National Champion VFL Catcher Set To Sign With Cleveland Guardians
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
After helping Vol Baseball win their first National Championship in program history in 2024, proud VFL Cannon Peebles is set to begin his professional journey and sign with the Cleveland Guardians, he told Ben McKee of GoVols247.
Peebles was selected in the 17th round of the 2025 MLB Draft with the No. 522 overall pick, reuniting with UT shortstop Dean Curley, who went No. 64 overall by Cleveland.
Peebles played a crucial role in Tennessee’s 2024 national title run, starting 30 games behind the plate while appearing in 54 games overall. He helped guide a pitching staff that delivered a 60-13 record and secured both the SEC regular season and tournament titles.
As a junior in 2025, Peebles raised his offensive production in a big way, slashing .253/.335/.483 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 178 at-bats.
With his signing imminent, Peebles was the ninth and final draft pick in a historic 2025 MLB Draft class for Tony Vitello and company.
As Peebles prepares for his professional career to begin, he leaves Rocky Top with a National Championship ring and the legacy of being a VFL.
