Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt's RJ Austin Wins Rawlings Gold Glove: The Anchor

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Taylor Hodges|
Vanderbilt center fielder RJ Austin (42) scoops up a single hit by Arkansas outfielder Justin Thomas Jr. (4) during the third inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 28, 2025.
Vanderbilt center fielder RJ Austin (42) scoops up a single hit by Arkansas outfielder Justin Thomas Jr. (4) during the third inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, March 28, 2025. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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.

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.

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.

Today’s Commodores Schedule

Women’s Track and Field: Vanderbilt at USATF U20 Outdoor Championships, Eugene, Ore.

Yesterday’s Commodores Results

No games scheduled.

 Did You Notice?

Countdown to Vanderbilt’s 2025 Football Season Opener

72 days

Commodores Quote of the Day

“[Red Sanders] picked his players for resoluteness of purpose rather than ingrained skill.”
James Murray, Sports Illustrated

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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