​Tennessee baseball product Garrett Wright heard his name called in the eighth round of the 2026 MLB Draft on July 12, when the Los Angeles Angels selected him with the 229th overall pick. Wright marked the fourth Vols player to hear his name announced in this year’s draft, joining pitchers Tegan Kuhns, who went in the first round to the St. Louis Cardinals; Henry Ford, a third baseman who joined the Colorado Rockies in the sixth round; and reliever Bo Rhudy, chosen by the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh round. The Angels also used the No. 12 overall pick to select Vols signee Jared Grindlinger, the brother of current Tennessee player Trent Grindlinger.
During his junior season with Tennessee, Wright split time between catcher and center field after transferring from Wright State. He served as Tennessee’s leadoff hitter and led the Vols in batting average at .348, on-base plus slugging (OPS) at 1.033, and hit-by-pitches with 19. His mix of contact ability and speed made him a difficult out, and he consistently made hard contact, particularly off fastballs. However, his power isn’t considered above-average, which tempered some evaluators’ projections.
MLB Pipeline ranked Wright as the No. 190 prospect in the draft, while ESPN listed him at No. 162. The 229th overall pick carries a slot value of $249,300. Scouts praised Wright for elite bat-to-ball skills and for reaching base at a high clip, with a tendency to put the ball in play rather than chase pitches outside the zone. His willingness to take a pitch here and there and the occasional walk-off effort were offset by a relatively modest walk rate, with just 13 walks in the last season, though his perseverance at the plate showed up in a high number of hit-by-pitches—19 in three college seasons.
Defensively, Wright’s versatility stands out. He’s strong behind the plate and in the outfield, and in 2026 he committed only one error while recording nine assists, suggesting long-term value primarily as a catcher. His background reflects a pro-ready toolkit, particularly for a player who can slot into multiple roles depending on team needs.
Wright’s two collegiate seasons before Tennessee showcased his development at Wright State, where he established himself as one of the Mid-American Conference’s top performers. As a freshman, he hit .380 with six homers and 28 RBIs, posting a .503 on-base percentage and an OPS of 1.084. His sophomore year continued the ascent, as he hit .406 with eight homers, 20 doubles, four triples, and 48 RBIs. His on-base percentage climbed to .513, aided by a program-record 28 hit-by-pitches in that season alone, underscoring his willingness to extend at-bats and his contact skills.
Wright’s impact at Tennessee was pronounced despite a delayed start to the season caused by a broken hamate bone in his left hand. Returning to the lineup, he instantly became Tennessee’s catalyst at the top of the order, guiding the offense with a .348 batting average, nine home runs, and 30 RBIs. His on-base prowess persisted, as he drew 13 walks and was hit by pitches 19 times, contributing to the team’s 1.033 OPS. In the field, he made only one error and finished with a defensive fielding percentage of .994, signaling reliability both behind the plate and in the outfield.
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. You can reach him at em for better SEO.