and two Vol baseball players made the cut.
Virginia transfer Henry Ford landed on the third team as a designated hitter while ETSU transfer RHP Brady Frederick landed on the third team as a reliever.
Ford hit .362 with 11 home runs, 21 extra-base hits and 46 RBIs in 51 games played while missing time due to an injury. The Charlottesville native played mostly right field for the Cavaliers but also capable of played third base and left field during Tennessee’s fall practice.
The right-handed hitter was even better in a fully healthy freshman season, hitting .336 with 17 home runs, 31 extra-base hits and 69 RBIs.
More From RTI: Tennessee Baseball Utility Man To Miss Time Due To Injury
Frederick spent the first two years of his college career at ETSU and earned SoCon Pitcher of the Year honors during the 2025 season. The submarine pitcher posted an 8-2 record, 2.67 ERA and 0.89 WHIP as a sophomore last season at ETSU. While he was not a starter for ETSU in 2025, Frederick made 24 relief appearances and posted a team-best 77.2 innings pitched.
The Knoxville native posted a 24.4% strikeout rate and a 6.1% walk rate in 2025. Opposing batters hit just .183 against Frederick.
Texas is the only SEC team with more players on the All-American teams, putting three on the trio of teams. LSU and Texas A&M each had two players on the three teams along with Tennessee.
Tennessee came in at No. 14 in D1Baseball’s preseason top 25 last week. They also landed at No. 3 in Perfect Game’s preseason rankings and No. 13 in Baseball America’s preseason rankings. Josh Elander’s first Tennessee team has ranked series matchups against LSU, Mississippi State, Texas, Georgia and Vanderbilt.
