Well, it seems as though Marcus Phillips might be pitching somewhere other than Knoxville in 2026.
Phillips posted a thank you to Vol fans that also feels close to a goodbye on Instagram on Monday night.
For those wondering if that’s a goodbye or not, the responses to the post should confirm that. Dalton Bargo put up a .gif with someone crying. Tega Kuhns said “go be great Phil”. Brandon Arvidson said “miss you Phil” with a crying emoji.
Phillips is a high draft prospect, so it wouldn’t be a surprise (and, in fact, it would be much closer to an expectation) that he ends up putting his name in the 2025 MLB draft, which will take place July 13-14 in Atlanta. Phillips is ranked as the #65 overall prospect by MLB.com as of today, so I would expect that’s where he’ll take his talents next year.
Phillips posted a 3.90 ERA with 98 strikeouts to 34 walks in 83 innings in 2025 as the Vols’ second weekend starter.