Nate Snead played a pivotal role in Tennessee’s run to its first national championship last season, delivering in the biggest moments on college baseball’s greatest stage. The hard-throwing right-hander took the mound in the final two games of the championship series against Texas A&M, securing a crucial save in Game 2 to help push the Volunteers to force a decisive Game 3.
A native of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Snead thrived as a multi-inning weapon out of Tennessee’s bullpen, finishing his sophomore season with a 3.11 ERA in 75 1/3 innings. His fastball and curveball combination routinely leave hitters overmatched.
Snead’s path to success at the college level hasn’t been conventional. Lightly recruited out of high school, he began his college career at Wichita State before transferring to Tennessee, where he blossomed into one of the country’s most dominant arms. Now, he’s positioned as a likely early-round pick in July’s MLB draft, with scouts intrigued by his combination of raw stuff and untapped potential.
“It’s been a dream of mine for forever,” Snead said. “College baseball is not the end for me, and I don’t want it to be. I will do everything in my power to take that next step. I’m going to do everything in my power to be the highest draft pick I can be.”
Snead is a 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-handed who throws a fastball, curveball, cutter and changeup from a low three-quarters arm slot and clean and athletic delivery. His fastball sits in the high 90s and touches 101 mph.
During the offseason, Snead heavily emphasized refining his off-speed arsenal, fine-tuning the shape of his cutter and the consistency of his changeup. He worked on commanding the changeup to both sides of the plate while ensuring he could land it for strikes with regularity. Beyond that, he focused on overall pitch consistency and sharpening his command and control to be as precise as possible heading into the season.
Aiming for a spot in the rotation, Snead frequently sought advice from his friend and former Tennessee right-hander Drew Beam, a third-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in the 2024 MLB draft. Beam’s advice and feedback gave Snead insights into the transition to a starter and the adjustments needed to thrive in that role.
“It’s pretty awesome to get his perspective,” Snead said. “That guy is well-known across the world. His insight and being his friend has honestly been a big part of my life. He’s really smart and humble.”
In his first season at Tennessee, Snead emerged as a reliable weapon on the mound, posting a 3.11 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 26 walks over 75 1/3 innings. He primarily worked out of the bullpen, making 28 of his 29 appearances in relief, but his impact was undeniable.
Snead thrives in high-leverage situations, embracing the adrenaline of late-game moments. But his long-term vision is set on a starting role. This year, he opened the season as Tennessee’s No. 3 starter, allowing one run on two walks while striking out three in three innings.
No matter how his role evolves, Snead’s focus remains the same — helping Tennessee return to Omaha for a third straight season and a fourth time in five years.
“Winning last year was awesome,” Snead said. “Hearing people say we are going to go back-to-back – that is always the goal. You never want to lose. We are going to try. But it’s not a lot of pressure. The guys know it’s part of us now after what happened last year. The process stays the same – we are going to go out there and compete and see what happens.”
Read Additional Stories on Nate Snead
- Nate Snead emerges as a standout pitcher at Tennessee – March 28, 2024
- Nate Snead serving as late-inning asset for Vols at CWS – June 19, 2024
Dan Zielinski III has covered the MLB draft for 10 years. He has interviewed 580 of the top draft prospects in that period, including four No. 1 overall picks. Multiple publications, including Baseball America, USA Today, MLB.com, The Arizona Republic and The Dallas Morning News, have quoted his work, while he has appeared on radio stations as a “MLB draft expert.” Follow him on Twitter @DanZielinski3.
