#42 RJ Austin Season 2022-23
UTL
Head coach Tim Corbin on Austin: “RJ has one speed to everything that he does. He is a fearless baller…reminiscent of players who played in the 70’s. He attacks the game and plays to beat the opponent. His actions inside the game are a great testament to how passionate he is about competing and baseball. He is a young man who doesn’t come with any instructions or maintenance. He has a very high care level for everything that he does.”
Student-Athlete Features
The Tennesseean – Vanderbilt baseball’s RJ Austin is a throwback player in an NIL world
As a Freshman (2023)
• Named MVP and All-Tournament at SEC Tournament
• Drove in a pair of runs with a double in SEC Tournament win against Florida (May 27)
• Two-run homer in win over Alabama (May 26) at SEC Tournament
• Went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs vs. Kentucky (April 29)
• Go-ahead RBI single in fifth inning of win vs. South Carolina (April 15)
• Drove in three runs in series-clinching win at Missouri (April 8)
• Two-run double in win over WKU (April 4)
• Homered and tallied three RBIs in win vs. Georgia (March 31)
• Four-RBI day including a three-run homer in 8-0 win over #3 Ole Miss (March 17)
• Homered in consecutive at-bats vs. #18 Maryland (March 4)
• Hit first collegiate home run in win over #18 Maryland (March 4)
• First collegiate hit in win over #9 Oklahoma State, went 2-for-4 with two RBI (Feb. 18)
The Austin File
• Attended Pace Academy (Atlanta, Ga.)
• 2022 Perfect Game All-American Classic Player and Preseason All-Southeast Region first team
• Rated as the No. 59 overall prospect and No. 11 shortstop by Perfect Game
• Ranked No. 7 overall prospect and No. 2 shortstop out of Georgia according to Perfect Game
• U18 USA Baseball alum
• Two-time MBP All-America
• Country All-Stars Player of the Year
• High School All-America first team
• 2021-22 team captain, contributed in back-to-back undefeated region championships, and an Elite 8 and Final 4 appearance
• Hit .450 as a senior with 10 home runs, eight doubles, four triples, 38 RBI and 53 runs scored
• Father, Reggie, played for the Chicago Bears (1999-2003)
• Cousin, Jay Austin, played for the Houston Astros in 2010
• Cousin, Myles Austin, played baseball at Alabama
• Has one brother, Dash
• Hobbies include hanging out with friend, playing video games and modeling
• Full name is Reginald Antonio Austin, Jr.