Teasley makes Tennesees plans official
Mikee Teasley, 2025 Mr. Baseball and Oak Ridge senior, is joined by family members to celebrate the siging of his letter-of-intent to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. (photo:ORHS Sports Media )
Teasley, a standout pitcher and third baseman for the Wildcats, signed his National Letter of Intent last week to play at the University of Tennessee. The signing ceremony was held at Oak Ridge High School.
He committed to the Volunteers in October 2024 and said playing for the Big Orange has always been his dream.
“I grew up in East Tennessee and I’ve always bled orange,” said Teasley, who was named Class 4A Mr. Baseball in 2025 after leading Oak Ridge to a second consecutive state tournament appearance. “I was all Vols growing up and I’ve always followed them, no matter if they were good or not. The 2024 national championship appealed to me.
“But the thing that really appealed to me was going to the Alabama football game and seeing that crowd and the fan base and how supportive they were.”
Teasley plans to major in sports management at UT. While he hopes to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft, he also has interest in becoming a sports agent or cardiologist.
“Obviously, I’m hoping to get drafted,” he said. “I’m majoring in sports management, and I would like to be an agent or a cardiologist. I want to coach, too. I always want baseball to be a part of my life.”
Attending a large Southeastern Conference university doesn’t intimidate Teasley.
“I always have a lot of people around me,” he said. “Oak Ridge is a big school, and most of our classes have at least 35 people in them. My workout class has 75.”
He also wanted to stay close to home.
“I’m an East Tennessee kid and most of my family is in Knoxville or the surrounding areas,” Teasley said. “It’s important for them to be able to come see me play. I have family in New York, and my aunt lives in Chattanooga, so she’s not that far away.”
Since his commitment, the Volunteers have undergone a coaching change. Tony Vitello left for Major League Baseball and is now in San Francisco. Tennessee promoted former associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Josh Elander to the top job.
“He was my guy,” Teasley said of Elander. “I was really pushing for him to get the job, and he got it. He’s the one who recruited me.”
Teasley is among the most decorated players in Oak Ridge baseball history, but head coach Travis Free said the senior’s character means more than his athletic accolades.
“He’s the first player in my 21 years of coaching to go to an SEC school,” Free said. “He’s the first Mr. Baseball for Oak Ridge, but that’s not why I’m proud of him.
“We’re not here because he’s a great baseball player or because of where he’s going. We’re here because of who he is. If a kid needs something to eat, he gets it for them. If a kid needs batting gloves, he’ll make sure they have them.”
