Tennessee baseball adds No. 1 infielder through transfer portal

Tennessee baseball and Tony Vitello are working in the transfer portal again. The Vols have proven to be successful through the portal in offseason additions like Billy Amick and Nate Snead in last year's transfer portal. 

The Vols have added another infielder and strong bat with the commitment of Louisville shortstop Gavin Kilen. He was a big player at the plate for the Cardinals last season, batting .330 with 23 doubles and 41 RBIs. 

Tennessee's newest middle infielder kept it short and sweet in his announcement. "See you soon, Knoxville 🍊" is all Kilen said on Instagram when he announced he's joining Vitello's Vols. 

Kilen was one of Louisville's best hitters. He finished the 2024 season with the second-highest batting average on the roster, the most hits, extra-base hits, second-most RBIs, and fifth-most home runs. 

He was recognized as such in the transfer portal, being ranked No. 1 by Baseball America in the 2024 cycle. He was highly touted and will look to be Tennessee's next big portal addition next season.

Kilen's numbers were really good in Louisville, but like other Tennessee transfers, expect him to go to the next level on Rocky Top. He comes to Tennessee with two years of eligibility remaining after playing his first two seasons of college baseball at Louisville. 

The Milton, Wisconsin, native joins Ariel Antigua and Dean Curley as Tennessee's middle infielders. Curley cemented himself as Tennessee's future shortstop, so Kilen and others will likely compete to replace Christian Moore at second base. 

Kilen becomes the second player to commit to Tennessee through the transfer portal after Kennesaw State pitcher Tanner Franklin committed to the Vols on Tuesday. Don't expect the Vols to be done in the portal after losing seven players to the transfer portal this year.