Roster Construction 2026

[rockytop25]

I count 47 on my roster. I think I am counting more freshmen than you perhaps?

Tell me who I have on here who shouldn’t be:

2026 Tennessee Vols Baseball

Lineup

C: Garrett Wright/Stone Lawless/Trent Grindlinger/Cash Williams/Chandler Jones
1B: Levi Clark/Evan Hankins/Colton Denton
2B: Chris Newstrom/Finley Bates/Tyler Myatt
SS: Manny Marin/Ariel Antigua
3B: Blake Grimmer/Ethan Moore
LF: Henry Ford/Blaine Brown/Taylor Tracey/Hutson Chance
CF: Jay Abernathy/Nathan Eisfelder/Jaxon Walker/Grayson Pope
RF: Reese Chapman/Hunter High/Brannon Seigler/Alex Bedford
DH: Tyler Myatt/Ethan Moore/Trent Grindlinger

Weekend Starters

Landon Mack-RHP
Tegan Kuhns-RHP
Evan Blanco-LHP

Bullpen

Weekend:
Brandon Arvidson-LHP
Anson Seibert-RHP
Brayden Krenzel-RHP
Bo Rhudy-RHP
Cameron Appenzeller-LHP
Ethan Baiotto-RHP
Brady Frederick-RHP
Mark Hindy-LHP

Midweek:
Nic Abraham-RHP
Blaine Brown-LHP
Ryan Combs-RHP
Tyler Wood-RHP
Darrell McDowell-RHP
Jax Bishop-RHP
Sawyer Deering-RHP
Chandler Day-LHP
Art Bethea-RHP

William Haas-LHP-TJ surgery
Blaine Brown is a 2-way player so only counts once.
The guys listed at DH are also listed elsewhere so only count them once.

Combs transferred

Pope will probably never officially be on the active roster here. I think it’s great what Tony is doing for him but not sure if he’ll ever be able to fully play baseball again

 

[NighthawkVol]

I’m showing 26. I note that 4 of the portal transfers signed via MLB draft. Also, I note Bargo as transferrIng to NC State. I have 17 freshmen according to PG. See pics..View attachment 759000View attachment 759001 Feel free to peruse and see who you over counted.

I have Chandler Jones on my roster, but he’s not on that Perfect Game list. Research says he went JUCO.

I have Grayson Pope on my roster, but he isn’t on that PG list. Will UT give him some other kind of aid other than baseball?

Colton Denton is the other. Didn’t realize he’d decommitted (even though he signed).

That gets me to 43. And with Haas having undergone TJ, we can assume he won’t be on the active roster this year.

 

[NighthawkVol]

This team is Catcher-heavy, with Wright, Lawless, Grindlinger, and Cash Williams all at that position. That doesn’t count Levi Clark, whose catching days are likely over.

I wonder if Cash Williams might also play elsewhere.

 

[volsagain]

This team is Catcher-heavy, with Wright, Lawless, Grindlinger, and Cash Williams all at that position. That doesn’t count Levi Clark, whose catching days are likely over.

I wonder if Cash Williams might also play elsewhere.

If they hit well enough TV will find a place for them. If you can catch you can field the ball.

 

[WaywardVol]

Combs transferred

Pope will probably never officially be on the active roster here. I think it’s great what Tony is doing for him but not sure if he’ll ever be able to fully play baseball again

Pope is an amazing story. I can’t imagine with that level of trauma that there is even a an inkling of a change he’ll ever play.

 

[CobbWebb71]

I bet he has a big year. Good landing spot for him. Very proven very productive hitter that a lot of our fanbase hated for no reason because he was a little streaky at the wrong time

Only the “fans” who realized in 2022 that Tennessee had a baseball program...

 

[taylorvol]

I have Chandler Jones on my roster, but he’s not on that Perfect Game list. Research says he went JUCO.

I have Grayson Pope on my roster, but he isn’t on that PG list. Will UT give him some other kind of aid other than baseball?

Colton Denton is the other. Didn’t realize he’d decommitted (even though he signed).

That gets me to 43. And with Haas having undergone TJ, we can assume he won’t be on the active roster this year.

Haas will be one of the DSAs.

 

[WGWTFA98]

I know that. And as I said, I’m showing 47. That’s why I posted who I have. I want to know which 4 I’m counting who I shouldn’t be.

Jones Denton Pope Combs

 

[WGWTFA98]

This team is Catcher-heavy, with Wright, Lawless, Grindlinger, and Cash Williams all at that position. That doesn’t count Levi Clark, whose catching days are likely over.

I wonder if Cash Williams might also play elsewhere.

Cash Williams can play every position really - don’t think he plays much this year, but I don’t think he will catch. I think at least one of Wright Clark and Lawless will play elsewhere the majority of the time, if not two. Depends how they feel about Grindlinger after fall ball.

Pretty safe bet Clark and Wright are in the everyday lineup somewhere. I’d imagine one is at C and one at 1B or in the OF. If stone is too good to keep out of the lineup maybe he catches or DHs, and Grindlinger will be the emergency catcher. It’s a good problem to have

 

[WGWTFA98]

Pope is an amazing story. I can’t imagine with that level of trauma that there is even a an inkling of a change he’ll ever play.

He won’t play. But he will be around

 

[WGWTFA98]

Haas will be one of the DSAs.

Correct and I think the plan was 3 but have been hearing that they might be able to get a few more. Tony has been fighting for them since the draft went really well on their end.

But right now I’d plan on 37 so 6 guys have to go - and they might be able to find a way to keep another 1-3 of those 6

 

[taylorvol]

Correct and I think the plan was 3 but have been hearing that they might be able to get a few more. Tony has been fighting for them since the draft went really well on their end.

But right now I’d plan on 37 so 6 guys have to go - and they might be able to find a way to keep another 1-3 of those 6

The DSA horse is out of the barn. That list was due on 7/6/25. Yet another brilliant NCAA decision. If TN only submitted 3, unfortunately that’s all they will get.

 

[chuckiepoo]

The DSA horse is out of the barn. That list was due on 7/6/25. Yet another brilliant NCAA decision. If TN only submitted 3, unfortunately that’s all they will get.

Somehow, something is missing concerning the DSA conversation. Just doesn’t feel right. How many have other SEC schools claimed? Is there a clearinghouse or site?

 

[NighthawkVol]

Cash Williams can play every position really - don’t think he plays much this year, but I don’t think he will catch. I think at least one of Wright Clark and Lawless will play elsewhere the majority of the time, if not two. Depends how they feel about Grindlinger after fall ball.

Pretty safe bet Clark and Wright are in the everyday lineup somewhere. I’d imagine one is at C and one at 1B or in the OF. If stone is too good to keep out of the lineup maybe he catches or DHs, and Grindlinger will be the emergency catcher. It’s a good problem to have

Preacher has posted on here that Clark isn’t going to be a Catcher and his future isn’t there. I’d expect him to be the 1B. So I think Wright is the Catcher, unless Stone just blows up and makes it impossible not to play him.

 

[preacherman20]

Preacher has posted on here that Clark isn’t going to be a Catcher and his future isn’t there. I’d expect him to be the 1B. So I think Wright is the Catcher, unless Stone just blows up and makes it impossible not to play him.

But my wife would tell you I have been wrong once is our 38 years together.

 

[taylorvol]

Somehow, something is missing concerning the DSA conversation. Just doesn’t feel right. How many have other SEC schools claimed? Is there a clearinghouse or site?

I’ve heard as many as 6. No clearinghouse as House Settlement just said schools must “act in good faith”. No limits to DSAs but schools will have to obviously fund scholarships and related athletic costs. 6 would give you 40 which I’m surprised TN didn’t request.

 

[kong]

Mckee said on today's pod that he thinks Blaine Brown will hit in the 3-5 hole. Said he's one of the most underrated transfers in the country.

 

[senorb19]

Mckee said on today's pod that he thinks Blaine Brown will hit in the 3-5 hole. Said he's one of the most underrated transfers in the country.

Makes me think they put him at 5 hole after some combo of Levi Clark and Henry Ford. I was expecting Tyler Myatt to be that big bat but maybe they move him down.

 

[kong]

Makes me think they put him at 5 hole after some combo of Levi Clark and Henry Ford. I was expecting Tyler Myatt to be that big bat but maybe they move him down.

Should still be room for Myatt at the top of the order if he lives up to the billing. Mckee did mention Brown might be the DH since he will carry some sort of workload as a pitcher so I moved Myatt to OF:

1. Ford (RF)(R)
2. Myatt (LF)(L)
3. Clark (1B)(R)
4. Brown (DH)(L)
5. Wright (C)(R)
6. Grimmer (3B)(L)
7. Marin (SS)(R)
8. Newstrom (2B)(R)
9. Abernathy (CF)(L)

PS I still know nothing

 

[senorb19]

Should still be room for Myatt at the top of the order if he lives up to the billing. Mckee did mention Brown might be the DH since he will carry some sort of workload as a pitcher so I moved Myatt to OF:

1. Ford (RF)(R)
2. Myatt (LF)(L)
3. Clark (1B)(R)
4. Brown (DH)(L)
5. Wright (C)(R)
6. Grimmer (3B)(L)
7. Marin (SS)(R)
8. Newstrom (2B)(R)
9. Abernathy (CF)(L)

PS I still know nothing

That should be a great lineup on paper. I just do not see how we have room for Myatt, Brown, and Chapman all in the lineup and I feel like they will want Chapman's glove in RF. That might push out Grimmer or potentially Myatt.

 

[NighthawkVol]

That should be a great lineup on paper. I just do not see how we have room for Myatt, Brown, and Chapman all in the lineup and I feel like they will want Chapman's glove in RF. That might push out Grimmer or potentially Myatt.

I think there is a very good chance that Chapman doesn't start regularly. He's going to be in a battle and he's going to have to improve at the plate.

 

[rockytop25]

Should still be room for Myatt at the top of the order if he lives up to the billing. Mckee did mention Brown might be the DH since he will carry some sort of workload as a pitcher so I moved Myatt to OF:

1. Ford (RF)(R)
2. Myatt (LF)(L)
3. Clark (1B)(R)
4. Brown (DH)(L)
5. Wright (C)(R)
6. Grimmer (3B)(L)
7. Marin (SS)(R)
8. Newstrom (2B)(R)
9. Abernathy (CF)(L)

PS I still know nothing

Don’t really see any scenario where Levi Clark will be on the bench. Can’t keep that bat out of the lineup

This is right about where I’d have the lineup if the season started tomorrow. Maybe flop Wright/Clark depending on who is behind the dish?

 

[cthvolsfan]

I’ve heard as many as 6. No clearinghouse as House Settlement just said schools must “act in good faith”. No limits to DSAs but schools will have to obviously fund scholarships and related athletic costs. 6 would give you 40 which I’m surprised TN didn’t request.

My guess for why they wouldn't go to 40 would be because of Title IX. I think they have to fund an additional scholarship on the women's side for each scholarship on the men's side.

That said, I think UT can afford to add the extra, but I guess it wouldn't be cheap.

 

[mattdingus2002]

If we’re a couple over there will likely be a couple freshman who bust in the fall and that will get us to 40