​Maddix Simpson, a transfer third baseman from Ohio State, announced his commitment to Vanderbilt baseball via social media on July 10. In 2026, Simpson posted a .283 batting average with eight doubles and four home runs, establishing himself as a reliable contact hitter with a strikeout rate under 15%. During his sophomore season in 2026, he played exclusively at third base, though he also appeared in 14 games at shortstop in 2025. According to D1Baseball’s Defensive Runs Saved, Simpson is an above-average defender at both third base and shortstop, suggesting he can contribute on the infield beyond his primary position.
At Vanderbilt, Simpson is anticipated to be a depth piece on a roster that features experienced starters at both shortstop and third base. Ryker Waite is projected to start at shortstop, while Brodie Johnston is slated to anchor the third base position; both are expected to be among the top performers in the Southeastern Conference in 2027. Simpson’s addition continues a busy transfer period for the Commodores in 2026, as he becomes the ninth transfer the program has brought in for the season.
Among the new Vanderbilt players this year are fellow position players Blaize Ward from Missouri, Hunter Ray from Fairleigh Dickinson, Niko Brini from Wofford, Matt Conte from Wake Forest, and Bud Coombs from Maryland. The pitching staff adds Shane Brinham from Michigan, Gavin Lauridsen from USC, and Dominic Monaco from Western Kentucky, rounding out a diverse and experienced group with potential to strengthen Vanderbilt’s lineup and overall competitiveness in the 2027 season.
This information comes from Aria Gerson, who covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. You can reach her at agerson@gannett.com or on X at @aria_gerson. The original report appeared in the Nashville Tennessean, and the article’s emphasis includes Maddix Simpson’s transfer infielder status and Vanderbilt’s projected depth as they build toward a solid SEC showing in the coming years.