Jay Abernathy to play for Tennessee baseball, declining MLB Draft options on final day

Jay Abernathy will play for Tennessee baseball and no longer pursue the MLB Draft, he told Knox News on Tuesday.

The North Cobb (Georgia) middle infielder was ranked the No. 122 prospect going into the MLB Draft. He was not picked on the first two days of the draft and finalized his decision to play for the Vols in 2025. The final 10 rounds of the 2024 MLB Draft are Tuesday.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Abernathy is known for his speed and consistent contact at the plate. The left-handed swinging Abernathy has the skills to be a top-of-the-lineup bat.

Abernathy joined pitcher Tegan Kuhns as prospects who will come to UT instead of turning pro. Kuhns, a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher from Gettysburg Area High School in Pennsylvania, was the No. 96 prospect in the draft. He told Knox News on Monday he would be pitching for Tennessee next season as a two-year draft-eligible player.

Infielders Ty Southisene and Trey Snyder were the lone two Tennessee signees picked in the first 10 rounds. Southisene was picked in the fourth round by the Chicago Cubs with pick No. 120. Snyder was drafted No. 144 by the New York Mets as a fifth-round pick.

The Vols had seven signees ranked in the top-200 prospects, including Kuhns and pitcher Anson Seibert, who was ranked No. 108.

Tennessee had a program-record four players taken in the first two rounds.

Second baseman Christian Moore became the highest-drafted UT player under coach Tony Vitello when he was picked No. 8 overall by the Los Angeles Angels. First baseman Blake Burke was selected No. 34 by the Milwaukee Brewers in the competitive balance portion of the first round. Third baseman Billy Amick was picked No. 60 overall as the second-round pick of the Minnesota Twins. Outfielder Dylan Dreiling was No. 65 as the Texas Rangers' second-round pick.

TRACKER: Tracking Tennessee baseball players, signees picked in 2024 MLB Draft

The Vols had four picks Monday. Pitcher Drew Beam was picked in the third round by the Kansas City Royals with pick No. 76. Outfielder Kavares Tears was selected in the fourth round by the San Diego Padres with pick No. 134. Pitcher AJ Causey was taken in the fifth round by the Kansas City Royals with pick No. 138. Pitcher Aaron Combs rounded out the group as the eighth-round pick of the Chicago White Sox.

Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jay Abernathy to play for Tennessee baseball, not chase MLB Draft