James Madison infielder Mike Mancini commits to Vanderbilt baseball in transfer portal

Mike Mancini, an infielder from James Madison, committed to Vanderbilt baseball in the transfer portal, he announced via social media Monday.

In 2024, Mancini hit .329 with 10 doubles, three triples and 15 home runs and had 29 stolen bases. He was second among James Madison regulars in batting average and third in home runs for a team that qualified for an NCAA regional.

Mancini made a name for himself in that Raleigh regional, when he hit four home runs in one day — two in each half of a doubleheader — against South Carolina and NC State. He provided the only runs James Madison scored against the Gamecocks in a 2-0 win.

Mancini was a second baseman with the Dukes, though it's unclear exactly which position he will play at Vanderbilt with Jayden Davis and Camden Kozeal also primarily at second base. The outfield could be a possibility, given his speed.

The rising junior has two years of eligibility remaining.

With Mancini and Koby Kropf, a transfer from USC Upstate who hit 20 home runs in 2024, the Commodores have now brought in two transfers who hit more home runs than Vanderbilt's top home run hitter, Alan Espinal, in 2024.

Joining Mancini and Kropf in the transfer class are Dayton utilityman David Mendez, Michigan State southpaw Joseph Dzierwa, Georgetown right-hander Cody Bowker, Dayton right-hander Connor Fennell and Stanford right-hander Tommy O'Rourke.

TRANSFER TRACKERVanderbilt baseball transfer tracker 2024: Who is leaving, joining via portal

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.