JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman baseball alum Grif Hughes is headed into a Major League Baseball organization. The left-handed pitcher had his contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays yesterday afternoon.
“So happy for Grif and his family,” Carson-Newman head baseball coach Tom Griffin said. “We are proud of him and thrilled to see him take this next step in his baseball journey. His growth during his time here at Carson-Newman and with Evansville is a testament to his perseverance, work ethic and character.
Seeing him sign with the Toronto Blue Jays is not only a milestone for his career, but also a moment of pride for our entire program. We can’t wait to follow his progress and know that he’ll continue to represent Carson-Newman with the same integrity and grit that made him such a special part of our team.”
He will report to the complex and eventually learn where his journey will start in the minor league system.
Hughes becomes C-N’s first player to join affiliated baseball since Ethan Goforth spent time in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization in 2019 and 2021. He is the first pitcher to join a Major League Organization since Will Gardner in a similar time frame. Gardner began his journey in the minor leagues in 2018, making it as high as Double A with the Pirates.
Hughes spent four seasons with Carson-Newman (2021-24) and his impact grew each season. Over four years, the left-hander posted a career earned-run average of 5.47, totaling 120 innings on the mound in 63 appearances. He concluded his career with a 15-6 record and recorded three saves.
After making just one appearance in his freshman season, the southpaw would go on to make 62 appearances over his next three seasons. In 2022, Hughes made 18 appearances, posting a 8.84 ERA in 18.1 innings of work with 24 strikeouts.
His junior year saw him take another step forward, tossing 43.1 innings over 24 appearances. He posted a 5-2 record with 52 strikeouts with a 5.61 ERA.
Hughes saved his best for last, posting career numbers across the board as a senior. The Knoxville, Tenn. native finished the year with a 3.86 ERA over 58.1 innings with 71 strikeouts, all career-highs. His nine wins on the mound are tied for eighth-most in a season in program history. Carson-Newman won 14 of the 20 games that Hughes pitched in.
After his time in Mossy Creek, Hughes signed with the Frontier League’s Evansville Otters where he has been an impactful bullpen arm.
Last year, in his professional debut season with the Otters, he pitched 44 innings across 36 games, striking out 61 batters and allowing just 17 walks. The lefty had a 3.07 ERA in 2024, allowing just 18 runs all season.
So far in 2025, he has 28 strikeouts to just three walks in 18.2 innings of work, In his 13 appearances, he has a 4-2 record with a 2.89 ERA.