Tennessee infielder Andrew Fischer (11) flips the bat after hitting a home run during a NCAA baseball game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Friday, April 4, 2025.

Liam Doyle got the night started by becoming Tennessee baseball's first top-5 pick in the MLB Draft under coach Tony Vitello.

The Vols kept going on a record-setting blitz.

Tennessee set a program record with four first-round picks in the 2025 MLB Draft on July 13, breaking the mark of three set in 2007.

Doyle was the first player selected as he was picked No. 5 by the St. Louis Cardinals, which made him the highest-drafted player under Vitello. He surpassed second baseman Christian Moore, who set the record as the No. 8 pick in 2024 to break pitcher Chase Dollander's record as the No. 9 pick in 2023.

Shortstop Gavin Kilen was selected No. 13 by the San Francisco Giants, which gave UT two first-rounders for the third time in four drafts. First baseman/third baseman Andrew Fischer was selected No. 20 by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Doyle, Kilen and Fischer all transferred to Tennessee via the transfer portal before the 2025 season. Doyle and Fischer left Ole Miss for Tennessee. Kilen transferred from Louisville.

The Vols had eight players drafted in first three rounds of 2025 MLB Draft

Tennessee set a record for picks in the first two rounds in 2024 with four. It had six in 2025.

Pitcher AJ Russell was taken No. 52 by the Texas Rangers. Shortstop Dean Curley was plucked by the Cleveland Guardians with the No. 64 pick.

The Vols had two more players chosen in the third round as pitcher Tanner Franklin was taken No. 72 by the Cardinals, joining Doyle in St. Louis, and pitcher Nate Snead was the final pick of the third round as the No. 105 pick to the Los Angeles Angels.

The Tennessee record for picks in a draft pre-Vitello was eight, which it achieved in 1992 in a 50-round draft.

Tennessee baseball set record with four first-round picks in 2025 MLB Draft

Tennessee had three first-round picks in 2007, but it took 39 picks to tally the trio. UT did it in only 20 picks in the 2025 MLB Draft to tie the record.

Catcher J.P. Arencibia, outfielder Julio Borbon and pitcher James Adkins were picked in the first round in 2007. Arencibia was selected No. 21 by the Toronto Blue Jays before Borbon was taken No. 35 by the Texas Rangers and Adkins was chosen No. 39 by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Tennessee had two first-round picks three times previously under Vitello, who has 10 first-round picks at Tennessee.

Outfielders Drew Gilbert (No. 28 to Houston) and Jordan Beck (No. 38 to Colorado) were drafted in the first round in 2022. Moore (No. 8 to the Los Angeles Angels) and first baseman Blake Burke (No. 34 to Milwaukee) were first-round picks in 2024.

Dollander and Garrett Crochet were also picked in the first round under Vitello. Dollander was the No. 9 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by Colorado. Crochet was picked No. 11 by the Chicago White Sox.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.