Tony Vitello previews Cannon Peebles ahead of 2024 season

Tony Vitello previews catcher transfer Cannon Peebles ahead of the 2024 season.

North Carolina State catcher and designated hitter transfer Cannon Peebles committed to Tennessee on June 27, 2023.

He started 39 games in 2023 as a freshman at North Carolina State, recording a .352 batting average, 12 home runs, 50 hits, 50 RBIs, 30 runs and 27 walks. 30 starts for Peebles came as the Wolfpack’s designated hitter and nine as a catcher.

Peebles led all North Carolina State hitters with a .348 batting average and a .742 slugging percentage in ACC play, while tying for first with seven home runs. He produced a .330 batting average or higher from both sides of the plate in 2023.

Ahead of the 2024 campaign, Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discussed Peebles.

“I think that’s a bat that’s tough to keep out of the lineup each day and his competitive spirit, too, but we don’t want to, again, wear anyone down early in the year behind the dish,” Vitello said. “We’ll probably balance those guys out as best as we can, and then when you get to May, or hopefully June, that’s kind of when you write out what you think is the best lineup.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire