WATCH: Highlights From Tennessee’s Three Portal Pickups In Two Days

By Ric Butler
- Jul 10, 2024

The last 72 hours with the Tennessee baseball program have been a whirlwind of excitement and optimism.

One piece of good news came after another as Tennessee continues to retool and reshape its roster as it gets set to defend its 2024 National Championship.

The Vols are working their way through the transfer portal this week and have added a few big names while retaining a key player from Tennessee’s postseason run. The first bit of good news from the 72 hours of fury was a commitment from Niagara first baseman Eric Rataczak on Monday. While Rataczak could wind up being drafted next week in the MLB Draft, the transfer pickup has the potential to give Tennessee another power-hitting first baseman looking to make a splash on the way to the draft.

Tennessee then began Tuesday with the news that star centerfielder Hunter Ensley would be returning to Knoxville for the 2025 season. Ensley delivered a pair of career-defining plays in the College World Series with a full-speed catch at the wall and a critical baserunning score in the final game. Ensley gives Tennessee returning leadership, a reliable bat, and a veteran outfielder next season.

Then came the Ole Miss-to-Tennessee power hour with back-to-back commitments from the Rebels’ 2024 roster. Tennessee and head coach Tony Vitello scored their first Ole Miss transfer commitment with third baseman Andrew Fischer before receiving a commitment from Ole Miss LHP Liam Doyle later that night.

Fischer, like Rataczak, is another power-hitting corner infielder that Tennessee will require with the departures of Billy Amick and Blake Burke this offseason. Fischer hit 20 home runs with 57 RBIs for the Rebels last season and hit nearly .300 as a freshman at Duke.

Doyle was Ole Miss’s Saturday starter last season and recorded 84 strikeouts in 55 innings with a 3-4 record for the Rebels.

Here’s what Tony Vitello said after facing Doyle last season:

Tony Vitello on Liam Doyle after he shoved against the #Vols in game two of this past season’s series:

“We would’ve killed to have that kid.”

Well, now you do. pic.twitter.com/fAyda98EjI

— Jack Foster (@jackfostermedia) July 10, 2024

Tennessee’s 48 hours included picking up a power-hitting first baseman, a power-hitting third baseman, and a former starting SEC pitcher while retaining one of the top pieces from the Vols’ 2024 championship run.

More from RTI: No One In College Sports Had A Better Tuesday Than Tony Vitello, Tennessee Baseball

Here’s a look at highlights from all four players making waves on Monday and Tuesday (in order of announcement):

Eric Rataczak – 1B

I think Eric Rataczak is gonna fit in really well on Rocky Top… pic.twitter.com/HBBOsFmTCR

— Kerry Williams (@kerrywilliams_) July 8, 2024

Early fireworks in Williamsport as @EricRataczak goes oppo-🌮 103.8 mph and 397 ft to extend the @crosscutters lead 2-0! 🎆 pic.twitter.com/vU6FGMxaoB

— MLB Draft League (@mlbdraftleague) July 4, 2024

Eric Rataczak went from playing club baseball at San Diego and getting diagnosed with type 1 diabetes to winning MAAC player of the year

Now he’s committed to play SEC baseball at Tennessee

Rataczak slashed .396/.485/.698 with 17 HR for Niagara in 2024 pic.twitter.com/CwcA8ujR3c

— Sam (@sthorn_23) July 8, 2024

Last night’s homer is number 11 on the summer in the @wcbleague. Still looking for a home this fall
Slashing .372/.444/.657
1B/OF
In transfer portal @FlatgroundBats pic.twitter.com/YXlCno6OBJ

— Eric Rataczak (@EricRataczak) August 1, 2023

Hunter Ensley – CF