​Tennessee pitcher Bo Rhudy was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh round of the 2026 MLB Draft, chosen with the 219th overall pick on July 12. The right-handed reliever became the third Tennessee player drafted in this year’s class, following Tegan Kuhns, who went in the first round to the St. Louis Cardinals, and Henry Ford, who joined the Colorado Rockies in the sixth round. Rhudy joined the Volunteers for the 2026 season after transferring from Kennesaw State, where he spent two earlier seasons. During his time in Knoxville, he emerged as one of Tennessee’s most relied-upon relievers, appearing 23 times and posting a 3.38 ERA over 32 innings, with three saves. He finished the year 1-1, striking out 41 and walking six, while also hit by a pitch twice.
Entering the draft, Rhudy was listed by MLB Pipeline as the No. 219 prospect and by ESPN as the No. 201 prospect. The No. 219 overall pick carried a slot value of $267,800. The scouting profile for Rhudy centers on a fastball that sits in the low 90s yet features a high spin rate and a deceptive release point, making it difficult for hitters to pick up. His fastball showed a 41 percent chase rate, a 35 percent swing-and-miss rate, and a 28 percent in-zone swing-and-miss rate, with a strong tendency to induce whiffs. Additionally, Rhudy ranks among the top pitchers in Division I for strike percentage, finishing last season with a 72 percent overall strike rate and a 77 percent fastball strike rate.
Rhudy’s repertoire is primarily two-pitch, complemented by a slider, and his velocity will need to increase as he advances in professional baseball. He has extensive experience as a reliever, with very little starting experience to date. The Phillies’ plan is for him to develop into a reliable bullpen option as he progresses through the organization.
Before transferring to Tennessee, Rhudy spent two seasons at Kennesaw State. In his freshman year of 2024, he made 19 appearances, including two starts, and went 4-1 with a 2.78 ERA, recording six saves and 32 strikeouts across 35.2 innings. In 2025, he posted a 3.16 ERA over 37 innings, registering 44 strikeouts, a 2-0 record, and five saves.
Rhudy proved to be a steadying force for a Tennessee bullpen that year, delivering consistency amid a shaky relief corps. Over 32 innings in 2026, he tallied a 3.38 ERA, led the team with a 0.88 WHIP, and allowed a .190 batting average against. He also totaled 41 strikeouts against just six walks, underscoring his control and ability to mix in a strike-throwing profile when faced with late-inning pressure.
This overview of Rhudy’s draft prospects and collegiate performance reflects his role as a dependable reliever with a fastball-heavy approach and a developing secondary pitch. As he begins his professional journey with the Phillies, the organization will look to unlock additional velocity and refinement in his slider, with the ultimate goal of establishing him as a versatile bullpen option in the near future.
Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Contact at emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com or via X at @EmmettSiegel_. This piece originally appeared in the Knoxville News Sentinel under the headline: Pros, cons of Phillies picking Tennessee’s Bo Rhudy in 2026 MLB Draft.