“Why I Opted to Transfer to Tennessee Baseball: I Consider Myself a Victor”
On a chilly March Sunday afternoon, Dalton Bargo stepped into the left-handed batter’s box at Taylor Stadium. His Missouri Tigers were facing the defending SEC-champion Tennessee Vols in their first SEC series of the season. Despite the Vols being formidable opponents, Missouri surprised with a convincing 9-1 victory in the opening game on Friday. Following a Saturday game postponement, the teams played a doubleheader on Sunday.
In the first game’s top of the first inning, the Tigers were already making headway against pitcher Chase Burns. Bargo, with a runner on base, capitalized on a two-strike fastball, sending it over the right-center field wall for his third of four hits in Missouri’s sweep of Tennessee. Reflecting on the weekend, Bargo acknowledged that he didn’t let the pressure overwhelm him, attributing his success to staying focused on his individual performance.
Bargo had a significant impact as a freshman for the Tigers in 2023, achieving a batting average just under .280 with five home runs and 23 RBIs in 50 games. Acknowledging the challenges of transitioning from high school to college, especially in the SEC, he emphasized the importance of gaining experience and accumulating at-bats.
To enhance his skills, Bargo continued playing over the summer in the Appalachian League, a developmental league run by MLB and USA Baseball. Representing the Bristol State Liners, he earned All-Star status for the West division, boasting a .357 batting average and an OPS exceeding .860 in 38 games.
While flourishing in Bristol, Bargo received offers from other schools as he entered the transfer portal. On July 6, he announced his decision to join Tennessee, expressing a desire to compete and win under the leadership of Coach Tony Vitello and citing the coaching excellence of Josh Elander.
Bargo is part of a strong transfer class for the Vols, including catcher Cannon Peebles, infielder Billy Amick, utility man Ryan Galanie, and pitchers AJ Causey and Nate Snead. Despite the apparent depth at catcher, Bargo’s eagerness to join the team impressed Vitello, who recognized his desire to be part of the program.
Notably, during his time in the Appalachian League, Bargo showcased defensive versatility, taking on positions beyond catcher, such as first base, third base, left field, and right field. Vitello sees this flexibility as an asset, allowing Bargo to contribute in various ways, especially considering departures from the team.
Bargo’s relentless work ethic and commitment to improvement align with his team-first mentality. Despite personal achievements, his primary goal is to contribute to Tennessee’s success, especially in their pursuit of a national championship. As the Vols prepare for the upcoming season, Bargo is confident in the team’s potential and emphasizes the importance of unity to achieve their collective goal. Tennessee fans will witness Bargo in action as the Vols face the Virginia Tech Hokies at Pioneer Park in Greeneville, Tennessee.
