Clemson transfer right-handed pitcher Hayden Simmerson has committed to Tennessee baseball out of the transfer portal, Volquest’s Mike Wilson first reported and a source confirmed to RTI on Thursday.
Simmerson is coming off a junior season where he posted a 1-2 record, 3.62 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 32.1 innings pitched. The right-handed pitcher made 19 appearances, all out of the bullpen, and totaled four saves on a Clemson team that missed the NCAA Tournament.
The Salisbury, North Carolina native spent the first two years of his college career at Catawba College in Salisbury where 136.2 innings pitched. Simmerson made the massive leap to the ACC as a junior and proved he could still be productive.
Boasting a mid-90s fastball, Simmerson is eligible for this weekend’s MLB Draft and could opt for professional baseball instead of playing his senior year at Tennessee.
Tennessee has revamped its pitching staff through the transfer portal this offseason landing South Carolina left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy, UC Irvine left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda, Louisville right-handed pitcher Parker Detmers, Northwestern State left-handed pitcher Brody Trosclair.
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The draft will be particularly important for Tennessee’s pitching staff with McCoy, Ojeda, Simmerson and a number of high school signees all potential draft risks. If Simmerson makes it to campus, he will likely factor in Tennessee’s bullpen next season.
Simmerson is the 10th transfer to commit to Tennessee this offseason along with McCoy, Ojeda, Troscalir, Detmers, Cal Baptist shortstop Chris Ramirez, Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian, Baylor infielder Travis Sanders, Wright State outfielder Andrew Duncan and Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey.
Eighteen Tennessee players have entered the transfer portal this offseason including right-handed pitcher DJ McDowell, right-handed pitcher Jax Bishop, 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 Hunter High, utility man Chris Newstrom, outfielder Hutson Chance, right-handed pitcher Brayden Krenzel, two-way Taylor Tracey, right-handed pitcher Sawyer Deering and right-handed pitcher Ari Bethea.
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, utility man Blake Grimmer. and LHP Will Haas.
