Keep an eye on Kentucky transfer Coltyn Kessler. Believe Tennessee is situated well to land the catcher who entered the portal this morning.
Kessler is the Kentucky player who hit the homer to beat Vanderbilt and hand the Vols the SEC East. He is from St. Louis and his Dad is friends with Vitello.
With the perception that Connor Pavolony will turn pro, the Vols need to add a veteran catcher. He had a very impressive season:
- Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year semifinalist
- Played in 46 games, starting 41, and batted a team-best .349 in 152 at-bats with 20 runs, 53 hits, 11 doubles, 7 home runs, 25 RBI, Walked 23 times
- posted a .439 on-base percentage…Slugged .559, second on the team, and had a .998 OPS
- Batted .339 with a 1.007 OPS while starting all 30 SEC games, tying for a team-high in doubles with 7
- Posted 16 multi-hit games
- Ranked in the SEC’s top 10 in average and OBP
- Led all SEC catchers in average, slugging and OBP
- Reached safely in 36 of the final 40 games and had a hit in 17 of the final 21
- Had a nine-game stretch where he reached base in 27 of 40 plate appearances
- Batting average did not dip below .345 over the final 37 games of the season.