Tennessee Baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players and predictions
The Tennessee Volunteers were arguably the most dominant team in the recently concluded 2024 college baseball season. They won every title possible while cementing their place among the greatest teams in NCAA baseball history.
With Tony Vitello at the helm, the Vols had eight players selected in the 2024 MLB Draft. They won the SEC regular season title, the SEC Tournament and their first ever College World Series while becoming the first team in the conference to win 60 games in a single season.
However, Vitello and the Volunteers face a major challenge to defend their crown next season. Here, we preview Tennessee baseball ahead of their first season as the reigning NCAA Tournament winners.
Three key games for Tennessee Baseball in the 2025 season
3. Vanderbilt Commodores
Following the addition of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners to the SEC, the conference has decided on its permanent opponent options, which will start in 2025.
Two of those permanent opponents for the Volunteers are Vanderbilt and Alabama, of which the Commodores pose a bigger threat.
2. Texas A&M Aggies
While the exact schedule is yet to be released, the Volunteers are likely to face the Aggies in a rematch of this year's College World Series finals. Both teams are among the favorites to excel in 2025 and are likely to make it to Omaha once again.
1. Kentucky Wildcats
The Volunteers shared this year's SEC Regular Season title with the Wildcats, who produced a solid season under Nick Mingione. They are expected to grow stronger next season, which would make their showdown with the Wildcats among the most exciting games to watch in 2025.
Key players for the Tennessee Volunteers in 2025
1. Dylan Loy, Pitcher
Loy was one of the most promising talents for the Volunteers in his freshman year. He finished the season 2-0 while recording 37 strikeouts with an ERA of 2.37 in 30.1 innings pitched.
Loy will be expected to take on a bigger role in the Volunteers' pitching staff next year. With a year of NCAA Baseball experience under his belt, he could become a solid pitcher with the guidance of the experienced Vitello.
2. Reese Chapman, OF
Chapman played his part in the Volunteers' hitting lineup this year. The sophomore recorded 7 home runs and 31 RBI with an average of .274 and an OPS of .917 in 50 games played.
With Christian Moore and Billy Amick drafted to the MLB, the Volunteers will rely on Chapman to play a bigger role in their hitting lineup next year.
3. Dean Curley, INF
Curley was another standout in his freshman year for the Volunteers. This season, he recorded 12 home runs and 50 RBI with an average of .285 in 67 games played.
He could play a major role in the Vols' hitting lineup next season, which will need to strengthen further following their top stars' call-up to the MLB.
Predicting the Tennessee Volunteers' 2025 college baseball season
With the Vols finally tasting that winning feeling, they will embark on their first experience of defending the NCAA Tournament title.
While they are already making moves to strengthen the side, Vitello's role in transforming the Volunteers from a bottom-ranked team to the best in the country looks to have created a winning formula for the program.
As things stand, they look set to record another successful season in NCAA baseball, which is likely to end with another College World Series triumph. However, they may face stiffer competition not just with the expansion of the SEC but also with the recruitment processes of their rivals.