Former Tennessee pitcher Chase Burns committed to Wake Forest on Instagram Wednesday night after spending just over two weeks in the transfer portal.
Burns was one of the hottest commodities in the transfer portal after dominating out of the bullpen in Tennessee’s run to the College World Series. The sophomore allowed just one earned run in 17.1 innings pitched in the NCAA Tournament including key outings against Clemson, Southern Miss and Stanford.
Wake Forest was the nation’s top team for much of the 2023 season before falling to LSU in the College World Series semifinals. The Demon Deacons lost ace Rhett Lowder to the MLB Draft but otherwise return a strong team.
Burns started the majority of his freshman season where he earned an 8-2 record and 2.91 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched while earning All-SEC honors. However, Burns struggled mightily out the gates in the 2023 season allowing 23 earned runs in 17.1 innings in his first four SEC starts.
The flame throwing right hander found his rhythm after the move to the bullpen while Andrew Lindsey was a steading force as the Vols’ Friday night starter down the stretch of the season.
Burns is one of a handful of transfer Tennessee has lost to the transfer portal this offseason but is by far the most impactful. The Vols have landed five players in the transfer portal to date including pitchers AJ Causey (Jacksonville State) and Nate Snead (Wichita State). Tennessee is still pursuing Alabama transfer pitcher Luke Holman in the portal.
Stay up to date with all Tennessee baseball transfer portal movement here and MLB signings here.
