Grimmer Returns to Tennessee
Blake Grimmer Opts Out of MLB Draft, Returns to Tennessee Baseball for 2027 Season
Tennessee infielder Blake Grimmer is staying in Knoxville. On July 1, Grimmer officially withdrew from the MLB Draft and announced he will return for his redshirt junior season in 2027, according to Volquest.
Grimmer posted a .283 batting average, 13 home runs, and 36 RBIs in 2026 — his first full season as a starter. He said the decision came down to family and opportunity: "I think the best decision for me and my family was to come back and give it another year with the new coaching staff and all the returning players," per On3.
A Breakout Season Earned Grimmer a Second Look
The 2026 season was Grimmer's first as a full-time starter, and he made the most of it. He appeared in all 48 games he played and finished with a .538 slugging percentage, according to 247Sports. Tennessee went 13-0 in midweek games, a run tied closely to his production in the middle of the lineup.
Despite those numbers, Grimmer was not listed among Baseball America's top 500 MLB Draft prospects as of May 2026. Scouts reportedly wanted to see a full, injury-free season at one defensive position — either first base or third base — before committing a high draft pick, per Baseball America.
New Coach Josh Elander Played a Key Role in Keeping Grimmer
Grimmer's return is seen as a major win for head coach Josh Elander, who took over on October 25, 2025. Elander replaced Tony Vitello, who left to manage the San Francisco Giants — the first college coach to jump directly to an MLB manager role without pro coaching experience, according to D1Baseball.
Vitello's departure triggered a 30-day transfer portal window for the entire roster. Tennessee lost 16 players to the portal during the 2026 and 2027 cycles. Grimmer's decision to stay, citing the "new coaching staff" by name, signals that Elander has built early trust with returning veterans.
Grimmer Expected to Anchor Tennessee's 2027 Lineup at First Base
For 2027, Grimmer is expected to move to full-time first baseman, filling a gap left by senior departures, per D1Baseball. That shift lets Elander plug incoming transfers and top freshmen — including the top-ranked Grindlinger brothers — into the middle infield.
Analytics models already rank Tennessee No. 15 nationally in way-too-early 2027 preseason projections. Grimmer's return, alongside infielder Levi Clark, is listed as a primary reason, according to Rocky Top Insider.
Tennessee Looks to Bounce Back After 2026 Regional Exit
The Vols finished 38-22 in 2026 before losing to East Carolina in the Chapel Hill Regional. For a program that reached the College World Series under Vitello, the early exit was seen as a disappointment, per Knox News.
Keeping a power bat like Grimmer is now viewed as essential for restoring the program's "Omaha-or-bust" standard. His presence also protects NIL revenue and stadium appeal at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, which recently expanded its capacity and premium seating, according to Sports Illustrated.
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