University of Tennessee Athletics
Baseball Welcomes 13 Newcomers to Rocky Top
August 21, 2009 | Baseball
Aug. 21, 2009
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee baseball team and Head Coach Todd Raleigh announced the addition of 13 new members to the roster on Friday. Highlighting the group are four freshmen that heard their name called in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. The class includes a total of eight freshmen, one transfer and four junior college players.
"This group really addresses a lot of needs for our program and we are extremely excited to have them all on campus," Raleigh said. "Overall, this class is very physical and will bring a lot of pure athleticism to our roster, which will only help to create an even more competitive atmosphere. Offensively, we've added some power and speed, while we have a number of power arms coming in to pitch for us. We've got them going to class and working out hard in the weight room to prepare themselves to get on the field this fall."
The Vols are scheduled to open fall practice Sunday, Sept. 20, at Lindsey Nelson Stadium, which is currently undergoing the second-phase of a multi-million dollar renovation project.
Highlighting this year's group of newcomers are four freshman who were drafted in June, including right-handed pitcher Jon Reed from Tulsa, Okla., a 21st round selection by the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox 29th round pick, first baseman Cody Stubbs from Waynesville, N.C. Native Tennesseans and right-handed pitchers Alan Walden from Chattanooga and Andy Hillis from Brentwood were also drafted by the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals in the 43rd and 49th rounds, respectively.
Highly regarded freshman outfielder Drew Steckenrider from Lawrenceville, Ga., and infielder Matt Duffy, a transfer from the University of Vermont will also be looked upon to play large roles for UT this season. Steckenrider, a 2008 AFLAC All-American, was ranked as the No. 19 overall prospect in the nation by PGCrosschecker.com, while Duffy was the 2009 America East Player of the Year and an honorable mention selection to the All Ping! Baseball National All-America Team after hitting .388 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs for the Catamounts in the program's final season before being discontinued.
Other freshmen joining the team include 6-6 right-hander Nicholas Blount from Loganville, Ga., Christopher Fritts, an outfield from Houston, Texas, and the top pitching prospect from the state of Michigan, Michael Theodore from Bloomfield Hills.
Joining the Volunteers from the junior college ranks will be 6-5 right-hander Spencer Clifft from Manatee (Fla.) Community College and Young Harris (Ga.) College catcher Adam King, as well as infielders Khayyan Norfork and Tyler Hannah from Jackson State Community College and Wallace State-Haynesville (Ala.), respectively. Norfork picked up honorable mention All-America accolades from the National Junior College Athletic Association and was named to the 2009 Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association First Team, while Hannah also earned first-team honors from the Alabama Community College Conference.
The newcomers join a group of 21 returning players from the 2008 season.
VOLS TO CONDUCT OPEN CAMPUS TRYOUTS SEPT. 17-18
The Tennessee baseball team will be conducting open campus tryouts for walk-on players Sept. 17-18 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Tryouts will begin at 5 p.m. on both days.
Student-athletes interested in taking part in baseball tryouts must meet ALL of the following criteria:
1) Must be registered for at least 12 credit hours for the fall semester at the University of Tennessee
2) Must be an NCAA qualifier*
3) Must stop by the baseball office at least one week before tryouts begin to complete appropriate paperwork
*To learn whether or not a prospective student-athlete is an NCAA qualifier, visit www.NCAAclearinghouse.net. The clearinghouse process can sometimes take two weeks or longer to complete. Only qualifiers will be allowed to take the field for tryouts.
| 2009-10 BASEBALL NEWCOMERS | |||||
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | B/T | Hometown (Last School) |
| Nicholas Blount | RHP | 6-6 | 210 | R/R | Loganville, Ga. (South Gwinnett) |
| Spencer Clifft | RHP | 6-5 | 185 | R/R | Huntingdon, Tenn. (Manatee (Fla.) CC) |
| Matt Duffy | INF | 6-3 | 210 | R/R | Needham, Mass. (Vermont) |
| Christopher Fritts | OF | 5-8 | 175 | R/R | Houston, Texas (Cypress Ridge) |
| Tyler Hannah | INF | 6-0 | 185 | R/R | Gardendale, Ala. (Wallace State (Ala.) CC) |
| Andy Hillis | RHP | 6-7 | 210 | R/R | Brentwood, Tenn. (Brentwood) |
| Adam King | C | 6-2 | 195 | R/R | Alpharetta, Ga. (Young Harris (Ga.) College) |
| Khayyan Norfork | 2B/SS | 5-10 | 170 | R/R | Ripley, Tenn. (Jackson State CC) |
| Jon Reed | RHP | 6-2 | 200 | R/R | Tulsa, Okla. (Tulsa Memorial) |
| Drew Steckenrider | OF | 6-5 | 205 | S/R | Lawrenceville, Ga. (Greater Atlanta Christian) |
| Cody Stubbs | 1B | 6-4 | 225 | L/R | Waynesville, N.C. (Tuscola) |
| Michael Theodore | RHP | 6-2 | 200 | R/R | Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (Detroit Country Day School) |
| Alan Walden | RHP | 6-2 | 155 | R/R | Chattanooga, Tenn. (Red Bank) |
