Utility man Blake Grimmer is taking his name out of the 2026 MLB Draft and will return to Tennessee baseball for the 2027 season, he announced on social media Wednesday.
“Rocky Top, let’s run it back,” Grimmer posted.
Grimmer turned in a breakout 2026 season as a full-time starter, slashing .283/.385/.538 while starting in all 48 games played. The left hander slugged 13 home runs and eight doubles while driving in 36 runs. Grimmer walked 29 times compared to 58 strikeouts.
The Spring Lake, Michigan native was eligible for this month’s MLB Draft as a redshirt sophomore who had spent three years in college. While Grimmer would not have been an early round pick, he likely would have been selected on the second day of the draft.
Instead, Grimmer opts to return to Tennessee where he will look to bolster a Volunteer lineup that was inconsistent a season ago.
A true utility man, Grimmer spent most of the 2026 season at second base where he started 28 games. He also started 19 games at first base and one game at third base.
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Despite spending most of his redshirt sophomore season at second base, it’s unlikely he will play there again next season. The Vols have landed multiple middle infielders in the transfer portal this offseason including Air Force’s Wyatt Hanoian and Baylor’s Travis Sanders. Cal Baptist shortstop Chris Ramirez has also reportedly committed to Tennessee but has yet to publicly announce or sign.
Grimmer could play third base, where he spent most of his first two seasons, or first base though the Vols are deep with infielders. The left-handed hitter is capable of playing left field which could be open if Blaine Brown moves from left to right field this offseason.
Grimmer’s return is another major retention win for Tennessee this offseason. Josh Elander and his staff have done a stellar job of keeping their top players out of the transfer portal with Cam Appenzeller, Levi Clark, Blaine Brown, Trent Grindlinger, Landon Mack and Will Haas all returning for next season.
Eighteen Tennessee players entered the transfer portal this offseason including McDowell, Bishop, shortstop Manny Marin, right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, 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 Hanoian, 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.
