Vandy247 Podcast

The 2019 MLB Draft will have a heavy Vanderbilt presence in terms of current players like J.J. Bleday and perhaps a dozen other Commodores. At least that many Commodore signees are good enough to be drafted--including a couple potential first-rounders and a number of early Day 2-level talents--but how likely is that given the money they'd want? Chris Lee and New York Dore tackle all that, and more.

This week, Vanderbilt AD Malcolm Turner sent an open letter to fans that discussed facilities. Were there some subtle hints that a new stadium could be on the way? Chris Lee and Seabass talk about that, Vandy baseball heading into the regional, as well as hit hoops recruiting and take mailbag questions.

Chris Lee throws out an astonishing stat that illustrates how much better the 2019 lineup is that VU's previous elite groups. He and New York Dore discuss Harrison Ray's breakout, and New York Dore's theory about Mason Hickman opening the Nashville Regional as Vanderbilt's starter on the mound. The two then talk at length about VU's signing class, and how much of it gets through the draft.

Welcome to the NCAA Baseball Tournament, where the NCAA is very concerned about walk-up music and what dugout you sit in, but not so much about parity in seeding across regionals. Chris Lee and Chip Fridrich rip the NCAA for that, and also talk about VU's terrific run to an SEC Tournament title. Also, is it time to make Mason Hickman the No. 3 starter?

Vanderbilt's win over Mississippi State may have vaulted it ahead of UCLA for the top national seed. Chris Lee and Mitch Light discuss that, plus, some things the two have liked out of the VU bullpen lately. The two talk about changes they've seen under AD Malcolm Turner so far, the process of making SEC football picks and more.

Vanderbilt made an interesting hire with high school coach Faragi Phillips, who has coached some potential VU targets. Chris Lee and Seabass talk about the hire and the makeup of the coaching staff, and also note how Michigan made a similar out-of-the-box hire to Jerry Stackhouse with its unexpected vacancy.

While Vanderbilt is certain to host an NCAA baseball--and a super regional, if it gets that far--the Commodores do have some things to accomplish in this week's Southeastern Conference Tournament. Chris Lee and Chip Fridrich discuss those things, as well as VU's sweep at Kentucky.

Mitch Light joins the show to review Vanderbilt's crazy 16-10 over Kentucky on Thursday, one that has VU within a game of a Southeastern Conference title. The two discuss parallels between the 2011 season and this one (and how that team had bullpen issues, too) and then Mitch reveals Athlon's SEC East forecast, as well as some Commodores who made preseason All-SEC teams.

Chris Lee and Seabass discuss the rising draft stocks of J.J. Bleday and Darius Garland, and take a bunch of questions on baseball, football and basketball.

Vanderbilt won three of four games against top-15 RPI teams last week, and won them without bludgeoning those teams with their bats. Chris Lee and Chip Fridrich discuss why that matters, and get into why Vanderbilt pitching may be better than we've thought. The two then talk about a weekend ahead with huge postseason implications for the Southeastern Conference, and Chris makes his weekend predictions, followed by how the SEC Tournament bracket would take shape if those come true.