Former Tennessee right-handed pitcher Ryan Combs is heading to the Banana Ball League. The Loco Beach Coconuts selected him with the third pick in the sixth round on Wednesday. The Coconuts are one of six teams in the league, alongside the Savannah Bananas, the Party Animals, the Firefighters, the Texas Tailgaters, and the Indianapolis Clowns.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Banana Ball (@bananaball)

After starting his career at JUCO Polk State, Combs spent the 2025 season with the Tennessee Baseball program. He had 13 appearances on the mound with a 7.36 ERA. Combs had 11 innings on the mound, giving up 12 hits, nine runs, and six walks. He had 20 strikeouts and one save during his Tennessee tenure. Combs then transferred to Charlotte after the season.

During his lone season with the 49ers, Combs had 21 appearances with 40.2 innings on the mound. He had a 3-3 record, including one complete game, with 42 hits allowed, 24 runs allowed, and 17 walks allowed. Combs struck out 49 batters. He had a 5.09 ERA.

Combs’ older brother, Aaron Combs, was a key member of Tennessee’s National Championship roster in 2024. He played at Tennessee in 2023 and 2024 and is now with the Philadelphia Phillies’ Double-A affiliate. In what has turned into an iconic picture in Tennessee sports lore, Combs recorded the final strikeout in Tennessee’s championship-winning game.

The Savannah Bananas played two games in Knoxville over the summer, with one game at Covenant Health Park and one game in Neyland Stadium. Banana Ball will return to Covenant Health Park on Friday, June 4, with the Clowns vs. the Tailgaters.