The 2026 MLB Draft is in the rearview mirror with draft experts now turning their attention to a way too early look at the 2027 MLB Draft. OverSlot’s Joe Doyle, one of the top experts on the draft, releases his inaugural 2027 MLB mock draft on Wednesday and it includes a trio of players with Tennessee ties.
Doyle projects the Boston Red Sox to select Tennessee catcher Trent Grindlinger with the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and for the Atlanta Braves to select Tennessee outfielder Blaine Brown with the No. 26 overall pick in the draft.
Grindlinger is coming off a standout freshman season at Tennessee. The California native did not earn a consistent starting spot until the middle of SEC play but proved to be one of the Vols’ best hitters when he did. Grindlinger climbed all the way into the cleanup spot and finished his freshman season slashing .345/.414/.572 with eight home runs, seven doubles and 29 RBIs.
The 6-foot-3, 211-pound prospect spent his freshman season as Tennessee’s designated hitter. Grindlinger will certainly catch more in his sophomore season but how much is unclear with the Vols’ returning catchers Stone Lawless and Levi Clark.
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Brown transferred to Tennessee from Rice ahead of the 2026 season with high expectations but struggled to get his bat going for most of the season. The left-handed slugger slashed .240/.308/.467 while hitting 13 home runs, 12 doubles and 42 RBIs.
Despite a shaky sophomore season at the plate, Brown remains a potential first round pick because of his high ceiling. The Vols are banking on a second-year breakout for Brown. He could also end up starting at right field in 2027 after playing left field a season ago.
One of Tennessee’s high school commits is projected to go higher than both Grindlinger and Brown. Doyle projects the Los Angeles Angels to select shortstop Dylan Seward to go with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. A standout at Norco High School in California, Seward is one of the top high school players in the 2027 recruiting cycle and committed to the Vols back in October.
While Seward is the only Tennessee commit in the first round of Doyle’s mock draft, Max Hemenway, Leo Nockley and Sebastian Wilson are all potential first round picks.
