Austin Peay catcher Jack Alexander is transferring to Tennessee for his final year of college eligibility, the Missouri native announced on Twitter Thursday.
Alexander addresses a position of need on Tennessee’s roster and brings power hitting to Knoxville. Alexander hit .346 in 2022 while combining for 36 doubles, 20 home runs and 83 RBIs in his two seasons in Clarksville.
The Belton, Missouri native posted an impressive 1.074 OPS in his senior season and is taking advantage of the NCAA COVID-19 eligibility relief to play a fifth year of college baseball.
Alexander comes to Knoxville after spending two seasons at Notre Dame and then two seasons at Austin Peay. At Notre Dame, Alexander hit .194 in 62 at-bats as a freshman and hit seven-of-12 in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season.
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Catcher is a major position of need for Tennessee in the transfer portal following the 2022 season. The Vols lost starting catcher Evan Russell and keeping baserunners from stealing was one of Tennessee’s biggest weaknesses a season ago.
Backup catcher Charlie Taylor returns to school and utility man Jared Dickey earned some time at catcher as well as left field last season before a foot injury limited his fielding abilities. The dynamic bat has been working out at catcher this offseason as he continues to rehab his foot injury in Knoxville.
Tennessee hosted All-American utility man and catcher Paul Skenes on a visit in June and the Vols are still after the highly touted catcher. The Air Force pitcher and catcher hit .410 with 21 doubles and 11 home runs a season ago.
