On Tuesday afternoon, Tennessee secured their first transfer portal commitment by landing Tanner Franklin from Kennesaw State.
Franklin, a right-handed pitcher from East Tennessee, entered the transfer portal on June 17th. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 240 pounds, he boasts a fastball that can reach nearly 100 mph. He opted for the Volunteers over an offer from in-state rival Vanderbilt.
With two years of eligibility left, Franklin finished last season with a 4-1 record and a 5.60 ERA. As a sophomore, he pitched 27.1 innings, striking out 43 and walking 27, while also earning five saves.
Tennessee will be losing Kirby Connell, Zander Sechrist, and Chris Stamos this offseason, as they have exhausted their eligibility. Additionally, Drew Beam will be heading to the MLB Draft, and AJ Causey and Aaron Combs are likely to decide between starting their professional careers or returning to Knoxville.
