Every Vanderbilt player on a 2024 MLB Opening Day roster from Dansby Swanson to Sonny Gray
Vanderbilt baseball has 11 former players on opening day MLB rosters or injured lists, tied for the most among SEC programs, according to a release from the conference.
The Commodores have eight players on active rosters and three players on injured lists. The players' times at Vanderbilt span between 2009-19. Mississippi State also has 11 former players on MLB rosters.
The most recent Vanderbilt player to make his MLB debut was JJ Bleday, the 2019 SEC Player of the Year who debuted with the Marlins on July 23, 2022. He was later traded to the Oakland A's before the 2023 season.
A total of 12 former Commodores appeared in the majors in 2023.
Vanderbilt has also seen an influx of former players in MLB coaching jobs. Among the most notable are Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty, Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham, Orioles third base coach Tony Mansolino and Padres first base coach David Macias.
Vanderbilt baseball alumni on MLB opening day rosters
Players marked with an asterisk are on the injured list.
Tyler Beede, RHP, 2012-14: Cleveland Guardians
JJ Bleday, OF, 2017-19: Oakland A's
Walker Buehler, RHP, 2013-15: Los Angeles Dodgers*
Jason Delay, C, 2014-17: Pittsburgh Pirates
Sonny Gray, RHP, 2009-11: St. Louis Cardinals*
Tony Kemp, 2011-13: Baltimore Orioles
Bryan Reynolds, 2014-16: Pittsburgh Pirates
Collin Snider, 2015-17: Seattle Mariners
Dansby Swanson, 2013-15: Chicago Cubs
Kyle Wright, 2015-17: Kansas City Royals*
Mike Yastrzemski, 2010-13: San Francisco Giants
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Who could be the next Vanderbilt baseball alum to make the major leagues?
It's been nearly two years since any former Commodore debuted in the major leagues, and no player who has played at Vanderbilt since 2019 has been called up − yet. That could change in 2024.
Jack Leiter, the second overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft who was an All-American at Vanderbilt, will start the season at Triple-A. He made six appearances during spring training with the Texas Rangers and had a 4.26 ERA. He has the potential to get called up this season.
Another player who could debut soon is Austin Martin, who played at Vanderbilt from 2018-20 and was an All-American in 2019. Martin has dealt with injuries in the minors, but the Minnesota Twins added him to their 40-man roster in the offseason, priming him for a call-up. His ability to play multiple positions and steal bases could give him a role on an MLB bench.
Outfielder Spencer Jones impressed in spring training with the New York Yankees. In 13 games, he hit .444 with two doubles, a home run and more walks than strikeouts. With the Yankees' crowded outfield situation, though, he may not get a call-up. The same could be said of Enrique Bradfield Jr., who appeared in six spring training games with the Baltimore Orioles. He does not seem likely to make the majors in 2024, but it's possible if the Orioles want a pinch-running specialist for the playoffs.
One other option for a call-up this season is Javier Vaz. The outfielder appeared in eight games with the Kansas City Royals during spring training and hit .429 after he hit .279 with 30 stolen bases across High-A and Double-A in 2023. Vaz's skillset is perfectly suited for a utility role in the major leagues.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt baseball alumni on 2024 Opening Day MLB rosters
