Vanderbilt vs. Rutgers
by Zach Chase
Saturday afternoon’s scrimmage between Vanderbilt and Rutgers represented a unique opportunity for both programs in the fall campaign. For Rutgers, it provided a rare chance to welcome an elite SEC program to Piscataway & to give them a test of their mettle before the upcoming season. For Vanderbilt, the trip gave their many players from New Jersey and Northeast the ability to come home and play before their friends and families. For both programs, it was their clearest look yet at each of their rosters, how they’re shaping out, and who can be looked to for big time performances this season. And on that front, Saturday’s scrimmage brought plenty to the table & showcased an outstanding array of talented players that many will see on their televisions in a few months. Let’s get into the top performances of the day:
On the Commodores’ side, Greysen Carter seemed to not lose a beat after his strong summer performance on Cape Cod. The Junior right hander showed off a fastball that topped out at 101 and consistently hit the upper 90’s to 100 MPH, by far the highest velocity any arm on either team flashed on the day, while inducing several weak ground balls. He also showcased a slider he started experimenting with this summer and figures to try to show more of during the spring.
The arm that flashed the 2nd highest top speed on the day might belong to Vandy newcomer Ethan McElvain. The lefty is regarded as a top 50 level prospect across the board and was a candidate to be drafted last June before indicating he was to honor his commitment to Vanderbilt. He sat at 97 MPH with his easy delivery and showed off a slider and changeup as well, despite allowing a home run.
At the plate for the Commodores, Jonathan Vastine is an absolute stud, in what should come as news to no one. Coming off an elite summer for the Cape Cod Baseball League Champion Bourne Braves, the Junior flashes elite speed and a strong glove at shortstop as well. He picked up 2 hits on Saturday, showing off that aforementioned speed.
One of the biggest days at the plate for the Commodores Saturday without doubt came from uber-talented Sophomore RJ Austin. After a strong summer on Cape Cod for the YD Red Sox, Austin and Vastine should make up a nightmarish top of the order and middle infield for Vanderbilt this season. He whacked 2 doubles Saturday and showed his gazelle-like speed both on those doubles and an infield single to boot.
Tony Santa Maria, the Senior Scarlet Knights 3rd baseman who missed almost the entirety of last season with injury, looks ready to get back on track in 2024. After an RBI single in the 1 st , Santa Maria launched a home run off of talnted Vanderbilt righty Andrew Dutkanych. Also known for being elite with the glove, look for Santa Maria and Kuroda-Grauer to form one of the top left sides of the infield in the nation.
After starting 8 games for the Scarlet Knights last season, Justin Sinibaldi looks to lock down the 2nd starter role behind returning ace Christian Coppola this season. And the 6’5” lefty with a smooth release looks on his way to doing just that. On Saturday, his fastball topped out at 93 and he showed off a sharp curveball as well.
RJ Johnson, who’s transferring to Piscataway from Gulf Coast State College in Florida, comes in off an impressive JUCO season, where he reached base at a .471 clip and stole 16 bases while only being caught once. He looks to have some power too. He launched a lefty-on-lefty home run off the aforementioned McElvain Saturday as he looks eager to lock up a regular spot in the lineup.
The Scarlet Knights also have a stud from the aforementioned CCBL champion Braves on their roster in their Junior SS/2B Joshua Kuroda-Grauer. Showing a mature approach at the plate with the ability to drive the ball (he had a triple on Saturday) and a consistent glove in the field, JKG looks to be the best overall player in Piscataway this season and a candidate for BIG 10 Player of the Year.
Canadian Freshman 1B Ty Doucette looked poised to make himself a main cog in the Scarlet Knights’ lineup very quickly. The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia native hit cleanup for Rutgers on Saturday and launched a long homer, along with a base hit off the bat at 99 MPH to go with it.
Rutgers Sophomore OF Trevor Cohen, one of my favorite freshmen from last season, flashed the power element missing from his game last season as he whacked a home run Saturday. Cohen has an elite hitters’ eye & looks poised to have a breakout year hitting at the top of the Scarlet Knights’ lineup. He also flashes a strong glove in the outfield and great speed to chase balls down.
Scarlet Knights 5 TH year lefty LHP Joey DeChiaro, a transfer from Old Dominion, also threw for the Scarlet Knights on Saturday for the 1 st time this fall. The lefty was impressive for Brewster in the Cape Cod Baseball League this summer, starting the All-Star Game, and flashed some swing and miss stuff Saturday. Look for him to potentially grab the final weekend rotation role for the Knights along with Coppola & Sinibaldi.
More Notes
Vandy Freshman RHP Alex Kranzler, a consensus top 200 recruit who also hails from Northern NJ not too far from Rutgers, got some action for the Commodores Saturday, with a 91-93 MPH fastball.
Troy LaNeve, the Commodores’ 5 th year senior outfielder, looks to be counted on as a starter in what will be his final year in the program. The experienced lefty had multiple hits on Saturday and looks to get plenty of at-bats in the middle of the order come springtime.
Another returning outfielder hoping to earn a consistent spot for the Commodores this spring is Junior Matthew Polk. He helped his cause Saturday with a home run to left.
Junior Scarlet Knights RHP Jordan Falco, a 6’6” righty transfer from D-II Adelphi on Long Island, had a few strikeouts and induced several groundouts as well on Saturday.
Junior Commodore Chris Maldonado looks to shore up the 1 st base spot this spring and picked up a hit on Saturday while playing at home in his native New Jersey.
5th year 1 st baseman Jordan Sweeney returns for the Scarlet Knights this spring and picked up a hit on Saturday as well.
Credits: Photo by Rutgers Baseball
