The college baseball transfer portal has officially been open for one week and it’s been a busy one for Josh Elander and Tennessee baseball. The Vols have lost 13 players to the transfer portal to date while landing one commitment and hosting three other transfers on visits.
But even more important has been Tennessee’s ability to retain talent from last season’s team. Nine Vols have announced plans to return for next season. Here’s a look at all nine players.
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C/DH Trent Grindlinger
Grindlinger earned Freshman All-SEC honors this season, slashing .345/.414/.572 with eight home runs, seven doubles and 29 RBIs. The California native played in 43 games and started 36. He helped Tennessee’s offense turn the corner midway through SEC play after earning the starting designated hitter spot.
LHP Cam Appenzeller
Appenzeller posted a 6-1 record, 4.76 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in his freshman season. Appenzeller struck out 64 batters and walked 15 in 56.2 innings pitched. It was an up-and-down 2026 season for Appenzeller but he enters the offseason as a favorite to be a weekend starter for Tennessee next season.
C/1B Levi Clark
Clark is coming off a sophomore season where he hit .242 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles and 44 RBIs. It was an adversity filled season for Clark. The talented hitter struggled badly against lighter competition in non conference play before performing up to his high expectations in SEC play.
RHP Landon Mack
Mack posted a 4-4 record, 4.67 ERA, 1.49 WHIP in 12 starts and 61.2 innings pitched during his sophomore season. The Rutgers transfer started on all three days of the weekend before missing the final month of the season with arm soreness.
C Stone Lawless
Lawless started 34 games behind the plate for Tennessee in 2026, hitting .234 with seven home runs and 19 RBIs. A strong defensive shortstop, Lawless will lead a deep catcher room next season. The last remaining player from the 2024 national championship team, Lawless will be one of the top leaders on next season’s team.
RHP Nic Abraham
Abraham posted a 4.15 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 34.2 innings pitched during his sophomore season. The right-handed pitcher made three midweek starts and threw the bulk of his innings in midweek games. He posted a 7.59 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched in SEC play.
LHP Will Haas
Haas missed the entire offseason after undergoing arm surgery. He slowly earned a bigger role in a poor bullpen and had some nice moments in the final few weeks of the season. The left-handed pitcher posted 6.43 ERA, 1.36 ERA and 15 innings pitched last season.
LHP Chandler Day
Another freshman who got extended opportunities due to Tennessee’s bullpen struggles, Day posted a 7.82 ERA and 1.74 WHIP in 12.2 innings pitched during the 2026 season.
LHPJackson Estes
Estes did not pitch while redshirting due to an injury during his freshman season.
Players Who Have Not Announced Return Or Entered Portal
- LHP/OF Blaine Brown
- OF Nate Eisfelder
- UTL Tyler Myatt
- RHP Brady Frederick
- RHP Ethan Baiotto
- RHP Sawyer Deering
- RHP Jax Bishop
- RHP DJ McDowell
