Vanderbilt baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more
The Vanderbilt Commodores were far from its best in the 2024 NCAA Baseball season. They were one of five teams in the Southeastern Conference to finish with a 13-17 record. However, the Commodores had an impressive run in the SEC Tournament, reaching the semi-finals.
The Commodores made the postseason for the 18th straight time, extending the longest active streak in NCAA Baseball thanks to an at-large bid. They were the second seed in the Clemson Regional. However, they suffered back-to-back losses to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and NCAA Tournament debutants High Point Panthers to cap off a disappointing 2024 season.
Tim Corbin enters his 22nd season as the Commodores' head coach, and the program has a major challenge to improve its roster significantly following departures through the MLB draft and the transfer portal.
Here, let's preview Vanderbilt ahead of the 2025 NCAA Baseball season.
3 key games for Vanderbilt Baseball in the 2025 season
1. Kentucky Wildcats
The Wildcats produced one of their strongest seasons in the Nick Mingione era this year. They shared the SEC regular season with the Tennessee Volunteers and made the College World Series for the first time in their history.
En route to the SEC regular season title, the Wildcats beat the Commodores 2-1 in a three-game home series. They are one of the Commodores' two permanent opponents in 2025 and will pose a major challenge for Tim Corbin's side.
2. LSU Tigers
Like the Commodores, the Tigers endured a difficult 2024 season as the reigning NCAA Tournament winners. The Commodores came out on top in a three-game away series, which is among the few highlights of their season.
However, the Tigers went on one of their strongest recruitment drives during the ongoing off-season, which makes them a favorite for top honors in the 2025 season.
3. Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers and the Commodores have an athletic rivalry across all sports. The Volunteers won a three-game home series against the Commodores before embarking on a run that saw them win every title possible in 2024.
The Volunteers are the other permanent opponent for the Commodores in 2025.
Key players for the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2025
1. Mike Mancini, INF
Mancini produced a breakout sophomore season for the James Madison Dukes this year. He scored 15 home runs and 49 RBI with an average of .329 while also stealing 29 bases.
Mancini's impressive performances helped the Dukes reach the postseason for the first time since 2011 and the 8th time in program history. He could play a key role for the Commodores in 2025, possibly leading their hitting line-up as well.
2. JD Thompson, LHP
Thompson emerged as one of the best arms in the Commodores' bullpen this year. He recorded 74 strikeouts with an ERA of 4.15 in 52.0 innings pitched, finishing the season 5-2 in 12 starts.
With Bryce Cunningham and Carter Holton earning MLB call-ups, Thompson is expected to lead the Commodores' bullpen in 2025.
3. RJ Austin, UTL
Austin was among the top hitters for the Commodores this year. The sophomore recorded five home runs and 54 RBI with a team-leading average of .335. With an eye to the 2025 MLB draft, Austin will be keen to impress in his junior year to help the Commodores produce a strong 2025 season.
Predicting Vanderbilt Commodores' 2025 season
The Commodores have made some solid additions in the off-season. While the addition of the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns to the SEC could make things difficult for them, they should be able to produce a regular season worthy of extending their streak of making the postseason with an at-large bid.
However, they are likely to struggle in the NCAA Tournament, given the tough competition they would face. They might make the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time since 2021 but are unlikely to make the College World Series in Omaha.