The 2026 MLB Draft was good to Tennessee with professional teams selecting only four members of the Vols’ highly touted prep signing class.
Both Jared Grindlinger and Trevor Condon went in the first round while Kaiden McCarthy went in the second round and Ty Putnam went in the fifth round. All four players have now signed professionally with the teams that selected them.
How much did the four players sign for? And how did it compare to their slot value? Taking a look here.
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OF/LHP Jared Grindlinger
- Round 1
- Pick No. 12
- Los Angeles Angels
- Signing bonus: $5,889,300
- Slot value: $5,889,300
The younger brother of Tennessee catcher Trent Grindlinger, Jared committed to the Vols back in the spring. However, Tennessee was also fighting an uphill battle to get the two-way standout to campus. It became increasingly unlikely over the last few months when Grindlinger moved up draft boards into the first half of the opening round.
Tennessee retained left-handed pitcher Cam Appenzeller this offseason while also landing multiple transfer left-handed pitchers including Jake McCoy, Brody Trosclair and Ricky Ojeda. In the outfield, Tennessee returns Blaine Brown while landing Wright State outfielder Andrew Duncan. A number of returning utility men are also capable of playing in the outfield.
OF Trevor Condon
- Round 1
- Pick No. 13
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Signing bonus: $5,161,300
- Slot value: $5,661,300
Condon committed to Tennessee in September 2024 at the beginning of his junior season and remained locked in with the Vols through Tony Vitello’s departure and Josh Elander taking over as head coach.
But as time passed, it became increasingly unlikely that the top prep player in the state of Georgia would make it to Tennessee. Condon would have been a plug-and-play outfielder for Tennessee.
RHP Kaiden McCarthy
- Round 2
- Pick No. 48
- Atlanta Braves
- Signing bonus: $2,497,500
- Slot value: $2,225,800
McCarthy committed to Tennessee in early November 2025 shortly after Tony Vitello departed for the San Francisco Giants and Josh Elander took over as head coach.
A 6-foot, right-handed pitcher from Vermont, McCarthy ranks as the No. 52 player in the 2026 recruiting cycle according to Perfect Game. Tennessee was always fighting an uphill battle to get McCarthy to campus.
RHP Ty Putnam
- Round 5
- Pick No. 136
- Colorado Rockies
- Signing bonus: $1,897,500
- Slot value: $553,100
