Rustan Rigdon, Hudson Barton to play for Vanderbilt baseball after not getting drafted

Vanderbilt baseball signees Rustan Rigdon and Hudson Barton, who went undrafted in the 2024 MLB Draft, confirmed their intentions to play for the Commodores on social media Tuesday.

Rigdon and Barton were ranked as MLB draft prospects . Rigdon, a switch-hitting infielder, was ranked the No. 113 player in the draft by MLB Pipeline, and Barton, a right-handed pitcher, was No. 209.

Injuries dampened the draft stocks and recruiting rankings for Barton and Rigdon. Rigdon had Tommy John surgery during the fall, which prevented him from playing shortstop at Metter (Georgia) High School. Barton had the same surgery earlier in his career and returned for his senior season at Grace Christian Academy, where he showed a fastball that touched 96 mph.

Barton could factor into the bullpen immediately, just as several freshmen did in 2024. Rigdon has a more difficult path to work his way into a starting spot in the middle infield due to several returning players there. Jayden Davis projects as the returning starter at second base, while shortstop Jonathan Vastine went undrafted and also figures to return.

The Commodores saw only one signee drafted, right-handed pitcher Owen Hall.

DRAFT TRACKER Tracking Vanderbilt baseball players, signees selected in 2024 MLB Draft

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

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Rustan Rigdon, Hudson Barton to play for Vanderbilt baseball after not getting drafted