​Tegan Kuhns, a 6’3”, 190-pound right-handed pitcher from the University of Tennessee, is poised to extend the Volunteers’ growing reputation for developing big, power-armed pitchers. Following the Cardinals’ selections of Liam Doyle and Tanner Franklin in the prior draft, Kuhns represents another hard-throwing arm joining a pitching pipeline that has become a cornerstone of Tennessee’s program. His selection over prep shortstop Taj Marchand, a name the Cardinals had been closely watching, signals a strategic emphasis on adding velocity and upside on the mound, as teams often emphasize velocity to complement advanced pitching development.
Kuhns sits in the mid-90s with his fastball, routinely sitting 93-96 mph and reaching up to 98 mph, with late life that injects carry into the zone. His fastball plays up thanks to real ride and extension, allowing him to challenge hitters and attack the strike zone effectively. He complements this power with an upper-70s curveball that offers significant downward movement and depth, giving him a pair of plus offerings that can destabilize hitters when paired together. The combination of a fastball with substantial life and a reliable breaking ball gives Kuhns two legitimate power pitches that project as front-half rotation material as he continues to mature physically.
While Kuhns has the dynamic arsenal teams love, his development has been tempered by the hunt for a dependable third pitch. He currently labors to land a consistent mid-80s changeup or a low-80s slider for strikes, and he has moved away from an upper-80s cutter that didn’t provide the necessary consistency. This creates a noticeable gap in his repertoire that, if filled, could transform him from a high-ceiling arm into a bona fide top-of-rotation starter. Nevertheless, his athletic delivery is already showing signs of repeatability as he strengthens, a factor that often correlates with improved control and command down the line.
Kuhns has shown a commendable ability to locate the strike zone, a trait that became even more pronounced during his time pitching in the Cape Cod League, where he logged a strong performance season and refined his mound presence. That experience has translated into a more consistent delivery and a greater ability to command his pitches in college games this spring. His progression suggests a pitcher who can slot into the front half of a rotation, especially as he adds strength and sharpness to his third pitch.
In terms of scouting grades, Kuhns is viewed as a pitcher with frontline upside. Fastball and curveball sit at a plus level, while his slider and changeup trail behind but show varying degrees of potential with mechanical refinement and velocity adjustments. His control grade reflects a solid ability to command innings, with room for improvement as he continues to adjust to higher levels of competition. Overall, Kuhns projects as a high-impact arm who can contribute at the top of a rotation, particularly if he can sharpen his third offering and maintain his velocity as he fills out his 6-foot-3 frame.
Grading snapshot (via MLB Pipeline): Fastball 60, Curveball 60, Slider 45, Changeup 45, Control 55, Future Value (FV) 55. These marks reflect a pitcher with two plus pitches and a workable third option, whose development trajectory is tied to the refinement of his auxiliary pitches and his ability to sustain command under pro-level pressure.
Bottom line: Tegan Kuhns embodies the archetype of a modern, power-first starter with a high ceiling. He brings a combination of velocity, spin, and athletic projection that makes him an attractive fit for teams prioritizing pitching upside in the early rounds. If he can translate his upper-70s curve into a reliable secondary option, and if his changeup and slider mature into legitimate third-pitch offerings, Kuhns could emerge as a bona fide frontline starter. As he continues to strengthen and refine his arm action and delivery repeatability, the Tennessee product could cement himself as a cornerstone piece in a future rotation, contributing to the Cardinals’ ongoing emphasis on building a robust pitching pipeline.