Grant Withdraws from Draft.
Tennessee Baseball Signee Gannon Grant Withdraws from 2026 MLB Draft, Plans for 2028 Eligibility.
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Gannon Grant, a 20-year-old right-handed pitcher committed to Tennessee, is withdrawing from the 2026 MLB Draft after going undrafted through the first nine rounds, according to Knox News. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound hurler from Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana, will instead head to Knoxville to play college ball for the Volunteers.
Grant had been ranked the No. 54 college prospect in the 2026 draft class, The Leaf Chronicle reported. His decision to withdraw means he will not be eligible for the MLB Draft again until 2028.
A Top-50 Prospect Falls Through Nine Rounds
Grant entered draft week as one of the more highly regarded prep pitchers available. Ranked No. 54 among college prospects, he was considered a realistic early-round target. But nine rounds passed without his name being called, Oak Ridger reported. That gap between expectation and reality made the withdrawal decision straightforward.
The 2026 MLB Draft includes 20 rounds total. By not being selected in the first nine, Grant faced a choice: accept a late-round offer with limited signing bonus money, or withdraw and head to college. He chose Tennessee.
Grant Will Play for Tennessee, Not Turn Pro
By withdrawing from the draft, Grant keeps his college eligibility fully intact. He will suit up for the Volunteers, one of college baseball's elite programs. Tennessee has become a top destination for pitching prospects in recent years, consistently competing in the College World Series.
Grant's path to the pros now runs through Knoxville. If he develops well at Tennessee, he could return to the draft as a stronger candidate in 2028, Yahoo Sports noted. College pitchers with strong SEC showings often climb draft boards significantly.
The 2028 Draft Is Now Grant's Next Window
Under MLB draft rules, players who withdraw from the draft to attend a four-year college must wait three years before re-entering. For Grant, that means 2028 is his next shot. He will have two or three college seasons to prove himself before that window opens.
At 20 years old, Grant is not losing prime development time. Many successful pitchers use college as a proving ground. Playing in the Southeastern Conference — one of the toughest leagues in college baseball — will give him high-level competition every weekend.
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