Six More Vols Taken on Day 2 of MLB Draft to Set Program Record for Total Selections

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee had six players selected on Day 2 of the 2022 Major League Baseball Draft, giving the Volunteers a program-record and NCAA-best nine total selections through the first 10 rounds.

The nine players picked are the most in a single draft in program history, surpassing the previous record of eight, which occurred back in 1992 when the draft was 50 rounds. UT's nine draft picks are by far the most through the first 10 rounds, breaking the previous mark of five, which was set in last year's draft.

Tennessee also set a program record for players selected in the first three rounds with five, surpassing the previous mark of three, which happened three times (1971, 2005, 2007). The Vols' five picks over the opening three rounds led all schools and their nine total selections rank tops among all NCAA programs, as well, one more than SEC counterpart Arkansas.

Trey Lipscomb was the first Tennessee player taken on Monday as the Washington Nationals selected the senior third baseman with the fourth pick of the third round at No. 84 overall.

Record-setting pitcher Ben Joyce didn't have to wait long after to hear his name called, going to the Los Angeles Angels five picks later at No. 89 overall.

The Big Orange had two more players taken in the sixth round when pitcher Will Mabrey (Arizona Diamondbacks), and infielder Jorel Ortega (Minnesota Twins) were selected six picks apart at No. 168 and No. 174 overall.

Another pair of Vols came off the board in the seventh round to round out Monday's selections when outfielder Seth Stephenson and pitcher Mark McLaughlin were taken by the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox, respectively.

The 2022 MLB Draft concludes on Tuesday afternoon with rounds 11-20. Coverage will begin at 2 p.m. ET on MLB.com.

More information on each of Tennessee's draft picks can be seen below.

DAY 2 (ROUNDS 3-10)

3B Trey Lipscomb – Washington Nationals – Third Round – No. 84 Overall

Among Tennessee's long list of offensive standouts in 2022, Lipscomb had arguably the most impressive season of them all. The senior third baseman started 66 games and led the SEC with 84 RBIs on the year, a mark which ranks third in program history for a single season. Lipscomb also belted a career-best 22 home runs, tied for second most in UT single-season history.

Staying close to home, @tlips03 is a National!#GBO // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/72zNCg4b0M
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 18, 2022

The native of Frederick, Maryland racked up numerous postseason awards and accolades, including first-team All-America honors from the NCBWA. Lipscomb was also named an All-American by the ABCA, D1Baseball.com, Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game, and was one of three finalists for the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy. Lipscomb was a rock defensively at third base for the Big Orange, helping lead the Vols to the program's first-ever No. 1 national ranking as well as SEC regular season and tournament championships for the first time since 1995.

RHP Ben Joyce – Los Angeles Angels – Third Round – No. 89 Overall

Joyce burst onto the scene and became a household name this year thanks to his record-setting fastball that was clocked as fast as 105.5 mph, which is believed to be the fastest in college baseball history and earned him the nickname "The Volunteer Fireman". Joyce emerged as one of Tennessee's top relief pitchers in 2022, earning third-team All-America honors from the NCBWA.

The Volunteer Fireman, @benjoyce08, is heading to Orange County 🍊#GBO // #GoHalos pic.twitter.com/9wEK5hdAuq
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 18, 2022

In 27 appearances (one start), Joyce recorded a 2.23 ERA and totaled an impressive 53 strikeouts with just 14 walks in 32.1 innings of work while holding opposing hitters to a .157 batting average. His 27 appearances were tied for third most on the team after missing all of the 2021 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

LHP Will Mabrey – Arizona Diamondbacks – Sixth Round – No. 168 Overall

A seldom-used reliever during his first two seasons, Mabrey emerged as one of the Vols top bullpen arms as a junior in 2022. The left hander ranked second on the team with 29 appearances, posting a 2-0 record and an impressive 2.63 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Mabrey struck out 52 batters and allowed just five walks in 41.0 innings pitched for the Big Orange, helping lead Tennessee to its first SEC regular season and tournament titles since 1995.

After leading the bullpen with 52 Ks in the spring, @WillMabrey2 is heading to the Valley of the Sun!#GBO // #Dbacks pic.twitter.com/OElUKCE9T9
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 18, 2022

2B Jorel Ortega – Minnesota Twins– Sixth Round – No. 174 Overall

Like Lipscomb, Ortega had a breakout year in 2022 after not seeing much playing time during his first two seasons on Rocky Top. The native of Puerto Rico set career highs in every statistical category and finished second on the team with 76 hits, 20 doubles and 158 total bases. Ortega also tied for the team lead with four triples and was tied for third on the squad with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs while slashing .323/.398/.672.

All the work paid off 💪 congratulations, Jorel!#GBO // #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Qmj8IZEzWs
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 18, 2022

The redshirt sophomore second baseman collected a handful of postseason honors, garnering second-team All-America recognition from Perfect Game and ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region first-team acclaim. Ortega was also named the NCAA Knoxville Regional Most Outstanding Player and was a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.

OF Seth Stephenson – Detroit Tigers– Seventh Round – No. 207 Overall

Stephenson made an immediate impact during his first season on Rocky Top after spending two years at Temple Junior College in Texas. The speedy outfielder was second in the SEC with 25 stolen bases on the year and ranked fourth on the team with a .339 batting average, totaling 62 hits, 46 runs scored, 17 doubles, four homers and 28 RBI in 59 games played.

This guy can fly! The moment @Sethstephenson9 became a Tiger. #GBO // #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/9B7MVwLrW4
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 18, 2022

RHP Mark McLaughlin – Chicago White Sox– Seventh Round – No. 221 Overall

McLaughlin was another reliable reliever for the Big Orange during their record-setting 2022 season, helping lead the Vols to a program-best 57 victories. The Georgia native set career highs with 27 appearances and 45 strikeouts while posting a 2.01 ERA in 31.1 innings of work. McLaughlin held opposing hitters to a .191 batting average and had a WHIP of 1.09. For his career, the junior right hander went 5-1 with a 1.90 ERA in 47 appearances (six starts) while racking up 97 strikeouts in 75.2 innings pitched.

A career 1.90 ERA, the @whitesox are getting a good one in @mmclaughlin_2!#GBO // #ChangeTheGame pic.twitter.com/yslBdiuf5Q
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 18, 2022

DAY 1 (ROUNDS 1-2)

OF Drew Gilbert – Houston Astros – First Round – No. 28 Overall

Gilbert was the first Tennessee player selected following the best season of his collegiate career, leading the team with a .362 batting average, 21 doubles and four triples while ranking second on the team with a career-high 70 RBIs despite missing six games due to injury.

The Stillwater, Minnesota, native was named a first-team All-American by the NCBWA and garnered All-America acclaim from the ABCA, D1Baseball.com, Collegiate Baseball and Perfect Game, as well. The junior outfielder was also an All-SEC first-team selection and was named to the SEC All-Defensive team. Gilbert earned SEC Tournament MVP honors after helping lead the Vols to their first conference title since 1995.

During his three seasons at UT, Gilbert slashed .314/.400/.534 with 116 runs scored, 160 hits, 36 doubles, 22 home runs, 140 RBIs and 16 stolen bases in 141 games played.

OF Jordan Beck – Colorado Rockies – First Round (Competitive Balance Round A) – No. 38 Overall

An ultra-talented prospect, Beck built off an impressive sophomore season with an even better junior campaign in which he set career highs in batting average (.298), runs scored (70), triples (three), homers (18), total bases (150), slugging percentage (.595) and walks (37) to earn ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region honors.

The Hazel Green, Alabama, native played a major role in helping lead Tennessee to SEC regular season and tournament titles as well as the No. 1 national seed in the NCAA tournament in 2022. He also was a key member of the Vols' 2021 College World Series team. For his collegiate career, Beck slashed .284/.366/.553 with 122 runs scored, 156 hits, 36 doubles, 34 home runs, 134 RBIs, 69 walks and 14 steals in 149 games played. His 34 long balls are tied for seventh most in program history.

RHP Blade Tidwell – New York Mets – Second Round – No. 52 Overall

Tidwell was the first UT pitcher selected in this year's draft despite missing the first half of the 2022 season due to shoulder tightness and soreness. In 13 appearances (nine starts), Tidwell posted a 3-2 record with a 3.00 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 39.0 innings of work. He was named to the NCAA Knoxville Regional All-Tournament team after tossing a gem in the Vols' regional opener against Alabama State, pitching a career-best 7.2 innings and holding the Hornets scoreless while striking out a season-high seven batters to pick up the win.

The Loretto, Tennessee, native had a dominant freshman season in 2021 while helping lead the Big Orange to their first College World Series appearance since 2005. Tidwell led all pitchers with 18 starts en route to amassing an impressive 10-3 record. His 10 victories are the second most by a true freshman in program history. Tidwell also led all starting pitchers on the team with a 3.74 ERA in 2021 and finished second on the team with 90 strikeouts over 98.2 innings.

For his UT career, the hard-throwing right hander went 13-5 with a 3.53 ERA and 141 punchouts in 31 appearances, including 27 starts.

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