Four Tennessee baseball players landed on D1Baseball’s Top 100 MLB Draft prospects list for next summer’s 2024 MLB Draft.
Expected Tennessee ace Drew Beam comes in as the Vols’ highest rated prospect at No. 14 followed middle infielder Christian Moore (No. 67), Clemson infield transfer Billy Amick (No. 89) and first baseman Blake Burke (No. 100).
Beam was Tennessee’s Sunday starter for the vast majority of his first two seasons in Knoxville. He was solid throughout his sophomore season posting a 9-4 record and 3.63 ERA but was dominant down the home stretch of the season.
The Murfreesboro, Tennessee native’s off-speed pitches were dominant while he allowed five earned runs (1.90 ERA) and struck out 30 batters in 23.2 IP in his final four starts of the season (including three NCAA Tournament starts).
Billy Amick is one of Tennessee’s top additions in the transfer portal this offseason after his breakout sophomore season at Clemson. The corner infielder/designated hitter was one of the best hitters in the ACC last season boasting a .413 batting average with 13 home runs, 32 extra-base hits and 63 RBIs. The then sophomore also boasted an elite 16.7% strikeout percentage last season.
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Christian Moore started at second base for Tennessee last season in an up-and-down sophomore season that saw him hit .304 with 17 home runs, 13 doubles and 50 RBIs. Moore was dominant during stretches of the season, most notable in the Clemson Regional when he hit as many home runs as outs he recorded on his way to winning regional most valuable player honors.
Moore is back for his junior season looking to earn a major MLB payday with a more consistent season at the plate. The Brooklyn native will also compete to start at shortstop instead of second base this fall.
Burke is the last Vol and last player on the top 100 list after an underwhelming sophomore season. The Brentwood, California native hit 13 home runs as a freshman and appeared poised for a dominant sophomore season. But a prolonged slump saw Burke hit .280 with 16 home run and 43 RBIs last season.
While Burke didn’t live up to the lofty expectations last season, the first baseman was more productive in the NCAA Tournament including a mammoth three-run homer in game two of the Hattiesburg Super Regional.
Tennessee is coming off its second trip to the College World Series in three years and enters an offseason of major transition. The Vols lost a number of key players to the MLB Draft and a couple more to the transfer portal. But Tennessee also cleaned up in the portal and its recruiting class survived the 2023 MLB Draft reasonably well.
The Vols open up an important fall practice later this month where there will be plenty of competition on the mound and particularly in the infield.
