Mike Mancini, a former Vanderbilt baseball star, was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the 268th overall pick in the ninth round of the 2026 MLB Draft. After transferring from James Madison, Mancini had a breakout season at Vanderbilt with a .305 average, .433 on-base percentage, and 1.028 OPS, including 13 home runs and 15 doubles. Overcoming a hamate injury and imposter syndrome in 2025, he played with freedom in 2026, earning praise from coach Tim Corbin who compared him to elite seniors. Mancini now aims to elevate his Vanderbilt legacy in professional baseball.
Vanderbilt second baseman Mike Mancini runs the bases on his two-RBI double against Oklahoma during the seventh inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn.
, Thursday, April 9, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect NASHVILLE — It took longer than what Vanderbilt fans are used to, but the Commodores finally had their first player taken in the 2026 MLB Draft. Former Vanderbilt baseball star Mike Mancini was selected by the San Francisco Giants with the No. 268-overall pick in the ninth round. Mancini came to Vanderbilt after a strong career at James Madison with a moment like this in mind.
He knew that if he wanted to take the next steps in his college career, he had to do it at a place like Vanderbilt. Mancini hit for a .305 average, .433 on-base percentage and a 1.028 OPS.
Mancini homered 13 times and doubled 15 times in the midst of his breakout season. 2026 was the year Mancini had in mind when he arrived at Vanderbilt, but couldn’t execute in 2025 due to a hamate injury and a dose of imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome didn’t appear to be part of his story anymore in 2026, though.
“You can tell he’s playing with some freedom, for sure,” Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin said during the season. “Mike has done some things that I think a lot of Vanderbilt players haven’t done, to be in double figures in both home runs and stolen bases. Austin Martin didn’t do that. That's just a pretty good, well rounded offensive player.
” Corbin honored Mancini by comparing him to Ethan Paul, Julian Infante, Mike Yasztrzemski and Curt Casali–who he considers the best seniors to play for his program. Now, Mancini aims to have a professional career that elevates his Vanderbilt legacy. Mancini will do it without imposter syndrome.
“I see him enjoying this game again,” Mancini’s mom, Jacquie, said during the season. “Unfortunately there was a rough patch because he got to see the business side of baseball–that part is not so much fun. He just wanted to get back to enjoying this sport like he’s a little kid again.
"Vanderbilt didn't have a player selected in the first round for just the third time since 2011, including its second draft in three years.
During those other two drafts, 2013 and 2024, it had at least one second-round selection, including three in the latter.2025: Seth Hernandez, RHP PIT 1st Round 2022: Andruw Jones, OF ARI 1st Round 2020: Austin Martin, UTL TOR 1st Round 2017: Kyle Wright, RHP ATL 1st Round 2015: Dansby Swanson, SS ARI 1st Round 2012: Matt Olson, 1B OAK 1st Round 2009: Mike Minor, LHP ATL 1st Round 2007: David Price, LHP TB 1st Round 2004: Jeremy Sowers, LHP CLE 1st Round 2001: Josh Cram, RHP SF 4th Round1998: Matt Padgett, OF FLA 5th RoundJoey Dwyer is the lead writer on Vanderbilt Commodores On SI.
He found his first love in college sports at nearby Lipscomb University and decided to make a career of telling its best stories. He got his start doing a Notre Dame basketball podcast from his basement as a 14-year-old during COVID and has since aimed to make that 14-year-old proud. Dwyer has covered Vanderbilt sports for three years and previously worked for 247 Sports and Rivals. He contributes to Seth Davis' Hoops HQ, Basket Under Review and Mainstreet Nashville.
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