One of the best rivalries in the SEC is Tennessee baseball versus Arkansas. The two teams genuinely don't like each other, and the fans have had some fun banter. It does for sure fly under the radar since baseball does not draw nearly the same attention as football or basketball, but this rivalry has proven to be one of the best in college sports.
Tennessee baseball continues hot streak with two major commits
That’s what makes Manny Marin’s new portal decision so shocking to Josh Elander and Tennessee fans. The former Vols shortstop entered the Transfer Portal after the season and has now announced his commitment to Arkansas. Last season for the Vols, Marin hit .291 with an .823 OPS, along with nine home runs and 43 RBIs. Not a bad year, but he could've been better for sure.
With that, now that Marin is headed to Arkansas, he is going from a fan favorite in Knoxville to a rival almost overnight. For anyone who spends time on social media, especially X, Tennessee and Arkansas fans already have plenty of heated exchanges. This move will only add more fuel to the fire.
SS Manny Marin commits to Arkansas
There is no denying that Marin was an important contributor for Tennessee. He provided solid production throughout the season and helped the Vols remain a competitive team in the SEC last season.
That said, his postseason performance left a lot to be desired. Marin went just 3-for-16 in Tennessee’s SEC Tournament and NCAA regional games in Chapel Hill. The Vols’ biggest offensive issue during that stretch was their inability to drive in runners in scoring position, and Marin was among the players who struggled in those situations.
Another area of concern was his plate discipline. While he produced offensively, the 40 strikeouts compared to just 12 walks was a very bad ratio.
However, Marin is a Gold Glove-type shortstop who makes a lot of plays in the field, and he still hit nearly .300 last season. He is a really good addition for Arkansas, and it stings to see him stay in the conference. On the other hand, Tennessee shouldn’t have too much trouble replacing Marin this offseason with someone capable of providing similar production.
When Marin plays against Tennessee next season, especially if he makes his way back to Knoxville, it will be interesting to see how fans react. It reminds me of Roddy Gayle transferring from Ohio State to Michigan. I’ve never really understood how a player can go from one rival to another.
That said, you still have to be happy for Marin. He landed in a good situation, and he’s a talented player. Hopefully he has success next season, just not when he’s playing against Tennessee.
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