Dores in the Pros

Updates from around professional baseball

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt baseball continues to be one of college baseball's premier pipelines to The Show. Twelve former Commodores are competing at baseball's highest level while dozens more continue their development throughout Minor League Baseball.

Sonny Gray has been one of the league's top arms this season with the Boston Red Sox. Gray owns a 12-1 record with a 2.48 ERA. 

On June 28, Gray tallied his 2,000th career strikeout to join an exclusive club of less than 100 big leaguers all-time.

Another highlight from the first half of the season was Dansby Swanson going on a tear for the Chicago Cubs. From June 23 to July 1, Swanson went 15-for-41 (.366) with two doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 26 RBI and 12 runs scored over 10 games.

Since RBI became official in 1920, there have been only six times a player has recorded 26 or more RBI in a 10-game span.

Dansby Swanson - 2026
Joe DiMaggio - 1939
Jimmie Foxx - 1933
Lou Gehrig - 1931
Lou Gehrig - 1930
Mel Ott - 1929

JJ Bleday has enjoyed a breakout first season with the Cincinnati Reds, batting .243 with 16 home runs, 43 RBI, five stolen bases and an .837 OPS through the All-Star break. The former Commodore earned National League Player of the Month honors in May after slashing .319/.443/.691 with 10 home runs and 24 RBI, highlighted by a two-homer, six-RBI performance against Washington on May 14.

In Atlanta, Mike Yastrzemski has homered six times and driven in 28 runs. On July 9 against the Pirates, Yas hit a ninth-inning grand slam to help the Braves pull away late. 

Spencer Jones became the 37th Commodore since 2003 to make his Major League debut on May 8 for the New York Yankees. On June 9, Jones launched his first home run 443 feet.

Bryan Reynolds has been one of the National League's steadiest hitters in 2026, batting .281 with 14 home runs, 57 RBI, 65 runs scored, seven stolen bases and an .872 OPS through the All-Star break. The former Commodore enjoyed a standout June, recording a 17-game hitting streak while reaching base in 34 consecutive games. Reynolds entered the break among the National League leaders in on-base percentage and runs scored, continuing to pace Pittsburgh's offense.

More highlights from the first half of the MLB and MiLB seasons: