Tennessee Baseball Seeking More From Sophomore Pitcher Brayden Krenzel

Krenzel has struggled with control and consistency in SEC play so far this season.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 6:48pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Tennessee baseball pitcher in the midst of his delivery, with the motion and form of the player broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.Tennessee's pitching staff, led by the struggling Brayden Krenzel, faces a crucial test against No. 9 Mississippi State this weekend.Starkville Today

Tennessee baseball's pitching staff has been inconsistent through the first month of SEC play, with sophomore right-hander Brayden Krenzel being one of the biggest concerns. Krenzel has made five appearances in SEC competition, allowing eight earned runs and picking up three losses while recording just six outs. Head coach Josh Elander said the team is working with Krenzel on his delivery to help him regain his control and get back to attacking hitters, as he has shown the ability to be one of Tennessee's most reliable arms when he's at his best.

Why it matters

Tennessee's pitching depth has been a major issue so far in SEC play, and getting Krenzel back on track could be crucial for the Volunteers as they look to pick up key wins against ranked conference opponents like this weekend's series at No. 9 Mississippi State.

The details

Krenzel has struggled mightily with his control in SEC play, hitting three batters and walking four others in his five appearances. In Tennessee's series finale loss against LSU, Krenzel came in to start the 12th inning and hit the only batter he faced. Despite the early-season struggles, Elander said the coaching staff is confident they can get Krenzel back to the form he showed at times last season, when he was one of Tennessee's most reliable arms in conference play.

  • Krenzel has made five appearances in SEC play so far this season.
  • In Tennessee's series finale loss against LSU, Krenzel came in to start the 12th inning and hit the only batter he faced.
  • Tennessee is set to face No. 9 Mississippi State in Starkville this weekend, with the series opener scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Friday.

The players

Brayden Krenzel

A sophomore right-handed pitcher for the Tennessee baseball team who has struggled with control and consistency in SEC play so far this season.

Josh Elander

The head coach of the Tennessee baseball team, who said the coaching staff is working with Krenzel on his delivery to help him regain his control and get back to attacking hitters.

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What they’re saying

“I know that they're continuing to work on some things with the delivery to get him back in the strike zone, because objectively, when Krenz is Krenz, the stuff is gross. It's really, really good stuff. It's 98 (mph) with a really good breaking ball, but there's been a little bit of Jekyll and Hyde right there.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

“It's our job as coaches to work him through that, and I'm confident our pitching staff and everybody to get him there. I talked to him pregame. He's in a good headspace, and we just need him to get in that right spot and get back to attacking like he does, because he's really, really good when he does that.”

— Josh Elander, Tennessee Head Coach

What’s next

Tennessee is set to face No. 9 Mississippi State in Starkville this weekend, with the series opener scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Friday. The Volunteers will be desperate to pick up key wins against the ranked Bulldogs as they look to bounce back from their early struggles in SEC play.

The takeaway

Brayden Krenzel's early-season struggles in SEC play have been a major concern for the Tennessee baseball team, but the coaching staff remains confident they can get the talented sophomore right-hander back on track. Improving Krenzel's control and consistency will be crucial for the Volunteers as they look to turn things around and pick up key wins against ranked conference opponents.