In just 22 days, Dansby Swanson will take his defensive stance as Shota Imanaga delivers the first pitch of the 2025-26 MLB season, with the Cubs facing the Dodgers in the Japan Series. The veteran shortstop raised Vanderbilt’s first College World Series banner in 2014. Now, he and fellow ‘Dores in the Pros have lofty goals in mind as they seek to win the coveted Commissioner’s Trophy in October.
Dansby Swanson, shortstop, Chicago Cubs
Swanson’s 2024 campaign left much to be desired for Cubs fans. In year two of his seven-year, $177 million stint with the Windy City, the 30-year-old struggled at the plate, slashing just .242/.312/.390 with 16 home runs in 149 games. It marked the first full season since 2018 in which the former College World Series Most Outstanding Player hit less than 17 homers, and Swanson snapped a three-year streak of hitting 22 or more long balls.
While Swanson’s numbers were objectively average for an MLB hitter, they don’t tell the full story. The Georgia native endured a brutal start, hitting a measly .212/.282/.350 in 87 contests. His second half of the season was much better, as his offensive production ballooned to .281/.352/.443 over a 62-game span. With momentum on his side, don’t be surprised if the two-time All-Star rebounds in the range of 25 home runs and 80 RBIs in 2025. Additionally, Swanson possesses underrated speed, stealing a career-high 19 bases in 2024. I’m betting he reaches at least 20 this season.
In 2024, Swanson showcased one of the most formidable gloves in baseball. The two-time Gold Glove recipient led all shortstops in a variety of advanced statistics, such as Defensive Value (18.9, per FanGraphs), Fielding Run Value (13, per baseballsavant) and Outs Above Average (18, per baseballsavant). Chicago’s highest-paid player has mastered the art of defending and could earn yet another Gold Glove this summer.
Walker Buehler, RHP, Boston Red Sox
Buehler tossed the final three outs of the World Series last October, capping a dramatic five-run comeback to secure the Dodgers’ eighth championship. Just one month later, the two-time World Series champion signed with the Boston Red Sox.
Buehler’s 2024 regular season was rough around the edges. After missing the entire 2023 campaign to recover from Tommy John surgery, the righty went 1-6 with a 5.38 ERA. His 2.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio was the second lowest of his career, and his -1.3 WAR was by far the worst of his career. However, such regular season woes were put to rest in the Fall Classic. In Game Three of the World Series, “Big Game Buehler” tossed five scoreless innings en route to the Dodgers’ 4-2 win over the Yankees. Just days later, the former Commodore sent his glove into orbit after striking out Alex Verdugo to win the World Series.
It is tough to predict how Buehler will fare this season. Tommy John surgery is often career-altering, and Buehler has routinely pitched like a shell of his 2021 self. Nevertheless, his heroic playoff performances have shown that the 30-year-old still has plenty left in the tank, and he may solidify a deep Red Sox rotation alongside Garrett Crochet and Lucas Giolito. With that being said, I expect Buehler to have an improved 2025 campaign, tossing at least seven wins and striking out at least 110 with a sub-4.50 ERA.
JJ Bleday, center fielder, Las Vegas Athletics
Bleday’s game — and health — took significant leaps forward in 2024. After playing just 147 combined games in his first two seasons, hitting 15 total home runs and batting a disappointing .185, the up-and-coming center fielder had his best season to date last year. At 26, Bleday appeared in 159 games, slashing .243/.324/.437 with a productive 20 home runs and 60 RBIs. His 43 doubles led the team and ranked fourth in the American League.
The young Vanderbilt alumnus — who helped head coach Tim Corbin raise the Commodores’ second College World Series banner in 2019 — was also a stout defensive presence in 2024. The 2019 SEC Player of the Year led all AL outfielders with 392 putouts, while Bleday ranked second among all center fielders with eight assists.
Bleday is expected to pick up his 2025 campaign right where he left off, ultimately hitting 25 home runs and 75 RBIs. I also predict Bleday will finish the season with a batting average of .260 or higher and at least five stolen bases.
Sonny Gray, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals
Sonny Gray can still wheel and deal among the best pitchers in baseball. His first year with the Cardinals — although a step down from his electrifying 2023 campaign, in which he finished second in the AL Cy Young race — was promising. In 28 appearances, the 34-year-old veteran finished with a team-leading 13-9 record, 3.84 ERA and 203 strikeouts. That’s right: even at the age of 34, the righty was able to eclipse 200 K’s for the second time in his decorated career. Now entering his 13th MLB season and the second year of his three-year, $70 million contract, Gray aims to lead St. Louis to the playoffs after last year’s near miss. Expect Gray to exceed the double-digit win mark and generate lots of noise in Cy Young discussions.
Jack Leiter, RHP, Texas Rangers
The second overall pick in the 2021 draft, Leiter faced a challenging start to his MLB career. In nine appearances, Vanderbilt’s former ace went 0-3 with a displeasing 8.83 ERA and 1.82 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The 23-year-old routinely struggled with his command and was unable to put hitters away in the later frames of contests. With that being said, there’s plenty of optimism that Leiter will rebound. His average fastball velocity of 96.4 miles per hour ranks in the 86th percentile among MLB pitchers, and opposing players hit just .125 against his filthy changeup. Leiter’s pitching arsenal is too elite for him to continue on his current trajectory. I expect a breakout performance from the Florida native in 2025, with 8 wins, 120 strikeouts, and a sub-4.00 ERA.
Kumar Rocker, RHP, Texas Rangers
Rocker is destined for greatness, and he gave us a glimpse of that last season. In three starts, the highly touted rookie posted an 0-2 record with a 3.86 ERA and 10.8 K/9 ratio. Despite Rocker’s early command struggles and antsiness on the mound, his stuff was elite per nearly every advanced metric. The 2022 second-overall pick’s 33.3% chase rate was one of the best in baseball. His 2.9% barrel rate ranked in the 99th percentile among MLB pitchers. He was an A-tier out-getter, inducing ground balls on 52.9% of balls put in play. Like his teammate Leiter, I predict a breakout year for Kumar — one strong enough to earn him his first All-Star selection.
Bryan Reynolds, left fielder, Pittsburgh Pirates
Reynolds is a bona fide star. In 2024, the six-year veteran posted a .275/.344/.447 slash line with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs, earning his second career All-Star selection. The left fielder’s impressive season marked his fourth straight year with over 20 home runs and 60 RBIs, and he shows no signs of slowing down. As the 30-year-old enters the second year of his eight-year, $106,750,000 contract, the highest-paid Pirate ever seeks to remain one of the most consistent hitters in the sport. I anticipate Reynolds to deliver at least 25 home runs and 85 RBIs en route to yet another All-Star selection.
Despite his offensive prowess, Reynolds has become something of a liability in left field. In 2024, the two-time All-Star recorded a -13 OAA, per baseballsavant, and his -1 Arm Value (AV) ranked in just the 32nd percentile across MLB. Late in the year, Reynolds started taking defensive reps at first base, so don’t be surprised if he makes a full-time shift there as the Pirates aim to strengthen their defense in the outfield.
Vanderbilt boasts the strongest MLB pipeline in all of collegiate sports. In 2024, 17 former Commodores appeared on MLB rosters — the most of any program in the country. This impressive representation is a testament to the program’s enduring success and the talent cultivated by Corbin. With a crop of both seasoned veterans and rising stars, expectations are high for another strong showing from the ‘Dores in 2025. From Swanson’s Gold Glove campaign to Buehler’s potential bounce-back season and breakout opportunities for players like Leiter and Rocker, the future is bright for Vanderbilt alumni in The Show.
