Slugger Alert: Tennessee Baseball Adds North Carolina’s Home Run King Alberto Osuna
Tennessee baseball has made a significant late addition to its roster, with former North Carolina first baseman Alberto Osuna transferring to the program.
Osuna’s arrival in Knoxville is set for Saturday, just days before the Vols’ season opener, adding a powerful bat to their lineup as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.
Osuna, a proven slugger, joins Tennessee after an impressive three-season stint at North Carolina, where he belted 45 home runs and etched his name in the program’s record books, ranking fifth all-time in career homers.
He played a pivotal role on last year’s Tar Heels team, which made it to the Men’s College World Series, though they were ultimately defeated by Tennessee in a 6-1 matchup.
Originally slated to play for the University of Tampa at the NCAA Division II level this spring after his eligibility expired with North Carolina, Osuna is set to return to NCAA eligibility through his time at Walters State, a junior college in nearby Tennessee. His eligibility revival will give Tennessee an added weapon for their already formidable roster.
The Mauldin, South Carolina native was a fixture in the North Carolina lineup last season, starting all 62 games as a senior. He primarily served as the designated hitter, starting 58 games in that role, with four appearances at first base.
Throughout the season, Osuna was a consistent offensive presence, batting .281 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs. His 64 hits, 43 runs, 17 doubles, and 33 walks all marked career highs, showcasing his ability to produce across multiple facets of the game.
In 2023, Osuna dealt with an injury early in the season but still managed to make 50 starts at designated hitter and two at first base.
He finished with a .223 batting average and ranked fourth on the team with 11 home runs. Nearly half of his hits that season were for extra bases, underscoring his power potential with eight doubles in addition to his home run total.
Osuna’s breakout year came during his first season with North Carolina in 2022, when he made history as the first junior-college transfer in program history to hit 20 home runs in his debut season.
Starting 61 games as the designated hitter, he posted a .265 batting average and an impressive .911 OPS. His 20 home runs and 57 RBIs were among the team leaders, and he led the Tar Heels in both home runs and slugging percentage during ACC play, hitting 13 home runs and driving in 36 RBIs against conference opponents.
Before transferring to North Carolina, Osuna made a name for himself at Walters State, where he enjoyed a historic season in 2021. The 6-foot-1, 245-pound first baseman was named the NJCAA DI Player of the Year and earned First Team All-American honors.
He posted a staggering .459 batting average, crushed 25 home runs, and led the nation with 107 RBIs in just 68 games. Osuna also set Walters State records for hits in a season (106) and RBIs (107), while becoming the first player in school history to drive in over 100 runs in a single campaign.
His standout performance helped lead Walters State to its best-ever record at 61-7, and they earned a spot in the NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series.
Conclusion
Osuna’s move to Tennessee adds significant depth and power to the Vols’ already impressive roster, and his experience in both high-level college baseball and junior college will provide a valuable asset as the team looks to make another deep postseason run.
