Former Vol Drew Gilbert a part of huge deal at MLB trade deadline
Welcome to the Big Apple. Drew Gilbert, the Vols' former star outfielder, is headed to the New York Mets as part of a trade for ace pitcher Justin Verlander. Verlander heads back to Houston, where he helped the Astros win two world championships in six seasons (2017, 2022). Gilbert is the key piece in the […]
Welcome to the Big Apple.
Drew Gilbert, the Vols' former star outfielder, is headed to the New York Mets as part of a trade for ace pitcher Justin Verlander. Verlander heads back to Houston, where he helped the Astros win two world championships in six seasons (2017, 2022).
Gilbert is the key piece in the deal for the Mets. As the top-ranked prospect in the Astros farm system, Gilbert was playing for the AA Corpus Christi Hooks before he was dealt.
He started the 2023 season in the minor leagues at the high-A level with the Asheville Tourists, where he hit a staggering .360 average with a 1.107 OPS and 6 home runs in just 86 plate appearances.
He was promoted during the season to Corpus Christi, where things have understandably been a bit tougher for Gilbert as he acclimates to the jump in skill level. So far in 2023 for Corpus Christi, Gilbert has posted a .241 average and an .713 OPS mark with 6 home runs in 224 plate appearances. He has posted a solid 33 walks though.
Gilbert will also join fellow former UT teammate Blade Tidwell with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Tidwell will make his first start Tuesday night for the Rumble Ponies, having recently been elevated to AA from the A+ Brooklyn Cyclones, where he posted a solid stat line of a 3.09 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and an average of .190 against him.
Now, Tennessee fans interested in following some of the stars of one of the most beloved sports team in recent UT history can do so in one place. With some hard work and good fortune, they'll hopefully continue moving up towards the big stage together soon.
Why Tennessee Vols RHP Blade Tidwell is a perfect fit for the New York Mets
The New York Mets got a massive steal on Sunday night by landing Tennessee Vols right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. Tidwell was viewed as a first-round talent who slipped to the second round due to concerns about his shoulder. The Tennessee native experienced shoulder soreness […]
Featured image via Angela Piazza/Caller-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
