Tennessee baseball landed its first commitment out of the transfer portal on Saturday night when Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey committed to Josh Elander and his staff. Kersey committed to the Vols after taking an official visit to Tennessee on Thursday.
A two-way standout, Kersey both pitched and played in the infield for a Mercer team that was the biggest snub in the NCAA Tournament this past season.
A left-handed slugger, Kersey slashed .325/.438/.684 while hitting 21 homers and 11 doubles and driving in 67 runs last season. Kersey posted a 24.7% strikeout rate and a 14.7% walk rate during his sophomore season. He mostly served as a designated hitter last season.
On the mound, the right-handed pitcher posted a 4.95 ERA while recording six saves in 20 innings pitched during the 2026 season. Kersey had a bigger pitching role as a freshman in 2025 when he posted a 3-4 record, 4.97 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 50.2 innings pitched.
An Alpharetta, Georgia native, Kersey has two more years of eligibility but will also be eligible for the 2027 MLB Draft. If he has another strong year at Tennessee, Kersey will likely spend just one year in Knoxville.
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Thirteen Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal to date. That group includes shortstop Manny Marin, utility man Jay Abernathy, catcher Cash Williams, infielder Finley Bates, shortstop Ariel Antigua, infielder Ethan Moore, first baseman Evan Hankins, utility man Hunter High, utility man Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance and right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, two-way Taylor Tracey and right-handed pitcher Ari Bethea.
A number of key Vols have shared their intentions to return for next season including catcher Trent Grindlinger, right-handed pitcher Landon Mack and left-handed pitcher Cam Appenzeller.
Kersey is one of two transfers to visit Tennessee so far along with Samford outfielder Jake Souders. Northwestern State left-handed pitcher Brody Trosclair is visiting Sunday while Air Force second baseman Wyatt Hanonian is visiting Monday.
