Koby Kropf, an outfielder from USC Upstate, has committed to Vanderbilt, marking head coach Tim Corbin’s fifth portal commitment this offseason. After attending two years of junior college, Kropf transferred to USC Upstate for two years. He blossomed into a true power hitter in 2024, as he slashed .352 while racking up 21 doubles and 20 home runs. While these numbers are impressive, one of the biggest critiques of Kropf is that he didn’t consistently face SEC-level competition at USC Upstate. Nevertheless, in a series against Kentucky, he was able to hit a home run and draw four walks. He also smashed a grand slam against Clemson in the top of the eighth to lead his team past the Tigers. His impressive power, paired with his ability to compete at high levels, albeit in short spurts, indicates that his skills should translate to the SEC.
After suffering losses to Coastal Carolina and High Point in its NCAA Regional, Vanderbilt Baseball has looked to the transfer portal to replace key pieces on its roster. In the past, Corbin has been hesitant to utilize the portal, relying on a developmental approach with its rostered players and commits instead. However, this offseason, he’s clearly adjusted his approach, as Vanderbilt has now added five transfers just weeks after the end of the season. This total already exceeds last year’s number of four transfers.
In a Vanderbilt offense that struggled to leave the park this season, Kropf could be a critical piece in restoring a once-potent offense. The graduate transfer has one year of eligibility remaining and should start to begin the season. He has experience at both catcher and in the outfield, so it remains unclear where Corbin will choose to play him defensively, and will likely depend on what other transfers the Commodores bring in.
Corbin and Co. have relied heavily on the transfer portal through the beginning parts of the offseason. With hitters Matt Ossenfort and Ray Velazquez having already entered the portal, it seems that the Commodores will continue to search for more bats to bolster its lineup.
