Tanner Franklin received a call from Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello in late June, and it wasn’t your typical conversation. With the sound of batting practice in the background at the College World Series, Vitello apologized for the noise before expressing his interest in bringing the Kennesaw State transfer on board with the Vols.
Franklin got the message loud and clear.
“It is pretty self-explanatory,” Franklin said. “You want to get in there and try and see if you can help for next year’s run.”
Franklin announced his commitment to Tennessee on Tuesday, becoming the first transfer to join the defending national champions this offseason. The 6-foot-5 right-handed pitcher has a 6.34 ERA over 34 games, including three starts, in his two seasons at Kennesaw State. A Jefferson City, Tennessee, native, Franklin struck out 61 batters in 38⅓ innings while issuing 40 walks.
Tanner Franklin’s Commitment to Tennessee
Franklin had a shortlist of schools he was considering during his time in the transfer portal, with Tennessee at the top due to his local roots.
“Tennessee was No. 1 on that list just being a hometown kid,” Franklin said. “I was trusting God that he was going to help me through the process and get me in touch with the people I needed, and he provided that.”
Aside from Tennessee, Franklin also heard from Vanderbilt and Lipscomb.
Vitello’s straightforward approach resonated with Franklin. He didn’t want a scripted conversation but sought honesty. Vitello’s message was clear: the Vols wanted Franklin on the roster, and Franklin wanted to be there.
Franklin made his decision after Vols assistant coach Josh Elander visited him in the Cape Cod League, where he’s pitching for the Chatham Anglers this summer.
“That team is filled with a bunch of guys who have the same goals: to win a lot of games and have a lot of fun doing it,” Franklin said. “They work really hard, and their character is in a great place. It’s almost like you can’t not want to be part of it.”
Franklin’s Pitching Arsenal
Franklin relies on a fastball that can reach 99 mph, complemented by a cutter, curveball, and changeup. He believes his cutter might be his best pitch due to how well it plays off his fastball, though he also enjoys throwing his curveball. At Tennessee, he aims to become a more consistent strike-thrower, aligning with the philosophy of Vols pitching coach Frank Anderson.
In 2024, Franklin posted a 5.60 ERA with a 4-1 record as a sophomore, striking out 44 and walking 27 in 27⅓ innings across 21 appearances. His freshman year saw similar stats, with 18 strikeouts and 13 walks in 11 innings.
Tennessee’s Success in the Transfer Portal
Tennessee has seen significant success in the transfer portal, contributing to their back-to-back College World Series appearances. This offseason, the Vols added third baseman Billy Amick, who hit 23 homers, as a key offensive addition. Dalton Bargo and Cannon Peebles are other significant transfers returning for the 2025 season. On the pitching staff, AJ Causey, Nate Snead, and Chris Stamos played pivotal roles, with Causey being one of only two pitchers nationwide to win 13 games.
In 2023, Andrew Lindsey emerged as Tennessee’s Friday night starter as a transfer, while Maui Ahuna, Zane Denton, and Griffin Merritt were crucial to the lineup. Denton’s three-run homer at Clemson was a highlight of the season. The 2023 team also benefited from 2022 transfers in pitchers Chase Dollander and Seth Halvorsen.