Tony Vitello is not slowing down on the recruiting trail as he continues to add top talent through the transfer portal. Vitello has signed some of the best players in the country through the transfer portal as he retools the roster for another run to Omaha.
Tennessee lost a significant number of pitchers in the transfer portal, with nearly two dozen players leaving Rocky Top for other opportunities. However, eight of those players did not register an appearance during the 2025 season.
As a result, Vitello has been aggressive in the portal, bringing in some of the top pitchers in the transfer portal throughout this cycle, including bringing in yet another all-conference pitcher to join the rotation.
Kansas transfer pitcher Cooper Moore is the newest player to join the Tennessee baseball transfer portal class. He was named Second Team All-Big 12 in his Sophomore season after starting in 14 games and finishing the year with a 7-3 record, 3.96 ERA, and 85 strikeouts.
There is no guarantee Moore will come to Rocky Top, although he has signed with the Vols. He is another draft-eligible transfer for the 2025 MLB Draft and could opt to pursue a professional baseball career rather than spend one more year in college with Tennessee.
If Moore does choose to come to Tennessee over the MLB, he could join a strong transfer class of pitchers, including former Rutgers RHP Landon Mack and former Virginia LHP Evan Blanco. That could be a big piece of Tennessee's pitching staff next year, with all three bringing starting experience.
Other pitchers coming to Tennessee include former Duke LHP Mark Hindy, former Rice two-way star Blaine Brown, former UNC Asheville RHP Clay Edmondson, former ETSU RHP Brady Frederick, former MIT RHP Mason Estrada, and Bowling Green two-way standout DJ Newman.
Vitello could be looking to add a couple more names to that list of pitchers brought in through the transfer portal. Tennessee has also hosted USC RHP Brodie Purcell on an official visit as another pitching prospect in this year's portal class.