Dominic Monaco, a left‑handed pitcher who spent the last two seasons at Western Kentucky, has officially pledged to join Vanderbilt’s baseball program, adding another arm to the Commodores’ already deep bullpen.
A versatile arm for the Commodores
Monaco arrives in Nashville after a collegiate career that saw him post an 8.03 earned‑run average over 16 appearances, including six starts, while striking out 34 batters in 24.7 innings. The native of Arrington, Tennessee, also logged a 5.93 ERA in the Northwoods League with the Lakeshore Chinooks, where he shares the mound with Vanderbilt prospect Aukai Kea.
What sets Monaco apart is the breadth of his arsenal. He throws a fastball that can reach 95 miles per hour, along with a four‑seam and two‑seam variant, a sharp slider, a curveball and a changeup, giving him five distinct weapons that make him a versatile threat out of the bullpen.
In the Northwoods League this summer, Monaco’s 5.93 ERA reflects 22 strikeouts against 10 walks in 13.2 innings, underscoring both his upside and the need for refinement. His performance alongside Kea highlights a growing pipeline of talent that Vanderbilt is cultivating through summer league exposure.
The commitment marks the second transfer pitcher to join the Commodores this cycle, following USC’s Gavin Lauridsen, and represents the sixth overall transfer addition to the roster. Vanderbilt’s coaching staff sees Monaco as a key piece in replenishing a bullpen that has been a cornerstone of their recent success.
Monaco’s blend of experience and raw talent aligns with Vanderbilt’s strategy of bolstering depth through the transfer portal, a tactic that has paid dividends in recent seasons.