Vanderbilt’s rise to the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament was largely based on its pitching and fielding defense.
The latter of those reasons just got recognized.
2025 Gold Glove Recipient: RJ Austin pic.twitter.com/RMtONFQDRA
— Vanderbilt Baseball (@VandyBoys) June 18, 2025
Vanderbilt centerfielder RJ Austin was named to the 2025 American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings Sporting Goods Gold Glove Team. He’s the fifth Vanderbilt player to win a gold glove, joining Enrique Bradfield Jr. (2023 and 2021), Jeren Kendall (2017), Vince Conde (2014) and Sonny Gray (2011.
Austin, according to D1Baseball.com Synergy Leaderboards, saved nearly 10 defensive runs and tallied six outfield assists and 140 putouts. What doesn’t show up on Austin’s stat line are the numerous highlight reel catches he made this season, including the final out of the SEC Baseball Tournament.
With 4 hits on the night including a 3-run HR, RJ Austin (@RjAustin14) is Phoebe’s Phenomenal Player of the Game pic.twitter.com/OpnBKv7cpz
— The Dore Report (@TheDoreReport) May 3, 2025
The Georgia native junior Commodore is draft eligible in the upcoming MLB Draft and is an attendee at the MLB Draft combine this week in Phoenix, Ariz. along with a few other Vanderbilt teammates.
Austin wasn’t included in ESPN’s Kily McDaniel’s Mock Draft 2.0 (first round only), but he’s expected to be drafted early.
Women’s Track and Field: Vanderbilt at USATF U20 Outdoor Championships, Eugene, Ore.
No games scheduled.
The MVC Defensive Player of the Year will now call #StarkVegas home!
— Mississippi State Softball (@HailStateSB) June 18, 2025
https://t.co/sND6iHjLRN@annacarder2022 | #HailState pic.twitter.com/r4sxpXQw0R
Safe travels Pico Kohn and many prayers as you travel to Arizona ❤️⚾️@HailStateBB pic.twitter.com/vSozyywm23
— Kim Kohn (@Kim52191022) June 18, 2025
We want to amend our statement from yesterday:
— Talons | AUSL (@AUSL_Talons) June 15, 2025
All @SierraSacco_ knows is not just how to get on base, but also how to RAKE. pic.twitter.com/l4vjWi7y4D
72 days
“[Red Sanders] picked his players for resoluteness of purpose rather than ingrained skill.”James Murray, Sports Illustrated
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