Talented newcomer Maui Ahuna OUT tonight for Tennessee vs. Arizona
When Tennessee takes the field this evening against Arizona for its first game of the MLB Desert Invitational, the Vols will be without star short stop Maui Ahuna.
The infielder is working through some ‘eligibility issues’ with the NCAA, per a statement released by Tennessee. His status for the remaining two games against Grand Canyon (Saturday) and UC San Diego (Sunday) in the tournament is unclear.
“Tennessee junior infielder Maui Ahuna is inactive as we await his eligibility clearance,” the statement said.
The former Kansas Jayhawk came to Knoxville by way the transfer portal this offseason. Ahuna made headlines yesterday when it was announced he signed an NIL deal with Weigel’s Stores and was featured in a 30-second commercial decked out in a Tennessee white and orange style uniform. The uniform also featured Weigel’s name in a script font that mimics what the Volunteers wear.
The short stop checks in at No. 22 on MLB Pipeline’s top draft prospects after starting every game as a freshman and sophomore in Lawrence. Batting .396 in 2022, he hit eight home runs, 48 RBI and 13 stolen bases while leading the ballclub in average, on-base percentage (.479), slugging percentage (.634), hits (80), triples (4), walks (28) and stolen bags.
The infielder finished the campaign riding a 20-game hit-streak and tallied 23 multi-hit days, including 10 three-hit performances. Defensively, Ahuna made SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays twice for his work on the dirt. The new Volunteer spent his sophomore summer with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
Tennessee vs. Arizona – 8 pm ET – MLB Network | MLB.com | Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Second-year skipper Chip Hale could turn in a lineup card Friday nigh that returns seven starters from last year’s squad, who lost 22-6 in the finale of the NCAA Coral Gables Regional to eventual national champion, Ole Miss.
Right-handed pitcher TJ Nichols (No. 69 on MLB Pipeline’s 2023 Prospect Rankings) is the expected starter for the Wildcats on Friday. The junior collected a 6-4 record in 2022 with a 5.50 ERA, striking out 84 batters in the process. His fastball sits in the upper 90s while his slider ranges from 84-87 mph.
D1 Baseball projects Arizona as an NCAA Regional team this season and to finish fourth in the Pac-12 this season, behind Stanford, UCLA and Oregon. The strength of this team will come from offense as unanimous Preseason All-American and Golden Spikes Award Watch List outfielder Chase Davis (No. 51 on MLB Pipeline’s 2023 Prospect Rankings) returns after slugging .289 in 2022 with 18 home runs and 54 RBI, registering 13 doubles and 56 runs scored.
Fellow Preseason All-Pac 12 honoree Nik McClaughtry tallied a .265 average with 21 extra-base hits and 57 runs scored last season. A fifth-year, the short stop has anchored two NCAA Tournament teams with one reaching Omaha. Relief pitcher Trevor Long is an option to close games as the preseason all-conference pitcher tallied a 6-3 record with seven saves a year ago.
