UT Vols Baseball Makes MLB History

The Tennessee Vols made Major League Baseball history on Sunday. The Vols set the record for the most draft picks selected in the first round of the draft last night.

First off the board was left handed pitcher Liam Doyle, who was selected with the 5th overall selction by the St. Louis Cardinals. Doyle becomes the first Vol in the Tony Vitello era to be selected in the top 5. Doyle’s selction was just the beginning of a big night for the Vols baseball program.

Shortstop Gavin Kilen was selected 13th overall by the San Francisco Giants. Then, seven picks later at #20, The Milwaukee Brewers selected Tennessee corner infielder Andrew Fischer. Finally, the Vols set the record when pitcher Marcus Phillips was selected with the 33rd overall pick by the Boston Red Sox.

The Vols record setting night was not over as they had two more players selected in the second round giving UT six draft picks in the first two rounds. Pitcher AJ Russell was taken No. 52 by the Texas Rangers. Shortstop Dean Curley was then taken by the Cleveland Guardians at #64.

UT then had had two more players chosen in the third round. Pitcher Tanner Franklin went off the board at No. 72 to the Cardinals, so he joins Liam Doyle in the St. Louis organization. Finally, pitcher Nate Snead was selected with the final pick of the third round by the Los Angeles Angels at #105.