Three Tennessee baseball players have entered the transfer portal just before its closure on July 2. This deadline means any player wishing to transfer must have their name submitted by that date.
These players made their move exactly one week after the Vols won the men’s College World Series, defeating Texas A&M 6-5 in game three to secure their first national championship.
On Monday, first baseman and outfielder Robin Villeneuve, pitcher Derek Schaefer, and infielder Bradke Lohry entered the portal. They join pitchers Matthew Dallas, Wyatt Evans, Daniel Parris, and third baseman Zane Denton, bringing the total of Tennessee players in the portal to seven after the season.
Each player has a similar narrative: they were given early-season opportunities and performed well but were ultimately surpassed by younger talent. Villeneuve had a .288 batting average with five home runs and 22 RBIs but struggled to secure a consistent spot in the lineup.
Lohry’s story is similar; he started the season at shortstop but was eventually replaced by freshman Dean Curley, leading Lohry to spend much of the season on the bench.
Schaefer, the only freshman among them, was seen as a promising young pitcher but did not perform well. Despite expectations, he pitched 8.2 innings over ten appearances with a 9.35 ERA, while freshman Dylan Loy and sophomore JJ Garcia secured more permanent roles in the bullpen.
Although each player faced challenges in SEC play and lost their lineup spots, they still hold potential for their positions, whether they remain at Tennessee or transfer elsewhere.
