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4 bold predictions for Tennessee baseball, including the Vols' College World Series fate
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- 4 bold predictions for Tennessee baseball, including the Vols' College World Series fate
Tennessee baseball and Tony Vitello get back in action this week, chasing another College World Series berth.
The No. 2 Vols open the season Friday against Arizona in the MLB Desert Invitational in Scottsdale, Arizona. UT has its home opener on Feb. 21 against Alabama A&M.
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Tennessee held the No. 1 spot throughout last season and won a program-record 57 games before its season ended in the Knoxville Super Regional against Notre Dame. Ahead of another anticipated season, here are four bold predictions about the Vols:
The Vols will get back to Omaha – and stick around
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Tennessee has an Omaha-caliber roster for the fourth straight season. It'll get back to the College World Series for the second time in three years but it won't be a short stay this time around.
The Vols, who were bounced in two games at the 2021 College World Series, will be one of the final four teams standing thanks to their deep pitching staff. Camden Sewell and Andrew Lindsey key the run with the ability to serve as extra starters behind Chase Dollander, Chase Burns and Drew Beam.
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Tennessee will have two first-round picks again
Tennessee had two first-round picks in the MLB Draft last season for the first time since 2007. It will have two again in 2023, making it back-to-back years with multiple first-rounders for the first time in program history.
Dollander is a first-round lock and could be the No. 1 pick. Shortstop Maui Ahuna will join him after a single season in the SEC following his standout career at Kansas. Outfielder/catcher Jared Dickey also will generate significant MLB Draft buzz for his hitting ability and positional versatility.
Blake Burke sets the Tennessee record for single-season homers
Blake Burke hit 14 homers in 120 plate appearances in 2022. He will get at least 250 plate appearances in 2023 if he stays healthy, putting him on track for a potential 30-homer season.
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No one in Tennessee history has hit 30 homers in a season. No one has hit 25, either. Sonny Cortez holds the program record with 24 in 1998.
Burke is built for success at Lindsey Nelson Stadium with his sweet lefty swing. He benefits from the short fence down the right-field line, but also has opposite-field power to pop homers into the left-field porches.
A freshman outfielder will emerge before SEC play
Tennessee doesn't have many question marks on its roster: which catcher will dominate the playing time, and how the outfield will shake out.
Cincinnati transfer Griffin Merritt and returner Jared Dickey surely will hold two outfield spots. The battle for the third probably starts with fifth-year senior Christian Scott, but one of the freshman pair of Dylan Dreiling and Reese Chapman will take over by the time SEC play arrives.
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The young duo has too much talent and potential to be on the bench. Dreiling likely is more ready entering the season, while Chapman has lofty upside.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ ByMikeWilson . If you enjoy Mike's coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee baseball predictions: Will Vols reach College World Series?
