Matt Conte withdraws from 2026 MLB Draft to join Vanderbilt
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 11, 2026, 12:16 AM
Last updated Jul 11, 2026
Matt Conte, a catcher who previously played for Wake Forest, has withdrawn from the 2026 MLB Draft and will instead play for Vanderbilt University. Conte was a draft-eligible sophomore and the primary catcher for the Demon Deacons, where he batted.274 with 12 home runs in the 2026 season. His decision means he will forgo the draft, where he was projected to be a 10th-round pick. Vanderbilt has other draft-eligible players but neither of his fellow transfers, Dominic Monaco and Niko Brini, is expected to be selected. The MLB Draft begins today.
- •Conte ranked No. 21 in the transfer portal by Baseball America.
- •He started 35 games behind the plate for Wake Forest.
- •Conte recorded 12 doubles, two triples, and 12 home runs in 2026.
- •Vanderbilt has multiple current players and signees eligible for the draft.
- 12:16 AMYahoo Sports — Matt Conte, Vanderbilt baseball transfer commit, withdrawing from 2026 MLB Draft
"Matt Conte, a Vanderbilt baseball transfer commit from Wake Forest, withdrew from the 2026 MLB Draft to play for the Commodores.
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