The old saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Lawrence County’s Alex Bedford understands that lesson.
After a big summer of impressing scouts and coaches all across the South, Bedford has decided to take his talents to Knoxville to play baseball for the University of Tennessee in 2026.
“It’s almost unbelievable,” Bedford said. “You work for it. Dream about.”
Alex Bedford takes a cut during district action last spring. Photo by Scott Stewart / Lawrence County Advocate
The process started for Bedford after his junior campaign with the Wildcats where he hit close to .400 while leading the team in home runs, RBIs and slugging percentage. After touring the south during the travel ball season. He caught the attention of the right people which eventually led to an invite to a prospect camp at Tennessee.
“We just started up summer and it was going very slow,” he said. “I went to this camp. Some guy that’s very important let Tennessee know. He came to one of my games in Nashville and I did really well. From then on it just blew up.”
Bedford shined during his workout. Hitting several line drives and a pair of home runs. One that cleared the video board in right field. Getting the attention of head coach Tony Vitello.
“Seeing Coach Vitello on TV and he’s real energetic,” Bedford recalled. “He wants what’s best for his players. Hearing it from him on the phone, I knew I just had to.”
From the day he took over the program, third year head coach Clint Wright knew he had something special in Bedford. Now, the signing only confirms his belief.
“You can tell watching him hit it looks effortless,” Wright said. “I think our guys build off what Alex does. Alex is special and he works really hard.”
Wright also knows the effect this will have on his program full of young talent.
“That’s something that goes under the radar with Alex is how much he helps our young guys. He’s not a vocal guy,” the coach noted. “He’s not going to be a vocal leader but he leads by setting the bar.”
The Volunteers now add another left handed bat to their roster. Exactly what they want in Knoxville.
“They want left handed power hitters,” Bedford said. “They say it flies better out that way. It’s a little shorter in right field. It’s 320 in right with a short porch. They specifically told me that.”
Bedford watched his friend Blade Tidwell, who is now in the New York Mets organization, suit up for the Volunteers from 2021 to 2022. Now, it’s his turn to put on the Big Orange.
“Grew up a Tennessee fan my whole life,” the senior said. “When Blade Tidwell went to Tennessee, that’s when I started watching Tennessee baseball. Whenever he got drafted, that’s when I said I want to go to Tennessee.”
