Game Changer: Tim Corbin Supercharges Vanderbilt’s 2025 Baseball Roster This Offseason!

Vanderbilt baseball recognized the need for more offensive power this offseason. In 2024, the Commodores ranked 10th out of 14 SEC teams in scoring and second to last in home runs, experiencing a decline in home runs for three consecutive seasons.

To address this, Coach Tim Corbin made significant changes to the coaching staff, letting go of assistants Mike Baxter and Tyler Shewmaker and bringing in Jayson King and Ty Blankmeyer. King, the former head coach at Dayton, joins as the hitting coach, while Blankmeyer comes from Duke to take on the roles of infielders coach and recruiting coordinator.

“Jayson King has been a head coach for many years,” Corbin remarked Tuesday. “He’s like a new player working to understand the team’s dynamics and finding his role. He has already taken ownership of many responsibilities. Ty, although younger, brings substantial experience and is a keen evaluator. He has a background in Major League Baseball, played Division I baseball for four years, and has been involved in recruiting at two strong programs, Wake and Duke.”

Corbin sought power hitters in the transfer portal and signed Koby Kropf from USC Upstate and Mike Mancini from James Madison, who together hit 35 home runs last spring. Additionally, junior college transfer Riley Nelson is another player who could bring some offensive strength.

The Commodores successfully retained their recruiting class despite the draft, losing only right-handed pitcher Owen Hall to professional baseball. All of Vanderbilt’s top position-player commitments, including infielders Brodie Johnston, Rustan Rigdon, and Ryker Waite, outfielder Tommy Goodin, and catcher Aukai Kea, have arrived on campus.

“We have a lot of power throughout the team, and we’re excited to showcase it,” said Jonathan Vastine. “Having a solid team offense, with contributions from top to bottom—RBIs, stolen bases, speed, and pressure—will be crucial.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Vastine, a two-year starter at shortstop, aims to make it to Omaha for the first time. Although he attracted draft interest this summer, he chose to return for his senior year. “It was actually an easy choice after discussing it with Corbs and wanting to guide the incoming freshmen and transfers,” Vastine explained.

Joining Vastine as a multi-year starter will be RJ Austin, one of just three players remaining from Vanderbilt’s 2022 recruiting class. Austin intends to bring energy to the team in 2025, focusing mainly on second base and center field after playing nearly every position during his college career.

In addition to Vastine and Austin, the sizable sophomore class could see several players emerge in 2025. Corbin identified two standout candidates: Braden Holcomb, known for his power potential, who will play more at third base after spending time at first base and outfield as a freshman; and Colin Barczi, who was limited to designated hitter last season but is poised to be the starting catcher this year.

“(Barczi is) healthy, throwing well, and showing leadership behind the plate,” Corbin noted. “He’s also a low-maintenance guy in terms of coaching. Braden has been versatile, playing a lot of third base this summer, and I see growth in him there.”

Regarding injuries, Chris Maldonado returns healthy for the fall after missing most of his sophomore season due to shoulder surgery in March. He is now hitting and playing defense again. However, two pitchers, redshirt freshmen Ethan Robinson and Nate Teague, will sit out the fall following Tommy John surgeries earlier this year. With a 12-16 month recovery for such surgeries, it remains uncertain if they will pitch in 2025.