University of Tennessee pitcher Zach Warren was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 14th round (413th overall) of the 2017 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
With his selection, Warren joins third baseman Jordan Rodgers (sixth round — Atlanta) and pitcher Kyle Serrano (10th round – Houston) as Tennessee’s 2017 Major League Draft picks through the first 14 rounds.
Previously drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates (23rd round — 2014) out of high school, Warren is the 130th all-time draft selection for the Volunteers since 1965 and is the first pick by Philadelphia out of Rocky Top since fellow lefty VFL Bryan Morgado was taken in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft.
Warren claimed Tennessee’s Saturday starter role to begin 2017 before transitioning into one of Tennessee’s go-to relievers. He started 11 of 18 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save and 6.31 ERA while collecting 34 strikeouts over 51.1 innings of work.
Prior to the 2017 season, Warren was tabbed a Top 100 Draft Prospect (No. 64) by Baseball America and earned a position on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. The Vineland, New Jersey native was the 20th Tennessee player to join Team USA and just the third Volunteer pitcher to make the roster in school history. He was first Vol to represent the United States on the hill since VFL and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley served as an alternate on the 2012 squad.
Warren maintained a 4.04 ERA over a career-high 75.2 innings pitched during his sophomore campaign. He fired 58 strikeouts and allowed 34 earned runs en route to earning five wins that season.
As a freshman on UT’s staff in 2015, Warren saw action in eight games, making five starts. He totaled 23.0 innings of work and threw 16 strikeouts to earn two wins.
Over 40 career appearances (30 starts) for the Orange and White, Warren is 9-10 with a 4.98 ERA and 108 strikeouts in 150.0 innings pitched.
-UT Athletics
