UC Irvine left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda will play for Tennessee baseball next season after going unselected in the 2026 MLB Draft. Ojeda could have pursued an undrafted free agent deal to begin his college career but he told RTI on Sunday night that he will play for the Vols next season.
Ojeda committed to Tennessee baseball out of the transfer portal last month after a strong junior season where he posted a 3-3 record, 3.77 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 62 innings pitched. The Anteaters used Ojeda as both a starter and reliever. He made seven starts and 11 relief appearances during the 2026 season.
The Valencia, California native has spent the first three years of his college career at UC Irvine where he’s had a major role in the Anteaters bullpen all three seasons. Ojeda posted a 3.46 ERA in 52 innings pitched as a freshman and a 3.55 ERA in 66 innings pitched as a sophomore. He made 29 total appearances in his high-usage junior season.
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Ojeda also pitched briefly in the Cape Cod League last summer, posting 6.1 scoreless innings against some of the nation’s best collegiate talent.
The veteran reliever is one of five transfer pitchers to commit to Tennessee this offseason along with South Carolina left-handed pitcher Jake McCoy,Louisville right-handed pitcher Parker Detmers, Clemson right-handed pitcher Hayden Simmerson and Northwestern State LHP Brody Trosclair.
Tennessee has also landed a number of position players including Mercer two-way Braydon Kersey, Baylor infielder Travis Sanders, Air Force infielder Wyatt Hanoian, Cal Baptist shortstop Chris Ramirez and Wright State outfielder Andrew Duncan.
The Toronto Blue Jays selected McCoy in the 18th round of the MLB Draft and it’s currently unclear whether he will sign professionally or play his redshirt junior season at Tennessee. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Duncan in the 19th round of the draft but Duncan told RTI that he will not sign and will instead play for the Vols next season.
