Kyle Serrano Out For Season

Tennessee junior righthander Kyle Serrano, rated the No. 42 prospect in our College Top 100 Prospects prior to the season, has an injured elbow ligament and will miss the remainder of the season, his father and coach Dave said Wednesday.

Dave Serrano told reporters his son’s ulnar collateral ligament isn’t believed to be torn, but has come off the bone and will likely require Tommy John surgery.  Kyle felt something after his first start of the season, when he went 3 2/3 innings and gave up three hits, five runs—one earned—walked four and struck out three in the 6-1 Vols’ only loss to date, 13-8 to Memphis on Feb. 20. He did not pitch last weekend as Tennessee traveled to the Grand Canyon Classic.

Serrano was drafted by the Rockies out of high school in the 29th round in 2013, but decided against going pro to play for his dad, a longtime pitching coach prior to becoming a head coach.

Kyle Serrano has had mixed results in his two-plus seasons at Tennessee, going 8-8, 4.45, but holding opponents to a .238 average and allowing just 101 hits in 117 innings. At his best, the righthander can push his fastball to 94 mph, most often sitting 90-92. Both his breaking balls and his changeup show potential, but need to become more consistent.