VFL Signs $5M+ First-Round Deal With Giants
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
Former VFL standout Gavin Kilen inked his first professional contract, officially shipping him off to the Bay Area.
The No. 13 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft signed Sunday with the San Francisco Giants for $5,247,500, below the projected slow value of $5,524,300, per MLB.com's Jim Callis.
Kilen transferred to Tennessee after two seasons at Louisville, quickly becoming a fan favorite during his lone year in Knoxville.
The left-handed hitting infielder led the Volunteers in 2025 with a .357 batting average, while hitting 15 bombs, and four triples, earning first-team All-SEC honors while posting a career-best .441 on-base percentage.
His breakout season under Tony Vitello not only helped UT reach the super regionals after their National Championship run, but also solidified him as one of the most MLB-ready bats in the ‘25 Draft– where the Volunteers set a program-record with eight players selected in the first three rounds.
