Tennessee Volunteers Land Star Transfer Pitcher Brady Frederick from ETSU, Adding Proven Firepower and Veteran Command to an Already Dangerous Rotation—Vols Make Major Statement in SEC Arms Race with Strategic Addition Ahead of 2026 Season

BIG ORANGE BULLPEN BOOST: Tennessee Volunteers Land Star Transfer Pitcher Brady Frederick from ETSU, Adding Proven Firepower and Veteran Command to an Already Dangerous Rotation—Vols Make Major Statement in SEC Arms Race with Strategic Addition Ahead of 2026 Season

 

Knoxville, TN — The Tennessee Volunteers have made another calculated and potentially game-changing move to strengthen their baseball program, announcing the high-impact addition of standout transfer pitcher Brady Frederick from East Tennessee State University (ETSU). The experienced right-hander is joining the Volunteers as a graduate transfer, immediately eligible, and expected to make a significant contribution to Tennessee’s already dangerous pitching staff in the upcoming 2026 NCAA baseball season.

 

With SEC competition becoming increasingly elite year after year, Frederick’s arrival could be the final piece needed to solidify a rotation that already boasts serious depth and high-velocity arms. The move marks a critical win for Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, whose ability to consistently land top-tier transfers continues to set the program apart as a perennial College World Series contender.

 

Frederick, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound righty, has become a household name in the Southern Conference over the past two seasons. Known for his smooth delivery, devastating changeup, and pinpoint control, he finished the 2025 campaign with a 2.84 ERA, 102 strikeouts, and just 18 walks across 91 innings pitched. He was widely regarded as ETSU’s ace and earned All-Conference honors for his efforts, drawing attention from several major Division I programs looking to add experience and leadership to their bullpens.

 

But in the end, the Knoxville draw proved too strong to resist.

 

“Tennessee checked every box for me,” Frederick said in a statement released through the team. “The facilities are elite, the coaching staff is top-tier, and the fan support is second to none. I’m here to compete at the highest level and help this team win championships. That’s the goal from Day One.”

 

Frederick’s decision to join Tennessee is being lauded as both strategic and culturally fitting. With the Vols having lost key arms to the MLB Draft and graduation, the need for veteran stability was paramount. Frederick brings not just talent, but maturity and leadership—qualities that make him a perfect fit for Vitello’s high-intensity, high-expectation clubhouse.

 

“Brady brings us everything you want in a pitcher,” Coach Vitello said. “He’s got the stuff, the command, and the mindset. But even more than that, he’s a fierce competitor who wants the ball in the biggest moments. That’s what we look for at Tennessee. He’s going to make us better, no doubt.”

 

Scouting reports on Frederick highlight his advanced pitch sequencing and ability to work deep into games—an invaluable asset in the SEC, where stamina and grit are often the difference between wins and losses. His fastball, clocked consistently in the low-90s, plays up thanks to late movement and sharp vertical break. When paired with a sinking changeup and a sharp-breaking slider, Frederick is capable of keeping even the SEC’s most dangerous lineups off-balance.

 

Analysts believe that Frederick could compete for a weekend starter role, potentially slotting in as a Saturday arm behind Tennessee’s flame-throwing ace Carter Whitman, with rising sophomore Ryan DeLaCruz also in the mix. The three-pronged rotation, backed by a deep bullpen, gives Tennessee one of the more complete pitching staffs in the conference.

 

Frederick’s arrival also comes at a pivotal moment in the program’s trajectory. After reaching the Super Regionals last season and falling just short of a College World Series berth, the Vols are hungry for another deep postseason run. With the offense returning multiple All-SEC hitters and now the rotation shored up with Frederick’s addition, expectations in Knoxville are again sky-high.

 

“This move tells you exactly where Tennessee baseball is right now,” said D1Baseball analyst Kendall Rogers. “They’re no longer just a good team—they’re a magnet for serious talent. Frederick is going to be a problem for hitters across the SEC.”

 

Frederick has already arrived on campus and is expected to begin working with pitching coach Frank Anderson immediately. Early fall scrimmages and workouts will determine how he fits into the rotation, but insiders suggest the staff is preparing him to be a consistent weekend presence.

 

In a college baseball environment where transfer portal success can dictate postseason fate, Tennessee just made a major win. And in Brady Frederick, the Vols didn’t just get an arm—they got a proven warrior, eager to climb the mound and lead.

 

As the countdown to the 2026 season begins, one thing is certain: Rocky Top just got a lot tougher to hit against.