JUCO transfer infielder Riley Nelson commits to Vanderbilt Commodores

The Vanderbilt Commodores landed a big-time baseball prospect from the transfer portal ranks on Saturday night. JUCO transfer infielder Riley Nelson decided to join the ‘Dores. That news was relayed by Grace Hall of The Vandy Hustler. Last season, he had a .495 slugging percentage and blasted 13 home runs in a wood-bat league.

At Yavapai College in 2024, Nelson was an all-conference selection. He hit .412 with 21 doubles, while being walked 29 times to 12 strikeouts. In the MLB Draft League this summer, Nelson hit .330, which ranked seventh in the league. He also hit eight doubles, tying for eighth in the league. Nelson was actually previously committed to University of Texas Rio Grande Valley but decommitted early in July.

The 6-foo-3, 200-pounder is a left-handed hitter, something Vandy needs more of since they lost Camden Kozeal, who decided to hit the portal and join the Arkansas Razorbacks. Nelson becomes the first JUCO player to commit to Vandy since Javier Vaz, who played for the ‘Dores in 2021 and 2022. Vaz was eventually drafted in the 15th round of the 2022 MLB Draft.

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