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Tennessee Baseball Shines at the 2025 MLB Draft: A Record Number of Signees and Commits Selected!

2025-07-15

Author: Yan

Tennessee's Impressive MLB Draft Presence

The anticipation was palpable as the 2025 MLB Draft unfolded, revealing an outstanding showing for Tennessee baseball. Not only did players currently on the roster catch the attention of major league scouts, but five coveted signees from the 2025 class and three promising transfer portal commits also made their mark, resulting in a staggering total of 18 picks tied to Tennessee. This summer showcase has proven just how much talent is brewing in Knoxville.

First Round Sensations: Hall, Carlson, and Schoolcraft Make Headlines

**Steele Hall (SS) – Cincinnati Reds (No. 9 Overall)** Tennessee signee Steele Hall, an electric shortstop from Trussville, Alabama, was snagged by the Cincinnati Reds as the 9th overall pick. Already a highly-sought prodigy in the 2026 recruiting class, Hall made waves by reclassifying to join the Volunteers. With a perfect blend of athletic prowess and speed, he was rightfully highlighted as one of the top-tier talents in his class with a slot value of $6,513,800.

**Billy Carlson (SS) – Chicago White Sox (No. 10 Overall)** Not to be outshined, Billy Carlson, a dynamic shortstop from Corona, California, was chosen just after Hall at the 10th overall spot by the Chicago White Sox. A defensive powerhouse heralded for his elite arm strength, Carlson had flipped his commitment from Vanderbilt to Tennessee, further solidifying his status as one of the elite prospects with a slot value of $6,238,400.

**Kruz Schoolcraft (LHP) – San Diego Padres (No. 25 Overall)** The San Diego Padres recognized the potential in left-handed pitcher Kruz Schoolcraft, selecting him 25th overall. With an impressive resume that includes being a top-rated two-way player, he was a standout during his recruitment. Despite many questioning his signability, Schoolcraft's raw talent has him pinned as a high-value pick with an estimated slot value of $3,606,600.

Rounding Out the Draft: Notable Later Picks Shine Bright

**Matt Barr (RHP) – Minnesota Twins (5th Round, No. 149)** Tennessee junior college commit Matt Barr made noise as he was picked by the Minnesota Twins. The standout pitcher from SUNY Niagara dominated his season with an incredible 10-0 record and a microscopic 1.74 ERA, propelling him to stardom in just his freshman year.

**Mason Estrada (RHP) – Los Angeles Dodgers (7th Round, No. 225)** Transfer commit Mason Estrada also caught attention from the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing his skills from MIT with a striking 6-0 record in 2025. His performance has solidified his place as a notable young talent.

**Clay Edmondson (RHP) – San Diego Padres (14th Round, No. 430)** and **DJ Newman (RHP/OF) – Houston Astros (15th Round, No. 456)** also achieved notable picks, with their promising high school and collegiate careers showcasing their dual-threat ability.

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