Other than College Baseball’s top eight teams in Omaha, most of America has turned their full attention to the ever turbulent summer. This means summer leagues, coaching movement and draft watching. Things are no different at Vanderbilt, which for the third straight year failed to escape the Regionals. But that doesn’t mean the summer has not been active already.

On the Cape

Vanderbilt features six roster members on teams in the prestigious Cape Cod League. Friend of the College Baseball Blog Jarred Amato (publisher of SportsVU, a Vanderbilt Sports Blog) traveled to Wareham to spend some time with Vanderbilt sophomore leftfielder Steven Liddle as he started his season with the Gatemen. The article, found here, is a great glimpse into the magic of the league and what it means to the players and the community proper. I have a feeling our publisher, Brian Foley, will enjoy it as a top-notch fan of the league. Read the rest of this entry »

In the past 6 season, Vanderbilt University has become one of the thorns in the sides of those trying to recruit high school players committed to Coach Tim Corbin and recruiting coordinator Eric Bakich.  A recent NYTimes profile of Pedro Alvarez disclosed at least one of the secret strategies used by Coaches Corbin and Bakich (a tax planner and a thick three ring binder).  Commodore recruits are told to weigh the value of a Vanderbilt diploma against any potential signing bonus, which a tax planner brings down to earth with an analysis of taxes against the bonus, living expenses during the life of potential contracts and certain luxury purchases.  Read the rest of this entry »

Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin and recruiting coordinator Eric Bakich won round 1 of their battle with the MLB draft this spring when highly sought after Smyrna, TN RHP Sonny Gray officially announced that he has decided to forego the MLB Draft. Read the rest of this entry »

Mike Rapp of VandySports.com broke the media silence out of Vanderbilt regarding their highly regarded recruiting class. Vanderbilt has received 11 of the 15 anticipated Letters of Intent, none more impressive that Smyrna TN righty Sonny Gray.

In a class highlighted by pitching, Gray leads the way. The flame throwing All-State QB and TN Prep Athlete of the Year is rated by Baseball America as the 6th best HS Prospect in America at all positions. Joining Gray in the fold are a series of standouts including Aflac All-American righty Jack Armstrong, standout third sacker Jason Esposito of CT and NJ outfielder Matt Marquis.

Vanderbilt will likely issue a press release when their four final signatures come in.

The College Baseball Blog came across a video of Sonny Gray who recently committed to Vanderbilt. He will enter Vanderbilt in the fall of 2008 as he is only a junior.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r66R0eDFOXA]