EBJ might swipe the program record for career stolen bases (96) over the weekend and is 12 triples away from tying the legendary Tony Kemps Vanderbilt record for three-baggers. IF, Freshman It seems the prolific junior is out of words to describe him, but Ill try to start with this: EBJ is one of the most talented players to. Diaz is a true five-tool with a smooth glove and a bat that has a knack for finding the holes in the defense. 10 Vanderbilt dominates against UAB with 13-1 win, Vanderbilt falls to Central Arkansas 5-4 in home opener, Three up, three down: VandyBoys go 2-1 at College Baseball Showdown, PODCAST: Magic in the air for mens, womens basketball, plus the long-awaited return of baseball, VU Sports Wired, Feb. 17: Mens Basketball Continues Surge, VandyBoys 2023 Season Preview, Vanderbilt Hall of Fame Class of 2022: Honoring a Tradition of Excellence and Groundbreakers, VandyBoys series preview: A clash with the Big 12 in Arlington, PODCAST: South Carolina preview, WBB resurgence and VandyBoys roster outlook mega-episode, Operation Omaha: Previewing Vanderbilt Baseballs 2023 schedule, The official student newspaper of Vanderbilt University, Andy Carr, Former Assistant Sports Editor, 2023 | The Hustler is not operated by Vanderbilt University. Unlike many of the other hitters in the starting lineup, Noland is a Vanderbilt veteran with the game experience to back it up. The Commodores begin a six-game homestand Feb. 21 against Central Arkansas. This composure at the plate, as well as a year of experience under his belt, has Vastine poised to do big things this season. DATE DAY MATCHUP RESULT/TIME GAME INFO; Feb 19: Fri: Wright State: Postponed: SEC NETWORK + Feb 20: Sat: Wright State: Postponed: SEC NETWORK + Feb 21: Sun: Wright State: Postponed: SEC NETWORK + Feb 22: Mon: Wright State: W 14-1: SEC NETWORK + Feb 22: Mon: Wright State: W 1-0 . Aiden Rutman ('25) is a student in Peabody College majoring in HOD and minoring in Communication Studies. That comfortability, I believe, will cause an increase in his fielding percentagewhich already sits at an incredible .930as well as the other aspects of his game. He will provide leadership and experience to a hopeful Commodore squad that looks to make a splash come June. Kolwyck, who took home the VandyBoys most valuable teammate award at. Most importantly, Polk does not play to his size, and, drives the ball with impressive gap power. LHP. LINCOLN, Neb. Should Vanderbilt baseball, Tim Corbin take more transfers? Projecting the third starter is no doubt the challenge, but we will project former reliever Nick Maldonado to step into that role. Javier Vaz 2. Hes also a solid baserunner, stealing four bags and scoring 40 runs for the VandyBoys. He can spray the ball all over the field, hit with powerhe was second on the team last season with 15 home runsand finds his way onto the bases nearly half the time (.427 OBP last season). . As such, the Vanderbilt Hustler has you covered with our projected lineup ahead of the opening weekend tournament: The VandyBoys welcome another Maldonado to the squad this year, brother of closer Nick. If all goes according to plan, Bradfield Jr. will be in the mix for the Golden Spikes Award and the No. The scouting site describes him as having a strong and accurate throwing arm with solid athleticism in the field and the ability to hit to all fields at the plate. Name Pos. As with all freshman thrust into a crucial role with a top-tier program, Maldonado will have his freshman moments but should inspire confidence in Commodore fans as the season progresses. A three-sport athlete in high school, Connors love of athletics and media motivated him to become a staff writer for the Hustlers Sports section. Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Chris McElvain, the Friday starter for much of 2022, is likely to begin his professional career, and Christian Little, used as a spot-starter, transferred to LSU. 2013-2. If Corbin feels keeping Maldonado in the bullpen is important, expect senior Thomas Schultz or freshman Carter Holton to step into a weekend starter role. While the role of closer may be handed back to Nick Maldonado this spring, Schultz should still be one of the first names Tim Corbin turns to when the going gets tough. The most comprehensive coverage of the Vanderbilt Baseball on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, schedule and rosters. 22. The Commodores do-it-all leadoff man was a consensus All-American in each of his first two collegiate campaigns and has stolen 93 bases and maintained a .326 batting average across his first 129 games as a VandyBoy. don the Black and Gold and has a chance to put together one of the most decorated individual seasons in VandyBoys history in 2023. The South Carolina baseball team continues to roll. 2022 Vanderbilt Baseball Roster 2022 Vanderbilt Baseball Roster. The Georgia duo made themselves known early in the 2021. , with Mallory Jr. driving in Smith for the first run of Game 1. Unlike many of the other hitters in the starting lineup, Noland is a Vanderbilt veteran with the game experience to back it up. IF, Junior Junior OF Jason Delay 5. Noland started all but one game last season, and proved to be a consistent force for the Commodore offense. 51 can take them and if the first two seasons of his career are any indication, the skys the limit for Bradfield and the VandyBoys in 2023. RJ Schreck has some big shoes to fill out in the right field, but if his track record is any indication of what is to come, he should be up to the challenge. Rankings / Strength of Schedule (SOS) RPI. from last years roster, look for McElvain to be the first player out of the bullpen for the Commodores this year. IF, Freshman Little Rock Central (Ark.) McElvain, a junior, made 22 appearances on the mound last season, the third most on the team, including one start. Bobby interned at CNN Sports this past summer where he assisted in producing studio shows, writing anchor scripts and creating fullscreen graphics. Connor Campbell ('25) is a Human and Organizational Development and Film major from Staten Island, New York. Senior OF CJ Rodriguez 5. He played in 96 games over his three years with the Commodores. But after struggling offensively at times in 2022, the Commodores are likely to lose their two best hitters. Here's the roster outlook for the 2023 season: ROCKER UPDATE:Former Vanderbilt baseball ace Kumar Rocker had shoulder surgery in fall | Report, SUMMER BALL:Where every Vanderbilt baseball player is playing summer ball. The biggest bullpen wild cards in 2023 will be Sam Hliboki and Michael Doolin. HT WT Class City ST; 99: Jack Anderson: RHP: 6'5" . February 22: Wright State W, 14-1; February 22: Wright State W, 1-0; February 24: Western Kentucky W, 12-1; . With a roster full of gifted players, Vanderbilt has not only produced a tremendous amount of success on the field, but . While it seems unlikely that Poteet will play as soon as this weekend, hell likely get more time down the line, and the future seems bright for the young catcher. Bullpen stalwarts Nick Maldonado and Thomas Schultz will have draft offers, and so could draft-eligible sophomore Grayson Moore. Real-time Vanderbilt Commodores Baseball Schedule on SECSports.com. Holton, however, is one of Vanderbilts most prized freshmen and adds a dimension that the VandyBoys have not had in a number of years: a potentially dominant southpaw. He will provide leadership and experience to a hopeful Commodore squad that looks to make a splash come June. this offseason. The disappointing season-opening weekend is now well in the rearview mirror. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of Vanderbilt University and its official representatives. After posting a team-high .345 batting average last year, Keegan will be the key to the Commodores offensive success. He could also figure to get some time in a starting role should Corbin want to experiment with his rotation early in the year. Powered by WMT Digital. The . 219. He totaled 45.2 innings last season and notched 58 strikeouts, while allowing 27 walks. , The Hustler Sports Staff provides a detailed breakdown of Vanderbilts projected lineup and key reserves: In one of the most interesting preseason position battles, it seems that senior Tate Kolwyck will take over for Dominic Keegan at first base this season. The Florida native accumulated a 9-3 record as a freshman and finished his season by tossing six shutout innings in Vanderbilts lone regional final win over Oregon State. Whether its at first, second or even designated hitter, he will be a central figure in this years lineup. Reilly has been so close to solidifying the Sunday starter spot since he started with the program, but has never been given the conclusive nod. LaNeve came on strong in 2021 after getting his opportunity in May. 2023 www.tennessean.com. LaNeve, a strong hitter and reliable defender, started games both as an outfielder and a designated hitter last season. McElvain, a junior, made 22 appearances on the mound last season, the third most on the team, including one start. Vanderbilt's Enrique Bradfield Jr. gets on base against Army on Feb. 26, 2021. He can be reached at [emailprotected], Peabody EDI Office responds to MSU shooting with email written using ChatGPT, SAE bids students affiliated with former DKE chapter after denouncing underground organizations, GUEST EDITORIAL: Vanderbilt Chose Not to Expel My Rapist, Bubble Watch? McKenzie who is the younger brother of Cleveland Guardian pitcher Triston McKenzie was selected in the 39th round of the 2019 MLB Draft (St. Louis Cardinals) before enrolling at Vanderbilt. Whether he was batting eighth or batting second, he found a way to impact the team on the offensive end, a quality that all great players want to have. While Maldonado will likely have offers to be drafted, his brother, Chris Maldonado, recently committed to Vanderbilt and he could choose to return to play with his brother. Noland tallied 43 RBIs and seven home runs last season. IF, Sophomore Fans may recall his clutch 2-run bomb in the bottom of the ninth against. The power-hitting righty appeared in 42 games last season but saw his power numbers take a hit after battling. 6-0/200. EBJ might swipe the program record for career stolen bases (96) over the weekend and is 12 triples away from tying the legendary Tony Kemps Vanderbilt record for three-baggers. A bottleneck has developed in the veteran quarterback market, as two needy teams the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders appear to be in low gear as they await word on Rodgers. The Commodores will also host league foes Georgia (March 31-April 2), South Carolina (April 14-16), Kentucky (April 28-30) and Arkansas (May 19-21). . Junior OF CJ Rodriguez 5. He could also figure to get some time in a starting role should Corbin want to experiment with his rotation early in the year. 2022 Roster Position Players. His greatest asset, however, is his stellar defense- hallmarked by a career .972 fielding percentage.Yet, the greatest impact Noland has on the VandyBoys is far greater than his on the field talents. Vanderbilt baseball ended its season with a loss to Oregon State in the final game of the Corvallis Regional.Afterward, players had three weeks to determine whether they want to stick around. Seven of those 11 inactive players have since entered the portal. The juniors mark of 14.0 AB/HR was the best on the team, and his sizzling .909 OPS was third behind Keegan and Isaiah Thomas (min. If all goes according to plan, Bradfield Jr. will be in the mix for the Golden Spikes Award and the No. That comfortability, I believe, will cause an increase in his fielding percentagewhich already sits at an incredible .930as well as the other aspects of his game. Having said that, given the injuries we saw the VandyBoys endure last year, hell need to keep his glove warm and his bat at the ready just in case his name is called. The senior infielder committed just two errors in 43 games played last season. He can be reached at bowman.b.talbot@vanderbilt.edu. Aces of old, have moved on. Some of the draft-eligible players will likely come for another year as well. with the Los Angeles Angels as an undrafted free agent in July. He was excellent last year in 15 starts, finishing 8-4 with a 3.14 earned-run average (ERA), an impressive strikeout rate of 10.9 per nine innings and kept the walks down to just 3.2 per nine. Check out the detailed 2003-04 Vanderbilt Roster and Stats for College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com Here's the roster outlook for the 2023 season: ROCKER UPDATE: Former Vanderbilt baseball ace Kumar Rocker had shoulder surgery in fall | Report SUMMER BALL: Where every Vanderbilt baseball player is playing summer ball Starting pitching. Nonetheless, his raw power and potential should make him an opening day starter. TRANSFER STRATEGY:Should Vanderbilt baseball, Tim Corbin take more transfers? RHP, Junior Game time: 3 p.m. CT on Friday, Feb. 17 Location: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas Online live stream: FloSports McKenzie could get some looks in right field with center firmly occupied, but expect the bulk of the non-Jones reps to go to Mallory Jr. and Smith. RHP. Unless LaNeve comes out of the gate hot, expect to see a platoon between LaNeve and Bulger at designated hitter. With the departure of steady relievers. L/L. LHP, Sophomore Although Young had a batting average of .252 last season, he capitalized in clutch moments, such as scoring two of Vanderbilts four runs in the NCAA Super Regional game. Although Young had a batting average of .252 last season, he capitalized in clutch moments, such as scoring two of Vanderbilts four runs in the NCAA Super Regional game against East Carolina. 7 Vanderbilt battles back against Austin Peay to pick up sixth win of the season, 11-7, Three up, three down: VandyBoys beat the Bruins, Weekend Update: Vanderbilt wins two out of three against UCLA, No. The deadline to enter the transfer portal was July 1 in order to be eligible immediately for the 2023 season. When not working for The Hustler, she loves reading, listening to music, watching movies and playing with her dog. That performance, along with his ability to work quickly and efficiently, earned him some consideration in MLB Mock Drafts but fortunately for Vanderbilt, that did not come to fruition. The Official Athletic Site of the Vanderbilt Commodores. UTL, Sophomore For the first time since the 2020 season, Vanderbilt will open the campaign on the road when the Commodores begin their spring slate with their first appearance in the College Baseball Showdown at Globe Life Fieldhome of the Texas Rangers. LaNeve came on strong in 2021 after getting his opportunity in May. The talented freshman was a top 20 prospect in Florida, tallying 15 RBIs while hitting .418 as a senior. Hes already shown that he can flourish in any role hes put in and with the increased role of the shortstop position, Im confident Diaz will see great success. He can be reached at bryce.t.smith@vanderbilt.edu. Polk, a sophomore, posted roughly similar figures across his 36 ABs last season, with an OBP of .372 and OPS of .733. Aces of old Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker have moved on. Put simply, the Commodores will go as far as No. The Vanderbilt Hustler Sports staff provides their position-by-position expectations ahead of the VandyBoys season opener on Feb. 18. 0:36. But Vaz himself told reporters last Friday that he doesnt even know where he will end up playing. The Georgia duo made themselves known early in the 2021 Black and Gold series, with Mallory Jr. driving in Smith for the first run of Game 1. The Bruins took the first-ever meeting in the series, on Feb. 26, 2010 at Jackie Robinson Stadium as Gerrit Cole out-dueled Sonny Gray in a 9-2 UCLA win. His maturity, leadership, and experience will be invaluable to the Commodores, especially in the postseason. Keegan returns to Vanderbilt for a fourth year on West End after being taken by the New York Yankees with the 573rd pick in the MLB. Freshman UTL Javier Vaz 2. However, like many of the VandyBoys, LaNeve slumped in the College World Series, bringing into question whether his run down the stretch was a fluke. Holton, however, is one of Vanderbilts most prized freshmen and adds a dimension that the VandyBoys have not had in a number of years: a potentially dominant southpaw. When hes on, hes a monster, striking out opponents and keeping his pitch count low. When not writing for The Hustler, he cheers on the Philadelphia Eagles, the 76ers and Leeds United. 4 days ago. Diaz may not see much action this season, but he will learn an exceptional amount as a backup player for a soon-to-be MLB player and could move around the infield to other positions this season as well. OF, Sophomore Vanderbilt will be joined by Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma State, TCU and Texas. With the first pitch of the college baseball season less than a day away, heres what the Commodores lineup and rotation might look like against TCU and beyond. I was fortunate enough to be in the press box for the, against Missouri, including his first collegiate home run and a back pick at third that got the attention of. The MLB Draft, which begins in two weeks, will trim the roster further. Last season, he often batted first, as his ability to steal bases proved to be a huge difference maker for the Commodores.