DALLAS, Texas – It’s tough to turn on relevancy. However, it’s clear, Tennessee’s athletic department matters in bucket loads, even during the Major League Baseball Draft.
In what was originally suspected to be a rebuilding year, the Vols produced four high picks in the MLB Draft on Sunday. Former Vol second baseman Christian Moore went eighth overall to the Los Angeles Angels. First baseman Blake Burke was selected 34th by the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Minnesota Twins selected third baseman Billy Amick with the 60th pick overall. Outfielder Dylan Dreiling was selected with the 65th pick by the Texas Rangers.
Several Vols could still be selected, including pitcher Drew Beam, outfielder Kavares Tears and pitcher A.J. Causey.
It may seem odd for the Vols to be in the news during a random summer Sunday. However, that’s just how Tennessee rolls nowadays. If they’re not in the College World Series, they’re making an Elite Eight run or building a respectable college football program, which will be on display at SEC Media Days in Dallas this week.
There’s absolutely no beating free publicity when it comes to building a program. So it certainly didn’t hurt that Tony Vitello was one of the analysts used by Major League Baseball to break down the draft. There is where you get added value from Vitello.
Let’s face it. Vitello is a good-looking guy, well-spoken coach that has become the bearded face of college baseball. That’s marketing gold for the Vols’ athletic department.
Football coach Josh Heupel will be on the stage for SEC Media Days on Monday. He’s not exactly Vitello-like when it comes to working a room. Heupel likes to keep things quiet and takes pride in not revealing anything in a press conference. Perhaps Heupel could learn something from Vitello before the Vols hit the SEC Media Days’ circuit on Tuesday? Well, probably not.
It would be disingenuous for Heupel to try to be something he’s not. There is just is a different comfort between the two coaches when it comes to sharing one’s inner most thoughts. Of course, some of that is that baseball is a different game. One can be more outgoing. That doesn’t completely excuse Heupel.
Heupel could try to shake things up, as other coaches have done in the past, such as South Carolina coach Shane Beamer showing up to media days with a recently produced rap video in hand, but I don’t see Heupel doing that.
Heupel doesn’t have the same charisma publicly that Vitello has, but that doesn’t matter. Heupel’s offense is his beard – and he’s not afraid to show it off.
Coverage of SEC Media Days from Dallas, Texas is brought to you by WorkTrux and Volunteer Automotive Group.
