NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Seven Commodores heard their names called in the 2025 MLB Draft this week, highlighted by three Dores selected in the first three rounds.
LHP JD Thompson, Milwaukee Brewers – Round 2, Pick 59
UTL RJ Austin, Baltimore Orioles – Round 3, Pick 93
RHP Cody Bowker, Philadelphia Phillies – Round 3, Pick 100
INF Riley Nelson, Cleveland Guardians – Round 5, Pick 162
RHP Sawyer Hawks, Arizona Diamondbacks – Round 6, Pick 183
LHP Levi Huesman, Washington Nationals – Round 16, Pick 471
INF Jonathan Vastine, San Diego Padres – Round 19, Pick 580
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.
Riley Nelson was selected by the Cleveland Guardians in the fifth round with the 162nd overall pick on Day 2 of the draft. Nelson led the Commodores in hitting this spring with a .344 average, the…