Why Vanderbilt baseball pitcher Nick Maldonado returned for his senior season

Nick Maldonado was a projected MLB draft pick the last two seasons but the right-handed pitcher returned to Vanderbilt baseball.

This time, Maldonado, a senior and one of the most experienced pitchers on the Commodores' staff, returned in part because of family ties. His younger brother, infielder Chris Maldonado, had committed to Clemson but flipped to Vanderbilt after the Tigers' coach was fired. Though Maldonado said he didn't directly influence his brother's decision, the opportunity to be on the same team was a major factor.

"(Chris) worked hard in high school and he was a late bloomer, but he he just kept to his journey and everything worked out for him," Maldonado said Friday. "This was always his dream school to come to. I guess I played a role in that coming here, but no, everything worked out for him."

After having a 2.31 ERA and nine saves as Vanderbilt's primary closer in 2021, Maldonado struggled in 2022 after missing six weeks early in the season with an oblique injury. He finished with a 3.96 ERA in 13 appearances and four starts.

Maldonado says he is fully healthy going into 2023. With experience both starting and closing, he doesn't yet have a defined role.

"Being able to be back here and be healthy is is a huge thing," Maldonado said. "But Chris was definitely a big factor in that, having him come here. It's very rare to get to play with a younger brother ... it's something that you can't really trade for anything."

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Vanderbilt pitching staff fully healthy

During coach Tim Corbin's first preseason press conference Friday, he said that no one on the pitching staff had long-term injuries. Seven of the 17 pitchers did not pitch in the fall, but all of them are throwing now, Corbin said.

"Everyone's pitching," Corbin said. "So from a health standpoint, you know, knock on something."

Corbin said he wasn't sure if right-hander Michael Doolin, who has missed the last two seasons after two elbow surgeries, would be ready for the start of the season, but he is expected to pitch sometime in the spring. Outfielder Troy LaNeve, who had shoulder surgery in the offseason, is also questionable for the start of the season.

As is typical, Corbin wouldn't name a weekend rotation or tip his hand as to who is in play for the starting pitching slots, but he said about half the staff members are training as starters while the rest are preparing strictly as relievers.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nick Maldonado: Vanderbilt baseball pitcher returns for senior season