Published May 2, 2025
Eight Tennessee baseball players are in updated MLB Draft Top 150 prospects
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Ryan Sylvia  •  VolReport
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With the college baseball season winding down, the resumes for draft-eligible players are being filled out.

This includes a good bit of Tennessee players as the Vols reached the height of No. 1 in the country before a recent slip in the rankings.

Here are the eight Vols included on MLB's Top 150 draft prospects list updated on Thursday before this weekend's slate of games.

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10) LHP - Liam Doyle

Liam Doyle has jumped from the No. 75 prospect all the way to No. 10.

This comes after he's proven to be one of, if not the top, pitchers in the country. Doyle currently owns a 2.23 ERA, 7-1 record and .144 opponent batting average. He's already earned three SEC Pitcher of the Week honors and was a Midseason First-Team All-American on D1Baseball and Perfect Game.

Doyle is ranked as the No. 3 left-handed pitcher in the draft class behind Florida State's Jamie Arnold and LSU's Kade Anderson.

He is in his first season with Tennessee after playing one at Coastal Carolina and one with Ole Miss.

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16) 2B - Gavin Kilen

Another potential first-round pick from Tennessee is Gavin Kilen at No. 16. Despite battling injury midway through the year, he's returned without skipping a beat.

Kilen is hitting at a .402 average in 122 at-bats. He has hit 11 home runs to help reach 41 runs and 29 RBI. He recently moved to the lead-off spot which Tony Vitello indicated may stick as the season progresses.

Listed as a second baseman, Kilen No. 2 player listed as able to play the position behind high schooler Kayson Cunningham who clocks in one spot ahead of him at No. 15.

Kilen is in his first year with Tennessee after playing two at Louisville.

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35) 1B/3B - Andrew Fischer

Another first-year transfer, Andrew Fischer is ranked as a borderline first-round selection. He sits at No. 35 at this point in the season.

Fischer, more naturally a third baseman, has stepped into the role as starting first baseman. While staying effective in the field, he is hitting at a .309 average with 16 home runs, 44 RBI and 50 runs.

He is in his first season with Tennessee after spending his freshman year at Duke and sophomore at Ole Miss with Doyle.

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54) SS/3B - Dean Curley

A draft-eligible sophomore, Dean Curley comes in at No. 54. He will be 21 at the time of the draft, letting him be selected after only two years in college.

Curley has played all the spots in the infield but is being looked at at shortstop and third base. His fielding has been inconsistent, but his bat has major upside. As the team's leadoff hitter for most of the year, he's hitting for a .302 average with 11 home runs.

He has played both seasons with the Vols after starting in 66 of his 67 appearances as a true freshman.

55) RHP - A.J. Russell

A.J. Russell has been unlucky with injuries, but he's proven to be an elite prospect when healthy. Despite the health concerns, he still sits all the way up at No. 55.

Russell had to slowly work his way into action this year, but has now gotten an SEC start under his belt. He owns a 2.45 ERA on the season with opponents hitting just .185 off of him. He has just 7.1 innings of work so far but is expected to play a big role late in the year.

He is a junior who has played all three of his seasons with Tennessee.

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69) RHP - Marcus Phillips

With Tennessee's Friday and now-Sunday starter already listed, Saturday starter Marcus Phillips joins the fold. He comes in as the No. 69 player in the class.

Starting every Saturday for the Vols this year, Phillips posts a 2.93 ERA and 55.1 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .206 off of him.

This is his second year with Tennessee but first as a starter. He began his career at Iowa Western CC.

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106) RHP - Tanner Franklin

A critical piece out of Tennessee's bullpen, Tanner Franklin is getting recognition as a draft prospect. He comes in at No. 106 on the list.

Franklin has appeared in 17 games with one start to this point. In 27.2 innings, he has a 4.23 ERA and two saves under his belt.

This is his first season with the Vols after he started his career by playing two at Kennesaw State.

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113) RHP - Nate Snead

Also a flame-throwing righty out of the bullpen, Nate Snead is being looked at as a draft prospect.

He owns an ERA of 3.13 in 15 appearances. He has a 3-1 record and four saves in his time on the mound.

Snead, a junior, is in his second year with Tennessee after beginning his career at Wichita State.

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Tennessee high school commits

6) SS - Billy Carlson

11) LHP - Kruz Schoolcraft

13) SS - Steele Hall

49) LHP - Cameron Appenzeller

91) SS/2B - Ethan Moore

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