Good News!!!Massive Boost As Top-tier Performer Announces Return To Vanderbilt Baseball For 2025 Season

Vanderbilt baseball shortstop Jonathan Vastine announced on Wednesday through social media that he will be returning for his senior season in 2025.

Vastine, a left-handed batter, has shown steady improvement during his three years with the Commodores. After hitting .196 in his freshman year, he raised his average to .287 as a sophomore and .299 in his junior year in 2024. He led the team with 18 doubles, tied for first with a .545 slugging percentage, finished second with 10 home runs, and tied for third with 12 stolen bases.

Defensively, he ranked second among SEC shortstops in Defensive Runs Saved for 2024, according to D1Baseball.

MLB Pipeline regarded Vastine as the 188th prospect in the draft, which typically corresponds to a sixth-round selection, but he went undrafted in the 20-round MLB draft.

Looking ahead to 2025, Vastine is expected to return as the starting shortstop for the Commodores. Other potential candidates for the position, such as RJ Austin and David Mendez, are more likely to transition to the outfield or even third base.

While seven Vanderbilt players were drafted, five of them were pitchers: Bryce Cunningham and Carter Holton in the second round, Greysen Carter in the fifth round, Andrew Dutkanych IV in the seventh, and Devin Futrell in the tenth. Davis Diaz and Alan Espinal were selected in the eighth and eleventh rounds, respectively.