The Tennessee baseball team recently concluded its fall practice, capping off six weeks of preparation with a three-game Orange-and-White Fall World Series. As the Volunteers gear up for the upcoming season, several key storylines emerged from the team's fall activities, showcasing the depth and potential of this year's squad.

Unlocking the Vols' Pitching Potential

Liam Doyle Emerges as a Dominant Friday Night Starter

One of Tennessee's biggest offseason acquisitions was the addition of Ole Miss transfer Liam Doyle, and the left-handed pitcher wasted no time in making a strong impression during the fall. Doyle, who served as the Rebels' Saturday starter a season ago, looked poised to take a significant step forward in Knoxville.In the five outings I witnessed, Doyle was simply dominant, pounding the strike zone and baffling batters with his off-speed offerings, particularly his changeup. Over those eight innings, he allowed just two hits and no runs, while striking out 16 batters. While I'm sure he gave up some runs on days I wasn't present, Doyle's overall performance this fall suggests he's ready to emerge as a top-end SEC starting pitcher.

Depth and Uncertainty in the Pitching Staff

Beyond Doyle, Tennessee's pitching staff presents a bit more of a work in progress, though the Volunteers do have depth to work with. Nate Snead and Dylan Loy are the other two arms I'm particularly high on, but the rest of the staff had more up-and-down outings during the fall.Talents like Tegan Kuhns, Tanner Franklin, Andrew Behnke, Brandon Ardvidson, Marcus Phillips, Tanner Crabtree, and Ryan Combs all showed flashes of potential, but they lack the meaningful SEC experience that would make them surefire options. It's going to take some time for the Volunteers to solidify their pitching rotation and bullpen, but with Frank Anderson leading the charge, I trust the staff will come together.

Stone Lawless Carves Out a Consistent Role

While the pitching staff may be a work in progress, one player who seems to have solidified his role is redshirt freshman catcher Stone Lawless. Lawless had a strong fall, consistently hitting the ball hard and showcasing his versatility by also looking capable at first base.With Cannon Peebles firmly entrenched as the Volunteers' top catcher, Lawless is poised to serve as the team's second option behind the plate. He'll likely start in some weekend games and midweek contests, while also potentially earning designated hitter opportunities when he's not behind the plate.

Freshmen Bats Poised to Make an Impact

One of the most exciting developments from Tennessee's fall practice was the impressive performances of the team's talented freshman class, particularly at the plate. Players like Jay Abernathy, Levi Clark, and Manny Marin all stood out with their ability to hit for power and make consistent contact.Abernathy, a freakishly athletic infielder, also showed his versatility by logging significant time in the outfield. Clark, a catcher/first baseman, hit a pair of home runs during the Fall World Series, while Marin, an infielder, demonstrated an incredibly consistent bat with both power and contact skills.While there may not be an abundance of starting spots immediately available for these freshmen, it's clear they will push for playing time and make an impact, whether it's as everyday starters or in key pinch-hit situations.

Dalton Bargo's Versatility Remains a Wild Card

Junior Dalton Bargo is another intriguing piece of the Volunteers' lineup, having hit .280 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs last season. However, Bargo's fall was disrupted by a finger injury, which sidelined him for the latter part of the practice period.Bargo's versatility is one of his greatest assets, with head coach Tony Vitello likening him to a "Ben Zobrist" type player. While Bargo's exact role for the upcoming season remains uncertain, his ability to play multiple positions and contribute at the plate makes him a valuable wild card in the Volunteers' lineup.