Tennessee Baseball Shortstop Manny Marin to Enter Transfer Portal
Marin, a sophomore eligible for the MLB draft, leaves a roster that now lacks an obvious returning shortstop.
Tennessee Volunteers baseball shortstop Manny Marin will not return for the 2026 season and is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to reports on June 5. Marin, a sophomore who served as the team’s starting shortstop this season, posted a batting average of .291 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs during the 2025 campaign. His departure marks the 13th player to leave the program via the transfer portal since the conclusion of the season.
Marin is one of four players with at least 14 starts to leave the Vols, joining infielder Ariel Antigua, his backup at shortstop, and utility players Chris Newstrom and Jay Abernathy. The broader exodus also includes relief pitchers Brayden Krenzel and Taylor Tracey, along with four redshirted freshmen and depth pieces Finley Bates, Hunter High, and Evan Hankins. Head coach Josh Elander has also moved on from pitching coach Josh Reynolds after one season.
Marin, originally from Hialeah, Florida, was ranked as the No. 23 shortstop in the Class of 2024 by Perfect Game coming out of high school. He is eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft in July, where Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 375 prospect. He was not included in MLB Pipeline’s top 200 or Baseball America’s top 500 prospects.
With Marin and Antigua gone, Tennessee lacks an obvious returning shortstop for the upcoming season. Potential internal options include utility player Tyler Myatt, who had 73 at-bats this season, and second baseman Blake Grimmer, a corner infielder by background. Neither has announced their intentions, and Grimmer is draft-eligible.
The Vols have incoming freshmen Cole Koeninger, ranked No. 14 overall in the 2026 class by Perfect Game, as well as Jaxson Wood and Jack Dugan. However, trusting a true freshman at one of the most important defensive positions carries risk, and those players will also go through the draft process. Consequently, Tennessee’s starting shortstop for the 2027 season may be a transfer portal addition.
