Elite Southpaw Shocks MLB Scouts by Declining Draft Offers, Choosing to Suit Up for Tennessee Baseball Volunteers Instead This Fall

In an era where top high school baseball prospects often chase lucrative MLB contracts straight out of graduation, one elite left-handed pitcher has made a decision that sent shockwaves through scouting departments and reaffirmed the rising power of college baseball: he’s heading to Knoxville.

Despite being projected as a top-40 selection in the 2025 MLB Draft and drawing comparisons to young phenoms like Andrew Miller and Blake Snell, 18-year-old southpaw phenom Carson Mitchell stunned the baseball world by announcing he would forego the professional ranks—for now—and honor his commitment to play for the Tennessee Volunteers.

“Money comes and goes,” Mitchell said in a heartfelt statement released through his agency. “But development, maturity, and the chance to compete for a national championship in front of thousands at Lindsey Nelson Stadium? That’s priceless.”

Mitchell’s decision is as rare as his arm talent. A 6-foot-4 left-hander from Canton, Georgia, Mitchell was ranked No. 18 overall on most major scouting boards and had climbed into late first-round territory after a dominant senior season. With a fastball that touches 96 mph, a slider that generates whiffs in double digits, and a polished changeup, Mitchell is as close to “MLB-ready” as prep pitchers come.

MLB scouts had him pegged as a no-doubt Day 1 selection. Multiple teams—most notably the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and St. Louis Cardinals—were reportedly preparing seven-figure bonus offers to lure him away from his college pledge. But Mitchell, mature beyond his years, said he believes the path through college will be best for his career long-term.

“I’ve watched Tennessee develop elite pitchers into professionals—guys who not only got to The Show but stayed there,” Mitchell said. “I believe in Coach Vitello, I believe in that staff, and I believe I can become even better in the SEC.”

It’s a massive coup for Tony Vitello and the Volunteers. Tennessee’s head coach, already considered one of the premier recruiters and developers in college baseball, now adds one of the nation’s most prized prep arms to a 2025 roster that already looked like a national championship contender. In a conference loaded with talent like LSU, Arkansas, and Florida, Mitchell gives Tennessee an X-factor that very few programs can match: a potential Friday night ace straight out of high school.

Vitello, who has guided the Vols to Omaha in two of the last four seasons, has built a pitching factory in Knoxville. Just ask Chase Burns, Drew Beam, and Chase Dollander—all pitchers who arrived with potential and left with professional-ready arsenals. Now, Mitchell hopes to follow in their footsteps.

“I want to pitch under the lights on Friday nights. I want to strike out SEC hitters. I want to earn my shot,” Mitchell said. “The league will humble you. That’s the point. I want to be humbled and sharpened before I step into the big leagues.”

The reaction from the MLB community was swift—and mixed. One anonymous NL scouting director said, “It’s a gut punch. We had him penciled in. But you have to respect it. This kid knows who he is.” Another AL regional scout added, “He’s got the tools to pitch in Double-A right now. But he wants three years in Knoxville? More power to him. That’s scary for SEC hitters.”

College baseball insiders, meanwhile, view Mitchell’s decision as another sign of the shifting tides in amateur baseball. With Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities now part of the equation, top-tier talent is no longer forced to choose between development and compensation.

“There’s a new age dawning,” said D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers. “Carson Mitchell is exactly the kind of player who used to take the $2.5 million signing bonus and never look back. Now? With the right support and NIL backing, the college game becomes not only a viable alternative—but a smart one.”

Sources close to Tennessee’s program indicate that Mitchell has secured a modest NIL package, mostly tied to local businesses, apparel deals, and performance incentives should the Vols reach Omaha. But money, sources insist, was never the driving factor.

“This is about being ready,” said Mitchell’s father, Doug, a former JUCO pitcher himself. “Carson doesn’t want to just get drafted. He wants to stay. And to do that, he knows he needs polish. College baseball is where you get it now.”

In his final high school season at Creekview High, Mitchell posted video game numbers: a 0.73 ERA, 127 strikeouts in 67 innings, and just 11 walks. He threw two no-hitters, including one in the Georgia state playoffs. With his tall, deceptive frame and repeatable mechanics, Mitchell already profiles as a future MLB starter. But scouts believe his velocity could tick up even higher in college with added strength and conditioning.

Tennessee pitching coach Frank Anderson will now have the enviable task of molding Mitchell into his next success story. “He’s got all the tools,” Anderson said. “But what I love most is his mindset. He doesn’t want it now. He wants it right. And when a kid that talented has that kind of patience and hunger, you don’t get in his way—you just guide him.”

For Tennessee fans, the excitement is already building. The thought of Mitchell taking the mound at Lindsey Nelson Stadium next spring has sparked a wave of buzz through Knoxville. Student ticket interest has surged. Merch with Mitchell’s name and No. 18—his high school number—is already rumored to be in production. One fan account tweeted simply, “Lefty legend loading.”

Mitchell will join a 2025 Vols squad returning a veteran infield, a strong bullpen, and a deep outfield rotation. But his arrival gives Tennessee what most championship teams need: a true stopper.

“It’s rare to find a freshman that can win you a series every single week,” said one former Vols pitcher. “Mitchell’s that guy. He’s got the stuff to strike out 10, and the poise to go deep into games. He’s built for it.”

His journey won’t be without pressure. As arguably the most high-profile freshman pitcher in the country, Mitchell will be under the microscope from the moment he sets foot on Rocky Top. But if his decision-making is any indication, he won’t be fazed.

“There’s going to be noise. People will ask, ‘What if you blow out your elbow? What if you never get that draft spot again?’” Mitchell acknowledged. “But that’s life. You’ve got to bet on yourself—and I’m betting on Tennessee.”

And Tennessee is betting big on him.

With Carson Mitchell in orange and white, Tony Vitello’s Volunteers may have just taken the biggest step yet toward finally hoisting that elusive national championship trophy. And as for those MLB teams who thought they had him locked in?

They’ll have to wait three more years—and hope they get another shot.

Until then, the SEC better prepare. The next great lefty isn’t heading to the minors.

He’s heading to Knoxville.