Lewisburg’s Kavares Tears Drafted by San Diego Padres

KNOXVILLE, TN - February 21, 2023 - Outfielder/infielder Kavares Tears #21 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Alabama A&M Bulldogs and the Tennessee Volunteers at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Avery Bane/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee right fielder Kavares Tears joined left fielder Dylan Dreiling as members of the Volunteer outfield to be drafted in the 2024 MLB Draft.

The Lewisburg, Tennessee native was selected by the San Diego Padres with the 134th overall pick. He is the sixth member of the 2024 national championship squad to be drafted.

Tears enjoyed a career season in 2024, smashing 20 home runs, to go along with 62 RBI. Tears batted .324 a season ago, good for fourth best among qualified hitters for Tennessee.

He is the first Columbia Academy alumni drafted since Robert Norman in 1995. He is looking to become the first MLB alum in school history.