​Tennessee baseball signee Kaiden McCarthy was selected No. 48 overall in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves on July 11. The right-handed pitcher from Chester, Vermont, becomes the first high school player from Vermont ever drafted in the top two rounds, a historic milestone for the state. Prior to McCarthy, only two Vermont prospects had been taken within the first five rounds of the draft.
The No. 48 overall pick comes with a slot value of $2,081,900. When McCarthy committed to Tennessee on November 1, he marked the inaugural signing of the Josh Elander era for the Vols, choosing Tennessee after visits to Arizona and Wake Forest. Although he originally belonged to the 2027 class, McCarthy reclassified in January, making him one of the youngest players in the 2026 class.
This year, three Tennessee signees have seen their names called in the draft. Two-way talent Jared Grindlinger, brother of current Vol Trent Grindlinger, was selected No. 12 overall by the Los Angeles Angels, and outfielder Trevor Condon went No. 13 overall to the St. Louis Cardinals. McCarthy is part of this notable trio of Tennessee signees who earned draft recognition.
McCarthy is a diminutive yet dynamic pitcher, standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, with a fastball that reaches 99 miles per hour. His arsenal and performance have drawn raves, positioning him as one of the state’s most highly regarded prospects in history. During his time at Vermont Academy, he posted a remarkable 0.72 ERA, recorded 42 strikeouts, and issued only six walks, while being named the Vermont Gatorade Player of the Year in 2026. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the No. 61 prospect in the draft, underscoring his standing among the sport’s top young talents.
McCarthy’s development and potential have been a focal point for Tennessee fans and scouts alike. His success in Vermont, combined with his rapid rise after reclassifying into the 2026 class, suggests a bright future at the collegiate level and, potentially, at the professional level down the line. As he joins the Braves organization, the storyline of a Vermont-native pitcher making a national impact at top levels of baseball adds a compelling chapter to this draft class and to Tennessee’s ongoing pipeline of talented signees.
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_ This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel. For better SEO, the focus is on the Tennessee signee Kaiden McCarthy’s draft selection, his Vermont roots, and the broader context of Tennessee’s signees being drafted in 2026.