College Corner: Belmont’s Grayson Murphy, Vanderbilt & Tennessee Baseball Preseason Poll Rankings

/in , , /by

Belmont’s Grayson Murphy Breaks OVC All-Time Assist Record

Grayson Murphy. Photo: Courtesy of Belmont Athletics

Belmont senior Grayson Murphy has broken the Oho Valley Conference’s all-time assist record with 702 assists. He picked up five assists in Monday’s (Jan. 24) win against Eastern Illinois University.

The point guard broke Bruce Jones‘ record from Eastern Kentucky, who held the record for 41 years. Murphy has been one of the pillars of Belmont’s current squad and averages 8.1 ppg, 6.2 rpg and 5.8 apg.

The Franklin, Tennessee, native has led the Bruins in assists and steals in each of the past three seasons. He is a two-time OVC Defensive Player of the Year and was the 2021 OVC Preseason Co-Player of the Year.

 

 

Vanderbilt Ranked No. 2 In Baseball America Preseason Poll

Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

As the college baseball season is just about a month away, Vanderbilt has been ranked No. 2  in Baseball America‘s preseason top 25 rankings.

Vanderbilt made its second straight trip to the College World Series in 2021, eventually losing to Mississippi State. The Commodores are among six other SEC teams in Baseball America‘s top 10: Mississippi State (No. 3), Florida (No. 6), Arkansas (No. 8), Ole Miss (No. 9) and LSU (No. 10.)

The Dores will welcome back some of the best players in the nation, including D1Baseball’s 2022 Top 100 MLB Draft Prospects Carter Young (No. 25), Spencer Jones (No. 60), Dominic Keegan (No. 66) and Nick Maldonado (No. 74).

Recently extended head coach, Tim Corbin, will lead Vanderbilt back on to the field on Feb. 18, when the Commodores welcome Oklahoma State, who is ranked No. 19 in Baseball America’s preseason poll.

 

 

University of Tennessee Ranked No. 17 In Baseball America‘s Preseason Poll

Photo: by Andrew Ferguson/University of Tennessee Athletics

Along with their cross-state rival, Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee was also included in Baseball America‘s preseason top 25, being ranked No. 17.

The Volunteers had one of their most successful seasons ever in 2021, finishing with an overall record of 50-18 and an SEC record of 20-10. UTK hosted a regional for the first time since 2005 and hosted a super regional for the first time ever, posting a perfect 5-0 record in the NCAA tournament’s first two rounds before making the program’s fifth trip to the College World Series.

This season, the Vols are slated to play five of the top 10 teams in Baseball America‘s rankings, including a College World Series rematch with No. 1 Texas at the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic at Minute Maid Park in Houston on March 4.

Tennessee will also returns 24 letterwinners from last season’s team, including “Super Seniors” in Evan Russell, Luc Lipcius and Redmond Walsh.

Tim Corbin Signs Contract Extension With Vanderbilt

/in , /by

Tim Corbin. Photo: Courtesy of Vanderbilt Athletics

Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin has signed a contract extension with the Commodores after completing his 19th season in 2021.

“Coach Corbin and the Vandy Boys continue to set an example for what is possible to achieve. They have set the bar high for Vanderbilt Athletics,” says Candice Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “By offering student-athletes a world-class education and an opportunity to learn from one of the best leaders in sports, while competing in the SEC, Coach Corbin has forged college baseball’s preeminent program and a team that we are all proud to call our own.

“The Vandy Boys are responsible for some of Commodore Nation’s greatest memories,” Lee continues. “I appreciate the investment that Tim and his wife, Maggie, have made—and continue to make—in our community. We are steadfast in our commitment to supporting them and the program for years ahead.”

Corbin has turned Vanderbilt baseball to be one 0f the most successful baseball programs in the nation, leading the Commodores to four national championship appearances and two College World Series wins (2014, 2019) in the past eight seasons.

His record of 802-377-1 (.680) is first in wins at Vanderbilt and first in winning percentage for coaches with at least 100 games. Corbin is 908-515-1 (.638) throughout his career as a head coach.

Corbin has led Vanderbilt to 15 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, tied for the longest streak in SEC history.

“I am as grateful today for this position as I was when we began in the summer of 2002,” Corbin says. “This university has been so supportive of our program through the years, and all we want to do is represent Vanderbilt to the best of our ability to show our appreciation. We are extremely thankful to both Candice Lee and Chancellor Daniel Diermeier for their support and friendship.”

Since taking over in 2003, 52 student-athletes have been named All-American, including 17 who received first-team recognition. Corbin has coached 29 freshman All-Americans and 26 future MLB players.

Corbin was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2020.

Brett Young Partners With Music City Baseball, LLC

/in /by

Pictured (L-R): John Loar, Alberto Gonzales and Brett Young. Photo: Courtesy of Music City Baseball LLC

Country artist Brett Young has partnered with Music City Baseball LLC as a member of the already star-studded Music Advisory Board.

Young joins fellow musicians Luke Combs, Justin Timberlake, Darius Rucker and Mickey Guyton, among others, in supporting the push to bring Major League Baseball to the state of Tennessee.

“I’ve been a baseball fan my entire life and I’m looking forward to working with Music City Baseball and other music advisors to secure a team in Nashville,” says Young, who played collegiate baseball at Ole Miss. “It’s the perfect fit for an MLB team, and the plans Music City Baseball have for a family and entertainment complex are unparalleled.”

Music City Baseball’s goal is to secure an expansion team, which they hope would be named the Nashville Stars. The name would pay homage to several Negro League baseball teams that played in Nashville in the 1940s. The group also intends to bring a team to Nashville with private investment and no government funding.

“Having Brett join our team was a no brainer for us. We are thrilled to have his support as we continue to raise awareness and excitement about the potential of having a Major League Baseball team in Nashville,” says John Loar, managing director of Music City Baseball.

The partnership comes on the heels of the release of Young’s inaugural holiday album, Brett Young & Friends Sing the Christmas Classics (BMLG Records). Young is slated to return to the CMT Crossroads stage for the first-ever Christmas-themed episode on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. CT. The 60-minute special will feature Young alongside friends and collaborators Boyz II Men, Chris Tomlin, Colbie Caillat, Dann Huff, Darius Rucker, Gavin DeGraw and Maddie & Tae.

Brentwood Native Robbie Ray Wins American League Cy Young Award

/in /by

Robbie Ray. Photo: Courtesy of the Toronto Blue Jays

Brentwood native and Brentwood High School graduate Robbie Ray was awarded the American League Cy Young for his outstanding performance in 2021 with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Ray received all but one first place votes by the Baseball Writer’s Association of America (BBWA). This season, Ray threw 193.1 innings in 32 games with an ERA of 2.84, 248 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.04. He led the AL in all three categories.

The Tennessee native verbally committed to Vanderbilt before committing in 2010 to enter the MLB Draft, where he was selected by the Washington Nationals. The 30-year-old spent five and half years with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization before being traded to the Blue Jays in 2020 where he struggled immensely having an ERA of 6.62.

He signed a one-year $8 million deal with Toronto for the 2021 season and is now a free-agent.

Ray was a top MLB prospect during his senior year at Brentwood where he struck-out 95 batters and earned an ERA of .50. He also threw three no-hitters and a perfect game against Centennial High School.

Ray’s win marked the fifth time a Blue Jays pitcher has won the Cy Young and the first since the late Hall of Famer Roy Halladay won in 2003.

Vanderbilt Alumni Dansby Swanson, Kyle Wright Help Atlanta Braves Win 2021 World Series

/in /by

Dansby Swanson. Photo: Courtesy of the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves demolished the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6 to win its first World Series since 1995. Former Vanderbilt superstars Dansby Swanson and Kyle Wright were critical parts of the Braves team during this World Series.

Swanson, who grew up in Georgia as a Braves fan, had 20 at bats during the World Series with four hits, three RBI’s and two home runs–one of which came during Game 6 to give the Braves a commanding 6-0 lead in the fifth inning.

Swanson also recorded the last out for the Braves with a groundout to first to clinch the club’s championship.

He won the College World Series with Vandy in 2014 and was named College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

Kyle Wright. Photo: Courtesy of the Atlanta Braves

Wright also went to the CWS in 2015 with Vandy and was later drafted by the Braves in 2017. Making his major league debut in 2018, he was named to the World Series squad in October after pitching only twice during the regular season.

Wright came in clutch in Game 4, coming in as relief for Dylan Lee in the first inning. He went on to pitch 4.5 innings to keep the Braves in a 2-1 game. In the same game, Swanson hit a game-tying home run pushing the Braves to a win.

Swanson and Wright are now members of an exclusive group who have won both a College World Series and MLB World Series.

MLB To Upgrade Facilities, Offer Housing To Minor League Players

/in /by

Major League Baseball will be upgrading baseball facilities for minor league organizations and offering housing to minor league players, according to reports by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

“MLB is engaged in a multi-year effort to modernize the Minor League system and better assist players as they pursue their dreams of playing in the Major Leagues. In 2021, we increased the salaries for Minor League players by 38-72%, depending on level, and significantly reduced travel requirements during the season. In addition, hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of improvements to Minor League ballparks around the country are already underway, including substantial renovations to player-facing facilities like locker rooms and training rooms,” the league says in it statement. “In mid-September, the owners discussed the issue of player housing and unanimously agreed to begin providing housing to certain Minor League players. We are in the process of finalizing the details of that policy and expect it to be announced and in place for the 2022 season.”

This past season minor leaguers had their salaries increased, improved working conditions to promote player health and support development, fewer miles and hours spent traveling, more frequent off-days to improve rest and recovery, and new standards for facilities and clubhouse amenities.

The Nashville Sounds and the Milwaukee Brewers have not made an official statements regarding these changes.

Minor League Baseball returned this season after being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Many teams saw large increases in attendances including the Nashville Sounds who had the largest attendance among all minor league teams in 2021.

Adam English Named Nashville Sounds General Manager, Chief Operating Officer

/in /by

The Nashville Sounds Baseball Club has named Adam English as the team’s new General Manager and Chief Operating Officer.

English joins the Sounds after serving as the Vice President and General Manager for the Gwinnett Stripers, the Triple-A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. English joined the Stripers in November of 2018. Prior to his three seasons with Gwinnett, English was with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats from 2013-18.

He started with Sacramento as the Director of Ticket Sales and received promotions to Senior Director of Ticket Sales and Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, English was with the Single-A Lexington Legends from 2010-13 as the Director of Ticket Sales and later the Assistant General Manager. He began his professional career in sports with Ripken Baseball in 2006.

“This is a very exciting day for the Nashville Sounds organization,” says Sounds co-owner Frank Ward. “Adam English brings over 17 years of experience in professional baseball and is a talented and dedicated executive in the business. He brings a wealth of knowledge in leadership, corporate partnerships and fan experience to Nashville. I look forward to Adam’s relationships with our staff, fans, partners, community organizations and the Milwaukee Brewers.”

“It’s my honor to take over as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer of the Nashville Sounds,” shares English. “Frank Ward and the Sounds are widely recognized as leaders not only in Minor League Baseball but the entire sports industry. Nashville is a great sports town, and MiLB is all about community. I cannot wait to get involved in Middle Tennessee and make an even greater impact. First Horizon Park is a world-class facility and I’m dedicated to continuing to improve upon the fantastic fan experience already in place.”

English currently serves on the Board of Directors for the following organizations: Gwinnett Medical Center Foundation, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also a member of the Gwinnett Rotary Club and previously served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sacramento.

Nashville Sounds Draw Largest Season Attendance In Minor League Baseball

/in /by

First Horizon Park. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp

As the Nashville Sounds played their final homestand of the 2021 season, they welcomed fans all weekend, ending the season with an attendance of 436,868, the highest in all Minor League Baseball.

The Sounds finished the season 41-24 at First Horizon Park–the fourth-best home record in the Triple-A East. Nashville has won eight of their last nine games overall and nine of their last 11 at First Horizon Park.

However, the club saw less fans this season than in 2019 and before, notably due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the Sounds welcomed 578,291 fans to First Horizon Park, the fifth straight year of over 500,000. It was the fourth time in the five-year existence of the park with over 550,000 fans. The average attendance of 8,631 fans per game was the second-highest average in the Pacific Coast League.

All of Minor League Baseball was cancelled in 2020, so many teams took a major economic hit by not having fans come to games. Though the club’s attendance was lower than years past, even in the middle of a pandemic, the Sounds welcomed almost half a million fans.