Tennessee โขBaseball Reveals Projected 2026 Starting Lineup
KNOXVILLE – Tennessee baseball’s anticipated starting lineupโข for the 2026 season is takingโค shape following โขfall practice, โคsignaling a blend of returning talent and promising newcomers poised to contend for SEC and national championships. The Volunteers, comingโฃ off a series of successful seasons, are looking toโ maintain their position as a collegiate baseball powerhouse.
The projected lineup features a dynamic mix of power and speed, with several key players returning from the 2025 roster. While competitionโข remains fierce throughout โthe preseason, current projections indicate โขJay Abernathy leading off from center field, followed by Blaine Brown atโ designated โhitter.Henry Ford is expected to anchor the hot corner at third base, with Levi Clark taking his position at first base. Blake Grimmerโฃ is slated to start in left field, while theโฃ catcher position remains aโ potential battle between Garrett โคWrightโ and Stone Lawless. Reese Chapman will likely โขpatrol right field, with Manny Marin at second โbase and Ariel โantigua โขanchoring the shortstopโข position.
Pitching Staff Outlook
On the mound, Brandonโข Arvidson is positioned to be Tennessee’s ace and is expected to โtake the Friday night starting role. Evan Blanco’s strong โfall performanceโ has earned him a spot โคin โthe weekendโ rotation, alongside Tegan Kuhns, who is anticipated โคto fulfill his potential as aโข key โคstarter. The midweek rotation โขwill likely feature โฃCameron Appenzeller and Landon Mack. While Mack was a standout at Rutgers lastโฃ season, he may initially findโ himself in โคa versatile โคrole, potentially contributing as a bullpen option alongside โคArvidson or Kuhns as late-game arms. Freshman appenzeller is expected to make an immediate impact in both midweek and weekend games.
The bullpen boasts a โdiverse group of arms, ledโข by right-handers Bo โขRhudy, Brady Frederick, and Brayden Krenzel, alongside ethan Baiotto, Nic Abraham, and Sawyer deering. On the left side, Mark Hindy’s experienceโ will beโ crucial, complemented by the rising talent of freshman Jackson Estes, along โwith Chandler Day and Taylor Tracey.
Mike Wilson covers University โฃof Tennessee athletics. Email himโข at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoyโ Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription โthat โwill allow you access โto all of it.