Tennessee right-handed transfer pitcher Derek Schaefer committed to Arizona State baseball on Friday afternoon after spending less than a week in the transfer portal.
“Fired up to be able to compete for a school near to my heart, and a coach that is a winner in Willie Bloom,” Schaefer captioned his post on X. “Back to the Valley. Let’s shock the world. All glory to God.”
Fired up to be able to compete for a school near to my heart, and a coach that is a winner in @williebloom
Back to the Valley
Let’s shock the world
All glory to God pic.twitter.com/dwxRQJQ4bA
— Derek Schaefer (@derekschaefer9) July 5, 2024
Schaefer entered the transfer portal after spending his freshman season at Tennessee. The right-handed pitcher entered the 2024 season with high expectations but it didn’t come to fruition during his first season in Knoxville. Schaefer posted a posted a 9.35 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched. He pitched just once in SEC play, allowing five earned runs in one inning pitched against Georgia.
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A Cave Creek, Arizona native, Schaefer is returning to his home state to play his second season of college baseball. Arizona State missed the NCAA Tournament a season ago while posting a 32-26 (17-13 Pac 12) record a season ago.
The Sun Devils are a traditionally strong program with five National Championships but hasn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2021 and hasn’t made it to the College World Series since 2010.
Tennessee lost seven players to the transfer portal this offseason including infielders Zane Denton, Bradke Lohry and Camden Bates, utility bat Robin Villeneuve and pitchers Derek Schaefer, Wyatt Evans and Matthew Dallas.
The Vols have landed two players in the transfer portal to date— Kennesaw State right-handed pitcher Tanner Franklin and Louisville middle infielder Gavin Kilen. Tony Vitello and the Vols are looking to add a number of players in the transfer portal both at the plate and on the mound to reload after winning the 2024 National Championship.
