Josh Elander makes major staff change as Tennessee baseball reshapes program

In Year 1 of the Josh Elander era, Tennessee baseball fans experienced pretty much every emotion possible. The Vols had some huge wins, and they had some games that made you wonder how this team ever won a single contest. The X-factor for this team, though, was always the bullpen. When Tennessee got strong bullpen performances, they often succeeded.

Josh Elander and Tennessee baseball faces toughest blow yet in the Transfer Portal

In light of the inconsistencies, head coach Josh Elander has decided to make a major staff move.

“I want to thank Josh Reynolds for his hard work and dedication to the Tennessee baseball program during his two seasons in Knoxville, but I have decided it’s best for our program to move in a different direction from a pitching standpoint at this time," said Elander.

Tennessee fires pitching coach Josh Reynolds

Simply put, this means Josh Elander isn’t messing around this offseason and he means business. Elander moving on from a coach who has worked with pitchers over the last three years is something massive. It proves that he wants more from his staff and won’t settle for average results.

Tennessee’s starters had a pretty solid year last season, with Tegan Kuhns, Evan Blanco, and Landon Mack all performing well. Even then, it felt like all three could have had even better seasons. They all displayed very good overall “stuff,” but it’s up to the pitching coach to get everything out of them, and at times it felt like they left some production on the table.

The biggest concern for Elander was clearly the bullpen. Outside of Bo Rhudy, who posted a 3.38 ERA and a .88 WHIP, Tennessee never really had a reliable go-to arm out there. Cam Appenzeller developed nicely, but the Vols shouldn’t have had to lean on a freshman that much. It was concerning that the bullpen never really improved, and that falls on Reynolds. And I don’t think anything is personal. It sounds like Reynolds was well-liked and he still did some nice things, but ultimately the room needed change. It needed more.

I think this move also proves that Elander will be aggressive in the portal, targeting more high-leverage arms that can come out of the bullpen. Elander is clearly aware of the shortcomings in the roster and will make it a priority to add more relievers who are good enough to pitch in the SEC. Tennessee doesn't need to spend every dime here, but a few relivers would go a very long way.

There’s no indication where Elander will go here, but there are a lot of quality options out there. Tennessee has the brand and the budget to bring in a high-quality option who can develop arms here. The Vols have recently been known as “Pitcher U,” with Crochet and Dollander having success in the major leagues.

Whoever comes in next year will inherit a really strong group of starters near the top of the SEC with Mack, Cam Appenzeller, and Jared Grindlinger, who could even be a top-10 pick in the MLB Draft this year. If Grindlinger stays, the new pitching coach really just needs to add a couple of relievers and the rotation will be set.

The furture is bright for Tenensee baseball.

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