NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The 2025 MLB Draft kicked off Sunday evening in Atlanta with the first three rounds. Rounds 4-20 will take place Monday beginning at 10:30 a.m. CT.
JD Thompson, Milwaukee Brewers – Round 2, Pick 59
RJ Austin, Baltimore Orioles – Round 3, Pick 93
Cody Bowker, Philadelphia Phillies – Round 3, Pick 100
JD Thompson was the first Commodore selected in this year’s draft, going in the second round to the Milwaukee Brewers with the 59th pick.
Thompson totaled 164.0 innings over the past three seasons at Vandy, recording 219 strikeouts to just 61 walks. The southpaw earned six wins this spring and led all Commodores with 122 strikeouts. He was named Preseason All-America (D1Baseball) and Preseason All-SEC after a breakout sophomore campaign during which he was named to the ABCA/Rawlings All-Southeast Region Team.
RJ Austin was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles with the 93rd pick in the third round. Austin became the fifth Commodore to win a Gold Glove after putting up some of the nation’s best defensive stats in center field this season, totaling nearly 10 defensive runs saved. The Georgia native tallied six outfield assists and made nearly 140 putouts while committing just two errors. The junior also earned SEC All-Tournament Team and All-Defensive Team honors.
In three seasons, Austin hit .283 with 14 homers, 139 RBI, 40 doubles and six triples. He stole 54 bases and totaled 134 runs scored.
Cody Bowker was selected shortly after Austin as the Philadelphia Phillies drafted the righty with the 100th overall pick in the third round. Bowker registered 99 strikeouts over 72.0 innings for the Dores this season. He earned the win with 4.0 shutout innings vs. #21 Tennessee at the SEC Tournament. Bowker went 6.0 scoreless innings vs. Xavier on March 9, totaling 10 strikeouts with just one hit allowed. He didn’t allow a hit and struck out six over 5.0 scoreless innings vs. Saint Mary’s on Feb. 23 and threw 4.0 scoreless innings with six strikeouts in his Vandy debut vs. UC Irvine on Feb. 16.
Seven Commodores were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft led by pitchers Bryce Cunningham and Carter Holton who were both taken in the second round.
There have been multiple Commodores taken in every draft since 2004 with six or more players being selected in four consecutive drafts entering 2025. All-time, Vanderbilt has more than 200 players selected including an NCAA-leading 154 since 2004.