How Tennessee signee Trevor Condon reacted after picked by Cardinals in MLB draft

It has long been presumed that Tennessee baseball signee Trevor Condon will skip college and sign with an MLB organization straight out of high school. Him being picked in the first round all but cemented that.

Condon, who signed with Tennessee in November, was selected No. 13 overall in the 2026 MLB Draft on July 11 by the St. Louis Cardinals. That pick has a slot value of $5,661,300.

In an interview with MLB Network shorty after being drafted, the Woodstock, Georgia, native expressed his excitement to join the Cardinals.

"I'm blessed," Condon said. "I can't be more grateful. I can't be more excited. I am honored to be a Cardinal and they're going to see what they got. That's for sure."

Condon, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed-hitting outfielder, was projected to be selected in the first half of the first round. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the No. 13 overall prospect entering the draft, the highest ranking among Tennessee signees — even ahead of Jared Grindlinger, who was picked one spot before Condon at No. 12 by the Los Angeles Angels.

"Honestly, in my truthful opinion, I've always thought I was that person," Condon said. "I've always carried myself with that sort of confidence. Not trying to make it come off that way. People can take it how they want to. I just do me. I know who I am, I know how I play the game and I know what I bring to a team."

First-round MLB draft picks who make it from high schools to college campuses are exceedingly rare. Unless a major surprise is in store — no deals have been officially announced — Condon and Grindlinger will likely both sign with pro teams and not play for the Vols.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know everybody," Condon said. "Thank you to the Cardinals for allowing me to hopefully one day lead y'all's program."

Emmett Siegel covers Tennessee baseball for Knox News. Email: emmett.siegel@knoxnews.com; X: @EmmettSiegel_

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: How Tennessee signee Trevor Condon reacted after picked by Cardinals in MLB draft