Tennessee baseball utility man Chris Newstrom committed to UC-Santa Barbara out of the transfer portal on Tuesday afternoon, he announced on Instagram.
A Scottsdale, Arizona native, Newstrom transfers closer to home to continue his collegiate career. The utility man is also spending this summer with the Santa Barbara Foresters— a team in the California Collegiate League.
Santa Barbara is coming off a 40-20 (22-8 Big West) season where they earned a NCAA Tournament appearance despite not winning the conference tournament. The Gauchos season came to an end with a loss against Texas in the Austin Regional final.
Santa Barbara has made the NCAA Tournament four of the last six seasons and made it to the College World Series in 2016.
Newstrom entered his sophomore season with a chance to earn an everyday starting job but did not take advantage, hitting just .173 with one home run and seven RBIs. He started 15 and played in 27 games for the Vols in his sophomore season.
The utility man can play both the infield and the outfield with his versatility being a strength. But outside of a strong non conference weekend in Texas against UCLA and Arizona State, Newstrom did not produce in his sophomore season. He ended up playing in just three games in SEC play.
Newstrom also missed Tennessee baseball’s series sweep of Mississippi State due to a “internal issue” and did not play in another SEC game the rest of the season.
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As a true freshman in 2024, Newstrom started 13 games, played in 33 games and hit .351 with four home runs and nine total extra-base hits.
Newstrom is one of 16 Tennessee players to enter the portal to date along with right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, shortstop Manny Marin, outfielder Hunter High, infielder Ethan Moore first baseman Evan Hankins, right-handed pitcher Nic Abraham, outfielder Nate Eisfelder, shortstop Manny Marin, utility man Jay Abernathy, catcher Cash Williams, infielder Finley Bates, shortstop Ariel Antigua, utility man Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance, two-way Taylor Tracey, right-handed pitcher Sawyer Deering and right-handed pitcher Ari Bethea.
Eight transfers have announced their commitments to Tennessee to date including Air Force second baseman Wyatt Hanoian, Baylor shortstop Travis Sanders, Wright State outfielder Andrew Duncan, Louisville RHP Parker Detmers, South Carolina left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy, Northwestern State left-handed pitcher Brody Trosclair, UC Irvine left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda and Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey.
Cal Baptist shortstop Chris Ramirez has reportedly also committed to Tennessee but has yet to announce his commitment or sign.
A number of Tennessee players have announced intentions to return for next season including outfielder Blaine Brown, RHP Landon Mack, LHP Cam Appenzeller, first baseman Levi Clark, catcher Trent Grindlinger, catcher Stone Lawless and LHP Will Haas.
