2026 Fall College Baseball Reset: Tennessee

One year ago, Tennessee lost head coach Tony Vitello to the San Francisco Giants. That move created a tidal wave in the college baseball world, although the Volunteers made it easy by promoting Josh Elander to the head coach role. It wasn’t easy for Elander in his first season. However, the Volunteers did make it to the tourney. Now, for 2027, can a new group do better?

A Look at the Returnees

For the most part, the Tennessee Volunteers will look very different from 2026. No Henry Ford, no Reese Chapman, no Garrett Wright. Those three were the Tennessee team leaders in hits, and Ford’s 20 home runs led the Vols in 2026.

However, there are several notable returning batters.

Blake Grimmer and Blaine Brown are back. Grimmer hit 13 home runs in 2026 for Tennessee, second-most on the team. Brown, once a transfer from Rice, was tied with Grimmer with 13 home runs for second-most on the team.

Trent Grindlinger‘s younger brother, Jared, was drafted in the first round by the Angels this past July. As for Trent, his pro hopes look very good. Trent hit .345 as a freshman, and he’s one of three returning catchers. Stone Lawless, as well as utilityman Levi Clark, are also back.

Tyler Myatt came to campus in 2026 with some helium behind him. Myatt led the Cape Cod League in home runs. Yes, as we noted back in August, there was a good amount of swing-and-miss. But that production is a sound sign.

As for the pitching staff, there are a lot of new names. Tegan Kuhns, Evan Blanco, and Brendan Arvidson, are all gone. The headlining returning name amongst the pitchers is Landon Mack, who pitched well after coming over from Rutgers during the summer of 2025. Mack struck out 77 over 61 innings for the Volunteers.

Cam Appenzeller, Chandler Day, Will Haas, and Brady Frederick also return for 2027.

A Look at the Newcomers

As far as transfers are concerned, the Volunteers landed three very notable players from the 2026 college baseball season.

Tennessee added former Mercer two-way player Braydon Kersey, who affected games in more ways than one. As a pitcher, Kersey struck out 26 over 20 innings out of the bullpen. And at the plate, Kersey batted .325 with 21 home runs for one of the better offenses in the country last year.

Chris Ramirez is a very different player. Ramirez finished fourth in Division I last year in total hits with California Baptist, continuing what has been two terrific seasons between the NCAA and the Cape Cod League. Elite contact hitter: short swing, bat stays in the zone, and rangy enough to play shortstop.