University of Tennessee Athletics
Perfect Game Ranks Vols' Class No. 13
November 05, 2014 | Baseball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Volunteers Baseball Program, led by Head Coach Dave Serrano, has assembled a Top-20 recruiting class for its third consecutive year, as Perfect Game recently ranked the Vols' incoming 2015 class as No. 13 in the nation.
Tennessee is one of nine Southeastern Conference schools with teams listed in the Top 25 by Perfect Game, finishing ahead of No. 14 Vanderbilt, No. 18 Ole Miss, No. 20 Texas A&M and No. 22 Missouri.
Last year, Serrano's second official recruitment class brought in a No. 15 national ranking from Baseball America, along with a No. 14 spot from Collegiate Baseball's annual recruiting rankings.
"In a year where we have a great foundation returning, I believe we have filled in with some pressing needs to our program," Serrano said. "The coaching staff, led by Recruiting Coordinator Aric Thomas, not only filled some holes but recognized players that could be a big part of our future success, as well. We added much-needed depth at the catching position, infield depth and outfield depth. Just as important was adding some much-needed left-handed pitching to our baseball team."
Among Tennessee's 13 total newcomers, three were drafted in the 2014 Major League Baseball Rule IV Amateur Draft. Right-handed pitcher Steven Kane, a junior college transfer from Cypress College (Calif.), was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 34th round. Freshman catcher Benito Santiago was a 38th round selection by the San Francisco Giants while true freshman lefty Zach Warren was drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates in the 23rd round of the June 2014 Draft out of St. Augustine Prep (N.J.).
"After having the opportunity to personally view all of our newcomers this fall, I believe our class ranking is justified," Serrano said. "Along with the fact that many will be instant contributors early on as key pieces to our future, we've got a lot of versatility. It's exciting to know that we basically have built this team now and it's exciting to see what the future will bring."
This year's class consists of seven new pitchers including Kane and Warren, along with two catchers, two infielders and two outfielders. Among the new position players, the Vols bring in Perfect Game All-American catcher Santiago and former Cumberland University outfielder Chris Hall, who helped the Bulldogs to an NAIA National Championship title in 2014.
Fans are welcome and invited to attend the final week of fall practice with the Vols this week, as the squad competes against each other in an Orange and White World Series. Game Two begins Thursday, Nov. 6 at 4 p.m. with the final Game Three slated for Friday, Nov. 7 at 4 p.m. Admission is FREE.
For the most up-to-date information, visit UTSports.com/Baseball, follow @Vol_Baseball on Twitter and like the Vols on Facebook at Facebook.com/VolBaseball.
