Much has changed about the Georgia baseball team. With 22 Division I transfers, the Dawgs, once again under Wes Johnson, have a nearly unrecognizable roster to the one they had last year. But one face that has been a constant throughout Johnson’s three years as head coach is Tre Phelps.
“I never… not once thought about the transfer portal,” said Phelps. “So being able to have that second chance and come back as a junior was definitely something I was never against.”
Phelps admitted he was emotional and disappointed by how the Dawgs finished out their postseason last year. After declining MLB draft interest to return to Georgia, Phelps plans on settling the score this year, now with a whole new roster in tow.
Things have changed for the outfield/utility man. Phelps has now taken up the hot corner on the infield, but it’s a position he played for years prior to college. Johnson has always felt comfortable with Phelps at third, and now Phelps adds a level of maturity to an already loaded infield.
Phelps came under fire late last year for his energetic attitude and style of play. Some criticized the chains he wore while he played, and others were mad at how he plays with much of his shirt unbuttoned. Phelps concedes that Johnson once criticized his shirt buttons when they were buttoned.
“He was very confused that I had my jersey on correctly,” Phelps said. “‘Phelps, you want to unbutton? You can unbutton your shirt like it’s fine, it’s alright.’”
Johnson preaches belief and confidence to his players. As someone who has coached at the major league levels, Johnson has plenty of experience with athletes doing things their own way, and he encourages it in his dugout.
“Being themselves is why they succeed,” Phelps explains.
The junior third baseman has always felt comfortable being himself on and off the field. The energy he brings to the clubhouse with his flashy play has ignited the Dawgs in the two years previous, and Phelps has no intention of changing.
The Bulldogs enter the 2026 campaign ranked 15th nationally, according to D1baseball.com, in a conference that is once again loaded with talent. Much of the Dawgs’ postseason hopes ride on finding consistent leaders with such a high roster turnover. Phelps is now leading the Dawgs in his third year, but he’s still playing as loose as his shirt.
