Matt Conte, a catcher who earned a reputation as a reliable bat and defensive presence at Wake Forest, announced that he will not enter the 2026 MLB Draft and will instead join Vanderbilt for the upcoming season.
A strategic shift for Vanderbilt
The commitment adds a seasoned bat to a Commodores roster that has been reshaping its lineup through the transfer portal, aiming to stay competitive in the SEC and beyond.
Conte finished the 2026 college season with a .274 average, hit 12 home runs and was listed at No. 304 among draft prospects by Baseball America, projections that suggested he could be selected in the later rounds.
Vanderbilt’s coaching staff projects him as the team’s everyday starter at catcher, a role that could stabilize a position that has seen frequent changes in recent years.
The 2026 MLB Draft is scheduled to begin on July 11, a date that looms large for college players weighing professional opportunities against the benefits of another year of amateur play.
Two other Vanderbilt transfers, Dominic Monaco and Niko Brini, also remain draft‑eligible, though neither is expected to hear their names called during the draft, highlighting the competitive depth of the Commodores’ pipeline.
The moves reflect a broader trend in college baseball where top prospects are increasingly using the transfer portal to fine‑tune their development, and Vanderbilt’s aggressive recruitment of talent signals its intent to remain a powerhouse in the SEC.