Vitello and the MLB Draft.

[Freak]

Who else is fired up about this?

ATLANTA – Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello will once again serve as a guest analyst for the MLB Network during its coverage of the first day of the 2025 Major League Baseball Draft on Sunday night.

Vitello was also a part of the MLB Network's televised draft coverage in 2022 and 2024.

Night one of this year's draft and broadcast will take place live from the Coca-Cola Roxy in The Battery outside of Truist Park in Atlanta to kick off the MLB's All-Star week festivities.

The MLB Network will have full coverage of the first three rounds of the draft on Sunday night, with coverage slated to begin at 6 p.m. ET.

Another large number of Volunteers are expected to be selected in this year's draft after having a NCAA-leading 36 players chosen since 2020.

Under Vitello, UT has had 43 players drafted since 2018, averaging just over six picks per year, and has produced at least seven selections in each of the last four drafts, including a program record 10 in 2022, eight in 2024 and eight in 2023.

Tennessee is among the nation's leaders in total draft prospects and is expected to have double-digit players selected, including a handful of players picked in the early rounds. Lefthanded pitcher Liam Doyle and infielder Gavin Kilen are both likely to go in the first half of the opening round while corner infielder Andrew Fischer has also been consistently listed as a potential first-round pick in mock drafts.

Other Vols that are expected to or have the potential to be selected in the 2025 MLB Draft include pitchers Marcus Phillips, AJ Russell, Nate Snead, Tanner Franklin and Brandon Arvidson, along with position players Dean Curley, Reese Chapman, Cannon Peebles, Dalton Bargo and Hunter Ensley.

UT boasts nine current players that are ranked among the top 250 prospects according to MLB.com, including six in the top 70. The MLB's 2025 prospect rankings can be seen HERE.

For the most up-to-date information on this year's MLB Draft, follow Tennessee Baseball on social media (@Vol_Baseball on X / Instagram and Tennessee Baseball on Facebook). Fans can also follow each pick with the MLB Draft Tracker.

2025 MLB Draft Coverage Info​

Sunday, July 13: Rounds 1-3 | MLB Network/ESPN (6 p.m. ET)
Monday, July 14: Rounds 4-20 | MLB.com (11:30 a.m. ET)

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Updated list from below:

Player	Position	Year	Projected Pick
Liam Doyle	LHP	Jr	#8; #6; #2 Angels; #4 Rockies; #2 Angels
Gavin Kilen	SS/2B	Jr	#11 Athletics; #21 Astros; #14 Rays; #20
Andrew Fischer	1B/3B	Jr	#24 Detroit
Dean Curley	SS/3B	So	#78;
Marcus Phillips	RHP	Jr	#41 Dodgers; #40
AJ Russell	RHP	Jr	#67
Tanner Franklin	RHP	Jr	#111
Nate Snead	RHP	Jr	#229
Brandon Arvidson	LHP	R-So	#230
Reese Chapman	OF	Jr	#198; #189
Cannon Peebles	C	Jr	#336; #234
Dalton Bargo	UT	Jr	#306

Commits to watch. Let me know if there's anyone we need to add.

Player	Position	High School	Projected Pick
Cam Appenzeller	LHP	Glenwood HS, IL	#58; #72
Kruz Schoolcraft	LHP	Sunset HS, OR	#19; #23 Royals; #29
Billy Carlson	SS/RHP	Corona HS (CA)	#10; #8
Steele Hall	SS/UT	Hewitt-Trussville High School (AL)	#15; #12; #13
Ehtan Moore	SS	Oak Park & River Forest HS (IL)	#91; #198; #100
Henry Ford	OF/1B	Virginia transfer	#73
Matt Barr	RHP	Niagra County CC transfer	#166; #136

Other's I've seen mentioned as slight possibilities: Evan Hankins 1B, Clay Edmondson RHP (UNC Ashville), Tyler Myatt UTL (Walters State CC), Evan Blanco LHP (Virginia), Mason Estrada RHP (MIT), DJ Newman P/DH (Bowlling Green), Mark Hindy LHP (Duke)

• @taylorvol I added Peebles and Bargo but I couldn't find any projections for them to link.
• @cncchris33 Added Carlson, Hall and Moore and linked their projections. Let me know what else we need to add/subtract from this list and your thoughts.
• Added projected pick rankings with links for commits. Let me know if you have any others.
• Adding projected pick rankings with links for 25 roster players... in progress.
• Brandon Arvidson was missing from the list.
• added transfers.
• added a list of other possibilities.
• removed old lists to avoid confusion.

 

[Freak]

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[Freak]

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[kell7517]

Interesting. I recall some commentators mentioning Phillips as a late 1st rounder.

 

[rockytop25]

Commits to watch. Let me know if there's anyone we need to add.

Player	Position	High School	Overall Rank	Projected Pick
Cam Appenzeller	LHP	Glenwood HS, IL	No. 32 (ESPN)	Round 1 (Top 30)
Kruz Schoolcraft	LHP	Sunset HS, OR	No. 33 (ESPN)	Round 1 (Top 30)
Ty Southisene	SS	Basic HS, NV	No. 111 (MLB.com)	Rounds 2-4

​

Think Southisene was in last years class

Got drafted by the Cubs

 

[cncchris33]

Commits to watch. Let me know if there's anyone we need to add.

Player	Position	High School	Overall Rank	Projected Pick
Cam Appenzeller	LHP	Glenwood HS, IL	No. 32 (ESPN)	Round 1 (Top 30)
Kruz Schoolcraft	LHP	Sunset HS, OR	No. 33 (ESPN)	Round 1 (Top 30)
Ty Southisene	SS	Basic HS, NV	No. 111 (MLB.com)	Rounds 2-4

​

Southisene was a 2024 kid. His younger brother is in this class, but isn't a Tennessee commit (USCw).

I'd add Billy Carlson, Steele Hall, and Ethan Moore. Very low chance any of those make it to campus.

 

[iVolSoHard]

Who else is fired up about this?

Tony V. is the face of college baseball so it makes sense that he keeps getting asked to return to the MLB Draft set

 

[Orange931]

This will be the 2nd year in a row he’s been on the panel. The way he gets into detail about every little thing in the sport during every media session is what makes him the best. He should be there on draft day every year.

 

[iVolSoHard]

I ran across this list. Not sure if it's all accurate, but seems reasonable.

Player	Position	Year	Overall Rank	Projected Pick	Likelihood of Signing
Liam Doyle	LHP	Jr	No. 6 (ESPN)	No. 2-9 (R1)	High
Gavin Kilen	SS/2B	Jr	No. 20 (ESPN)	No. 11-21 (R1)	High
Andrew Fischer	1B/3B	Jr	No. 35 (MLB)	No. 21-32 (R1)	High
Dean Curley	SS/3B	So	No. 54 (ESPN)	R3-5	Moderate
Marcus Phillips	RHP	Jr	No. 69 (ESPN)	R3-5	High
AJ Russell	RHP	Jr	Top 150	R3-10	Moderate-High
Tanner Franklin	RHP	Jr	No. 106 (ESPN)	R4-6	High
Nate Snead	RHP	Jr	Top 250	R5-10	High
Brayden Krenzel	RHP	So	Top 250	R5-10	Moderate
Reese Chapman	OF	Jr	Not ranked	R5-10	High

Brayden Krenzel? He just finished his FR year unless he was a 20yo freshman. I don't think that's accurate, lol.

According to PG, he's 19 years old

 

[taylorvol]

I ran across this list. Not sure if it's all accurate, but seems reasonable.

Player	Position	Year	Overall Rank	Projected Pick	Likelihood of Signing
Liam Doyle	LHP	Jr	No. 6 (ESPN)	No. 2-9 (R1)	High
Gavin Kilen	SS/2B	Jr	No. 20 (ESPN)	No. 11-21 (R1)	High
Andrew Fischer	1B/3B	Jr	No. 35 (MLB)	No. 21-32 (R1)	High
Dean Curley	SS/3B	So	No. 54 (ESPN)	R3-5	Moderate
Marcus Phillips	RHP	Jr	No. 69 (ESPN)	R3-5	High
AJ Russell	RHP	Jr	Top 150	R3-10	Moderate-High
Tanner Franklin	RHP	Jr	No. 106 (ESPN)	R4-6	High
Nate Snead	RHP	Jr	Top 250	R5-10	High
Brayden Krenzel	RHP	So	Top 250	R5-10	Moderate
Reese Chapman	OF	Jr	Not ranked	R5-10	High

Krenzel isn’t draft eligible and won’t be until his jr year. Peebles and Bargo should be on this list as well.

 

[Freak]

Apprently this list sucks.lol I didn't look at it that closely. Let update it. I'll work on a version myself

 

[Freak]

(list moved to first post.)

 

[wtmvol]

Ok, I'm not at all an expert on this topic. And I know several of you are. So help me out here...

What exactly should I be looking for in the draft, specifically with our recruits? Like, if Schoolcraft for example goes later than X pick it's a good sign for us. I remember last year thinking we might be in the clear on a couple guys, but then they ended up getting drafted in like the 10th round, and it was because some team out there was willing to pay above slot to meet the player's number, or something like that. So with these highly rated guys, is there a tell that they are leaning towards coming to campus?

 

[cncchris33]

Ok, I'm not at all an expert on this topic. And I know several of you are. So help me out here...

What exactly should I be looking for in the draft, specifically with our recruits? Like, if Schoolcraft for example goes later than X pick it's a good sign for us. I remember last year thinking we might be in the clear on a couple guys, but then they ended up getting drafted in like the 10th round, and it was because some team out there was willing to pay above slot to meet the player's number, or something like that. So with these highly rated guys, is there a tell that they are leaning towards coming to campus?

Schoolcraft, specifically, is apparently looking for a significant overslot payout relative to where he's being mocked (latter half of the 1st rd, at best). PG lists him as the #1 LHP in his high school class and his size (6-8, 230), velocity (upper 90s) and secondary pitches, and his ability to throw strikes (96 Ks in 54 IPs) make him a talent worthy of a high pick. He's also a true two-way player with Jac Caglione ability, plenty of power at the plate, and really solid hitting discipline.

He's mostly mocked in the lower half of the 1st and I've even seen mocks where he slides out of the traditional 1st. Kiley McDaniel, in his latest mock this morning, had him going 41st overall in the Competitive Balance A portion to the Dodgers. But he's looking for a bonus in the $5-6.5 million range in order to sign. There are several here who are optimistic that few drafting him outside of that bonus range will pay him what hes looking for. I'm still in "believe it when I see it" mode, but having read what he's looking for (if true), even I'm kind of upping my hopes.

 

[taylorvol]

Let's try this again, updating details.

Player	Position	Year	Projected Pick
Liam Doyle	LHP	Jr	#8; #6; #2 Angels; #4 Rockies; #2 Angels
Gavin Kilen	SS/2B	Jr	#11 Athletics; #21 Astros; #14 Rays; #20
Andrew Fischer	1B/3B	Jr	#24 Detroit
Dean Curley	SS/3B	So	R3-5
Marcus Phillips	RHP	Jr	#41 Dodgers; #40
AJ Russell	RHP	Jr	R3-10
Tanner Franklin	RHP	Jr	R4-6
Nate Snead	RHP	Jr	R5-10
Reese Chapman	OF	Jr	R5-10
Cannon Peebles	C	Jr
Dalton Bargo	UT	Jr

Commits to watch. Let me know if there's anyone we need to add.

Player	Position	High School	Projected Pick
Cam Appenzeller	LHP	Glenwood HS, IL	#58
Kruz Schoolcraft	LHP	Sunset HS, OR	#19
Billy Carlson	SS/RHP	Corona HS (CA)	#10
Steele Hall	SS/UT	Hewitt-Trussville High School (AL)	#15; #12
Ehtan Moore	SS	Oak Park & River Forest HS (IL)	#91; #198

• @taylorvol I added Peebles and Bargo but I couldn't find any projections for them to link.
• @cncchris33 Added Carlson, Hall and Moore and linked their projections. Let me know what else we need to add/subtract from this list and your thoughts.
• Added projected pick rankings with links for commits. Let me know if you have any others.
• Adding projected pick rankings with links for 25 roster players... in progress.

Keith Law with The Athletic had Bargo going late in 3rd round. Most others project a bit later but safe to say 5-10 for Peebles.

 

[greasemachine]

Marcus has not hit his stride yet. One more year at TN would be so beneficial, but that is not happening.
I think his potential is huge and can't wait to watch him play again. He is the sweetest boy. ️

 

[Freak]

I went ahead and revamped the list and moved it to the first post. Let me know of any additions/errors. It's gonna be fun to watch.

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

Schoolcraft, specifically, is apparently looking for a significant overslot payout relative to where he's being mocked (latter half of the 1st rd, at best). PG lists him as the #1 LHP in his high school class and his size (6-8, 230), velocity (upper 90s) and secondary pitches, and his ability to throw strikes (96 Ks in 54 IPs) make him a talent worthy of a high pick. He's also a true two-way player with Jac Caglione ability, plenty of power at the plate, and really solid hitting discipline.

He's mostly mocked in the lower half of the 1st and I've even seen mocks where he slides out of the traditional 1st. Kiley McDaniel, in his latest mock this morning, had him going 41st overall in the Competitive Balance A portion to the Dodgers. But he's looking for a bonus in the $5-6.5 million range in order to sign. There are several here who are optimistic that few drafting him outside of that bonus range will pay him what hes looking for. I'm still in "believe it when I see it" mode, but having read what he's looking for (if true), even I'm kind of upping my hopes.

If we get him to campus, the 2026-2028 seasons are going to be a lot of fun to put it mildly.

 

[CAVPUT]

Schoolcraft, specifically, is apparently looking for a significant overslot payout relative to where he's being mocked (latter half of the 1st rd, at best). PG lists him as the #1 LHP in his high school class and his size (6-8, 230), velocity (upper 90s) and secondary pitches, and his ability to throw strikes (96 Ks in 54 IPs) make him a talent worthy of a high pick. He's also a true two-way player with Jac Caglione ability, plenty of power at the plate, and really solid hitting discipline.

He's mostly mocked in the lower half of the 1st and I've even seen mocks where he slides out of the traditional 1st. Kiley McDaniel, in his latest mock this morning, had him going 41st overall in the Competitive Balance A portion to the Dodgers. But he's looking for a bonus in the $5-6.5 million range in order to sign. There are several here who are optimistic that few drafting him outside of that bonus range will pay him what hes looking for. I'm still in "believe it when I see it" mode, but having read what he's looking for (if true), even I'm kind of upping my hopes.

So we really want this one?

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

So we really want this one?

Our own version of Jac Caglianone? Yes

 

[cardvolfan]

I was just reading draft notes on a Cardinals fan site, and someone said that Doyle was a draft risk because he refused to submit his physical results to MLB teams. Anyone here heard anything about that?

 

[cncchris33]

So we really want this one?

 

[chuckiepoo]

I was just reading draft notes on a Cardinals fan site, and someone said that Doyle was a draft risk because he refused to submit his physical results to MLB teams. Anyone here heard anything about that?

Probably a disgruntled Ole Piss fan.

 

[cardvolfan]

Probably a disgruntled Ole Piss fan.

I researched this just now. It is from an Angels minor league system writer. Who knows how he has this info, if he does. He has Angels’ fans spewing venom against Doyle.

 

[6-4-3]

Keith Law with The Athletic had Bargo going late in 3rd round. Most others project a bit later but safe to say 5-10 for Peebles.

I would be surprised on bargo. We don’t have him in our top 300