Prospects In Person: 2023/2024 Vanderbilt Baseball Fall Roster

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Mike Ashmore

October 24, 2023

Vanderbilt’s roster remains loaded.

Seemingly always has been, and unless some things change drastically within the landscape of college baseball or the SEC, always will be. That does not change even when it’s a fall scrimmage.

The Commodores made their first ever appearance at Bainton Field this past weekend for a three-game series of six-inning scrimmages — the Scarlet Knights and Commodores have played just twice in regular season competition, with Vanderbilt winning 3-2 in 12 innings in 2003 and the teams playing to a 7-7 tie in 1975, as both contests took place in Nashville — and while Rutgers managed a shocking sweep, there was still plenty of talent on display.

That includes New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series alums like freshman pitcher Alex Kranzler and fifth-year senior Troy LaNeve, as well as first-year arm Deegan Cordova, who was unable to pitch due to injury, but was on the trip.

In all, there were 46 names (!!!) listed on Vandy’s fall roster and many of them saw action on Saturday, although highly regarded 2024 MLB Draft prospect Carter Holton did not. Others on Joe Doyle’s Top 300 prospects list for that upcoming Draft did, however, as did others a little more off the radar or are eligible in future years, so here’s a quick look at some names who stood out regardless of where they might currently ranked.

Vanderbilt OF RJ Austin, 2025 MLB Draft eligible

Of the position players out there, including potential first-rounder Davis Diaz, it was Austin who made the biggest impression. Currently at No. 40 in Doyle’s 2025 MLB Draft college prospects list, Austin shined all day long both with the bat and his legs, showing off the latter multiple times in recording three hits, including two doubles and an infield single. A plus runner with an advanced bat, he’ll be one of the more intriguing underclassmen to watch in the country when the games start to matter.

Vanderbilt RHP Alex Kranzler, 2026 MLB Draft eligible

In what amounted to his first appearance in a Vandy uni, the Jersey-born Kranzler, an FSS alum, handled himself well in two innings of work. He dazzled with offspeed at times, but sat between 91-93 MPH with a hard fastball that showed some life and earned him his first collegiate strikeout. On the 2026 MLB Draft college prospects list, the big righty is likely slated for a very competitive Vanderbilt bullpen this season.

Vanderbilt RHP Greysen Carter, 2024 MLB Draft eligible

While another potential first-rounder, Bryce Cunningham, did take the mound on Saturday, Carter was the arm that had everyone talking. Currently ranked No. 140 on the FSS Plus 2024 MLB Draft board, the big righty sat between 96-99 in two innings of work, and touched both 100 and 101 on some guns on a cold, fall day. With a heavy fastball and power breaker, he’d likely be a very intriguing option, perhaps as early as Day 2, for some big league teams looking for a bullpen arm that wouldn’t need much time to develop in the minors.

Vanderbilt OF Troy LaNeve, 2024 MLB Draft eligible

An FSS original dating back to appearances at International Week in 2017 and 2018, LaNeve is back for his fifth year after both the COVID pandemic and injuries have severely hampered a big run at Vandy. A polished hitter, LaNeve delivered with several hits on the day, and would provide exceptional value for a team on the third day of the Draft in both his on and off-field presence.

Vanderbilt INF Jonathan Vastine, 2024 MLB Draft eligible

Vastine is listed at No. 111 on the FSS Plus 2024 MLB Draft board, and for good reason. Another advanced bat, Vastine is a strong athlete who was considered as early as the second round during his prep days before ultimately electing to honor his collegiate commitment. He looked solid up the middle in the infield, and delivered consistent good at-bats.

Vanderbilt LHP Ethan McElvain, 2026 MLB Draft eligible

Another Commodores player who makes an appearance on the 2026 MLB Draft watchlist, McElvain was another high-ceiling arm who shined in comparison to others like Devin Futrell and even Andrew Dutkanych, both of whom threw on Saturday. McElvain got it up to 97 in the cold conditions, and did allow a home run, but also showed premium stuff through the duration of his outing, showing why he was considered to be a Top 100 prospect in the most recent Draft before ultimately electing to go to Vandy.

Vanderbilt UTIL Matthew Polk, 2024 MLB Draft eligible

A bit of a more fringy Draft prospect — he’s at No. 189 in the FSS Plus Top 200 College Draft prospects list — Polk showed out well on Saturday, hitting the lone homer of the day for the Commodores. A versatile player with plus speed, Polk earned regular playing time in his sophomore season last year, and could provide an intriguing look on the third day of the Draft if he continues to take a step forward in 2024.

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