Everything Tony Vitello said on the Mike Keith Show

Tennessee baseball coach Tony Vitello joined a star-studded guest list on the Mike Keith Show this past week ahead of Tennessee football’s home game with Arkansas on Saturday.

During the chat, the skipper detailed his program’s progression through fall ball with the additions of several transfers, impact freshmen and two-way prospects as he prepares for his ninth season on Rocky Top.

Below is a written transcript of Tony Vitello on the Mike Keith Show from October 9, 2025.   

Vitello on the turnout at the scrimmage last week…

“4,500. Tremendous group. The thing that has stuck out to me about our fanbase is they’re active. The people that were there were into the game. Of course they were active, running around trying to track down foul balls or autographs from our players. For a game that was a split-squad game, they were into it like they would almost be for a regular season game.”

Vitello on playing in Nashville for a scrimmage on October 26…

“That stadium is surrounded by so much to do, so maybe that boosts our efforts. I think when we go back to Chattanooga, it’ll be a brand new ballpark, we might be able to set some records there with even bigger numbers. The numbers in Nashville have exploded the last couple times we’ve been there and the games have been really competitive, as well. That game has a lot of built-in fan experience type events, too. Whether it’s kids running the bases after the game, I think there’s other photo opportunities. With how much goes on around the park and with what will be going on inside the park, we’re pretty jazzed up about that one, too, but we’ve got plenty of work to do between now and then.”

Vitello on former players in MLB selling recruiting, if Garrett Crochet will win the Cy Young…

“I think with [Tarik] Skubal, you never know who is going to win that argument. It would be incredible for him to take home that honor. He’s done so much in a short amount of time. I think guys seeing the success of those guys in the big leagues was huge, and then last year, having nine guys if I’m not mistaken, how ever many went on day one, it’s almost too many to count, it really had people taking note of it. Now, instead of selling a vision, we’re selling actual tangible things almost. The structure of our stadium is essentially complete. Stadium isn’t complete, but when you walk in, you can see the frame work. And then to use the frame work phrase, the frame work of our coaching staff recruiting, what will happen during your time if you play for us, what could happen after, I think all of that is contributing.”

Vitello on players quickly joining MLB rosters…

“That’s become a trend in Major League Baseball in general, but you have to be prepared. Our league does that for sure. I do think, and of course I’m a little bias because I’m wearing orange, I do think we’ve got a unique think of people like our strength coach, Coach Elander, Frank’s son pitched in the big leagues for 12 years. Our goal is to prepare guys so that they can get drafted in the best possible position, but also to go out and be prepared for all things that are pro ball. It’s worked. It’s complemented by the conference, but I do think it’s unique in Knoxville in what our guys get as far as preparation goes.”

Vitello on the team’s chemistry in fall…

“I just met with one of our team’s leaders and he felt like the locker room is in a really good place. It’s always great when the leaders will share some things that are going on. There’s always going to need to be adjustments or maybe 1-on-1 conversations with guys to give them a little better perspective. Team is not just a word that’s a cliche, we’ve got to achieve as a team or whatever you want to put on the back of a t-shirt. You’ve seen so many teams across so many different sports, different levels, they all have to have pieces. It’s awesome if you’ve got a superstar quarterback, or a tailback that’s a bruiser and you can hand him the ball whenever, but those guys can’t get ultimately what they’re looking for, which is a championship or to win a high percentage of games, unless there’s a bunch of pieces, including a special teams coordinator and a guy who can do this. There’s a lot of different pieces to the team. Last year we were very top heavy. I do think we were lacking in some of the pieces of the puzzle and this group seems to have a lot of them.”

Vitello on looking for transfers to complete the ‘puzzle’ for roster…

“Anytime you go through a season or an experience where something is missing, you want to fill those blanks so you don’t have the same feeling that’s lingering over the course of the summer. I do think we addressed some of those things. But also, we can go back-and-forth on what it looks like now, you don’t know what you really got until that season starts and the numbers start going up on the scoreboard, online statistics, social media people chime in, guys deal with their own thoughts. Opening Day to me is always the best day other than maybe Game 7 of the World Series, the best day for a baseball player or coach or program is Opening Day because it’s a fresh start. For a game that involves numbers, nothing better than a clean start and you can kind of paint your own canvas.”

Vitello on Virginia transfer Henry Ford…

“He’s matured and he’s not afraid to speak his mind or ask questions, which is refreshing. What makes it even better is it comes from a place of experience. He’s got a lot of it. But also, he’s just a very bright kid. When he first came to us, he wanted to move from right field to center field to show off his athleticism. Of course, let’s call it what it is, make yourself more marketable. So if we’re going to take that word into consideration, which, again, dates back to our convo about pro ball, is helping guys, whether it’s marketing them or preparing them. Why not try third base? It was his position in high school and he’s done very, very well over there for us. One play he didn’t make in Chattanooga was brought to our attention or I’m sure his too, but we’ll address that or get better at it. But he could be a double-threat and play both those positions for us this year at some point. Eventually, for a guy that’s going to be in the middle of the lineup during the course of the year, you probably want him to feel settled, but right now, I feel like he’s capable of playing both positions and being a leader.”

Vitello on Bowling Green transfer Garrett Wright and his versatility…

“Rare. Very rare. I think it speaks to his athleticism because he can really run. Athleticism can mean a lot of different things, but he can really run. But also I think it’s his willingness to do whatever. He just wants to play. He’s not a guy that asks a lot of questions. He’s kind of like the Energizer bunny, you just steer him in what direction you want him to go and he’s gonna go. Coach Anderson said it earlier today, when’s the last time we had a guy lay down a bunt and hit a home run in the same game? He did that over in Chattanooga. Just out by an eyelash at first base, but it was a good bunt. Then, he hit a big home run in the game. He’s versatile and we’re blessed to have him.

“The other category that sticks out for him was his hit-by-pitch record that took place in Bowling Green. We don’t want guys getting out of the way. We don’t want them getting hurt, either, but we don’t want guys getting out of the way. We want them getting on base. We want them accepting whatever position we ask them to play and Garrett does that and more.”

Vitello on 2-way Rice transfer Blaine Brown…

“I think we got three guys that are legitimate [2-way players] and can do it as long as they want to do it. Our program gets excited. In recruiting, there’s those conversations where people will paint a rosy picture, but in reality, it’s very difficult. We’re willing to work with those guys, put in extra hours, as long as they’re determined to do it. That’s all it will take for all three of those kids is determination. Blaine Brown is one, Evan Hankins is another one, Taylor Tracey another. Those guys have all been successful on the mound for us and they’ve hit home runs in a short amount of at-bats so far this year. Blaine’s swing is very, very unique. You know what type of athletic family he comes from with his dad spending time with the Titans and Texans, as well. He knows how to compete. He’s incredibly athletic. But ultimately the thing I wanted to get to was that swing. That swing is nice. If Coach Q [Quentin Eberhardt] can add some strength to that swing, because he’s got a big frame you’ve got to fill out, it could be a really fun career with the bat.”

Vitello on Rutgers transfer RHP Landon Mack…

“Sure. Having said that, there’s a whole group of guys you want to at least give them a look or at least have the debate up in the office, can this guy do that? That way you’re leaving no stone unturned. But when you really get to the core of the conversation, the number will shrink a little bit. There are certain things that a guy has to have. He has all those things. So not only is he in consideration, but I’d consider eligible based off of what our criteria is to certainly win one of those. It’s going to be up to him to do so. What day it is if he’s a starter or if it becomes a situation, where if we feel we’re better served, especially early in the year when guys’ pitch counts are low, you might piggy back two guys that throw four innings a piece. It’s kind of like you got one Skubal or one Crochet throwing for you with two guys combining effort. It might be that. The team chemistry thing is going real well right now. Our test will be when that lineup goes up in February and there’s only one line up and there’s only one weekend of pitching to dish out, is everybody juiced to do whatever they got to do to help our guys?”

Vitello on veteran LHP Brandon Arvidson…

“I think the ambitions were as high for him as anybody as it relates to coming back, proving to everybody that maybe he’s worthy of a better opportunity in the draft. Or that he’s worthy of better marks pitching for Tennessee, putting together a better year. More than anything, he just wants to prove some stuff to himself. It’s pretty cool. The best players I’ve coached, they’re not only trying to master their skillset, but they’re trying to master themselves as a person overall. He wants to be better at everything, including leading. Because his ambitions are so high, he got us excited. It’s like, let’s not scratch the surface of this deal without seeing if he can be a starter. I think with him, it’s almost kind of working backwards. I don’t mind saying that. I don’t think that offends anybody in the locker room. He showed he can pitch multiple innings for us and have success. See the Texas game in Hoover. Let’s give that a go and again, if he’s better served as a Swiss army knife, or piggy backing, or finishing a game, the one thing I know about Arv, he wants to lead this team to a winning season. He has told me in the office what a winning season is to him, so we’re gonna give him every opportunity to take the ball and lead the way.”

Vitello on returning RHP Tegan Kuhn…

“I think it was a breakout summer for him. It’d be hard to say in the Cape Cod where there’s a lot of attention in how well he did, and also what he did for us as a freshman, he did well. You want to see him stack improvement on top of that. He kind of came out of his shell. He’s more physical. There were just a lot of things you could point to or write down in his notes that make it a positive experience for the whole year. But if you were just going to subtract it and look at the summer, your answer is probably what you’re hinting at, he put together as good of a summer campaign as anyone.”

Vitello on returning infielder Manny Marin…

“The year in 2022, when we had an incredibly successful season, Cortland Lawson, Jorel Ortega and Trey Lipscomb were all candidates to play short. The way it worked out was that was the best combination for each. Even though Jorel is a really good third baseman, we felt he was the best guy at second. So, we’ll see who matches up where, but if you’re talking about does he have the qualities to be a middle of the order, SEC shortstop, every day guy by the time his career is done with us? There’s no question. Now, how quickly that happens for him and what’s best for the team, we’ll see. But I said the word career, Vol fans should be prepared that he is sophomore eligible. One way or the other, we’re all for him coming back, but he’s a candidate to go out and play pro ball after this season.”

Vitello on players who have stood out in fall ball so far…

“I think Levi Clark has surprised me how much better he’s just moving. Everybody sees him as a big, strong, physical hitter that’s a threat to hit homers. Last year he DHed a lot so you can kind of get stereotyped or typecast into well that’s who you are. He can legitimately now play left field, could play a high level of first baseman and be a catcher, as well, for us. And not just let’s get this bat in the lineup. I mean do well at those three spots because he’s just moving a lot more athletic. So not surprised that Levi is doing well for us and that he’s a leader, but just surprised at his level of improvement. I think a lot of that is Q is so good at getting these guys stronger, but getting these guys to functionally move like a baseball player.

“And then Ariel Antigua was a guy who had yet another hiccup this summer. Rare thing that I think ultimately we said it stemmed from pneumonia, but he did end up at UT Medical having to get worked on. He’s just had a lot of bad breaks. These have not been, they’re very unique injuries. Diving into first, jamming his thumb. Since his junior year of high school, he has not been able to consistently be out on that field and accumulate reps. He looks like a healthy, refreshed, excited and ambitious player out there. He’s going to need to be. You and the Vol fans have an idea of who these other infielders are, it’s a good crop. If he’s gonna be out there, he’s gonna need to play well and he’s gonna need to show the maturity of a third-year guy as a opposed to some of the growing pains we went through early in his career.”

Vitello on if he ever imagined so much baseball popularity in the month of October back when he first took the job…

“The biggest thing is the stadium, which is literally the biggest thing. It’s just every day a reminder and I can’t tell you the last time I’ve walked through those gates in center field which is kind of where we park now as coaches, you look at it like you’re at Disney Land and you’re six years old. It’s just big. They keep doing something every day. They’re working their butts off and they’ve cooperated with our guys so well. There is a lot of things that I didn’t think we’d be doing today or in general with our program, but the stadium is incredible. Everybody knows how ambitious Danny (White) is with facilities, and we’re the benefactor of that. And of course a lot of the players we’ve mentioned, like Trey Lipscomb, are guys who technically have helped build that deal. So to see it come together is awesome and we owe it to the players that helped do that, the administration, the donors, that have fueled that facility. The first year in it needs to be one that comes with memories, so that’s what we’re working for right now.”