Aria Gerson
@aria-gerson.bsky.social
Vanderbilt and college baseball for Tennessean/USA TODAY Network | Big Ten baseball sicko | Lover of spreadsheets, collector of minor league t-shirts, hater of replay
📧agerson@gannett.com
🐦aria_gerson
📷agersonsports
📧agerson@gannett.com
🐦aria_gerson
📷agersonsports
First real cold day of the year means I went out in my coat, remembered why I don’t like wearing my coat, literally left it in my car and braved walking inside in just my sweater then vowed to switch back to my trusty sherpa jacket 😭
November 10, 2025 at 9:46 PM
First real cold day of the year means I went out in my coat, remembered why I don’t like wearing my coat, literally left it in my car and braved walking inside in just my sweater then vowed to switch back to my trusty sherpa jacket 😭
it’s funny to me that the Phillies have drafted two Vanderbilt players ever and the other one was in 2002 considering how similar the traits they both target are on both the pitching and hitting side
I wrote about a system so thin I started making Dr. Seuss jokes instead of trying to ordinally rank the 5th round sixth year college senior closer against the 4th round up and down bench outfielder in the teens www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/ar...
2026 Prospects: Philadelphia Phillies Top Prospects | Baseball Prospectus
Top-heavy is a common descriptor for farm systems, but it's truer here than in most places.
www.baseballprospectus.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:48 PM
it’s funny to me that the Phillies have drafted two Vanderbilt players ever and the other one was in 2002 considering how similar the traits they both target are on both the pitching and hitting side
I’m surprised this isn’t brought up more with Tucker, but my biggest concern wouldn’t be that “he doesn’t have elite bat speed” per se. It’s this: significant decline over the last 3 years in EV, sprint speed, defense, arm strength.
That coupled with the injuries is scary
That coupled with the injuries is scary
November 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I’m surprised this isn’t brought up more with Tucker, but my biggest concern wouldn’t be that “he doesn’t have elite bat speed” per se. It’s this: significant decline over the last 3 years in EV, sprint speed, defense, arm strength.
That coupled with the injuries is scary
That coupled with the injuries is scary
I have never once noticed or cared if a grocery store employee smiled at me (in fact I usually try not to interact with employees as much as possible lol)
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
Target is now requiring its employees to smile more
As the holiday season fast approaches, Target is urging its employees to add a little more “jolly” to their work routine.
www.wilx.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I have never once noticed or cared if a grocery store employee smiled at me (in fact I usually try not to interact with employees as much as possible lol)
I can buy a wool blend sweater AND a pair of jeans from one of the semi-upscale stores in the mall for that price 😭😭
One Hundered and seventy five goddamn dollars what are you smoking homefield?
November 7, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I can buy a wool blend sweater AND a pair of jeans from one of the semi-upscale stores in the mall for that price 😭😭
Real ones know that Vandy has five potential instant impact arms on its roster this year 👀
Jack Bauer cemented himself as the hardest-throwing prep lefthander of all-time after touching 102 mph.
And he hasn't slowed down 👀
He's eclipsed triple-digits in both of Mississippi State's scrimmages.
Bauer is one of 10 freshman in line for impact roles: buff.ly/cNm2sv6
And he hasn't slowed down 👀
He's eclipsed triple-digits in both of Mississippi State's scrimmages.
Bauer is one of 10 freshman in line for impact roles: buff.ly/cNm2sv6
November 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Real ones know that Vandy has five potential instant impact arms on its roster this year 👀
How exactly were the coaching staffs expecting this to work? There was basically no chance this ended any other way 😭
Alec Blair signed with Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete, but just one game into the Sooners' basketball season, he has left the team to focus on baseball.
The 6-foot-7 G/F/CF was the No. 52 prospect in this year's MLB Draft but went undrafted, as he was intent on playing both sports in college.
The 6-foot-7 G/F/CF was the No. 52 prospect in this year's MLB Draft but went undrafted, as he was intent on playing both sports in college.
Freshman Alec Blair leaves Oklahoma basketball to focus on baseball
Alec Blair signed with Oklahoma as a two-sport athlete, but after just one game with the Sooners basketball team has decided to focus solely on baseball.
247sports.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
How exactly were the coaching staffs expecting this to work? There was basically no chance this ended any other way 😭
the worst part of the college sports writer schedule is seeing your friends go home for the holidays while you're working (and even if you're not working, you learn your bowl assignment too late to get a reasonable price on travel), but tbh...maybe this is to my advantage this year
November 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM
the worst part of the college sports writer schedule is seeing your friends go home for the holidays while you're working (and even if you're not working, you learn your bowl assignment too late to get a reasonable price on travel), but tbh...maybe this is to my advantage this year
My random MLB offseason prediction: Kyle Tucker signs somewhere totally random that nobody is expecting. Astros, Rangers, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, a team of that ilk
November 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
My random MLB offseason prediction: Kyle Tucker signs somewhere totally random that nobody is expecting. Astros, Rangers, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, a team of that ilk
Jason Esposito was once a player frustrated that he needed to improve but lacked the tools to know how.
Now as the #VandyBoys hitting coach, he's bringing an approach from the pros to try to improve an offense that's fallen behind: www.tennessean.com/story/sports...
Now as the #VandyBoys hitting coach, he's bringing an approach from the pros to try to improve an offense that's fallen behind: www.tennessean.com/story/sports...
How new Vanderbilt baseball assistant Jason Esposito will use analytics to improve hitting
Jason Esposito, Vanderbilt baseball's new hitting coach, brings a data-driven approach after previously working in MLB for the Cleveland Guardians.
www.tennessean.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Jason Esposito was once a player frustrated that he needed to improve but lacked the tools to know how.
Now as the #VandyBoys hitting coach, he's bringing an approach from the pros to try to improve an offense that's fallen behind: www.tennessean.com/story/sports...
Now as the #VandyBoys hitting coach, he's bringing an approach from the pros to try to improve an offense that's fallen behind: www.tennessean.com/story/sports...
I remember having this conversation back in like 2017 and it made more sense then (even though the answer was always that he didn’t like the spotlight). By now, it’s simply the fact that Trout has played in 2.75 seasons worth of games in the last 6 years and isn’t an MVP level player anymore
Mike Trout is a generational MLB talent, a player who should have been plastered on Times Square billboards and cereal boxes.
But he's faded from the sport’s consciousness.
How?
But he's faded from the sport’s consciousness.
How?
November 5, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I remember having this conversation back in like 2017 and it made more sense then (even though the answer was always that he didn’t like the spotlight). By now, it’s simply the fact that Trout has played in 2.75 seasons worth of games in the last 6 years and isn’t an MVP level player anymore
It’s almost like it’s a good thing to have an organization that treats your players well so that they want to stay
Shane Bieber will opt-in to his deal with the Blue Jays for $16 million.
November 5, 2025 at 2:52 PM
It’s almost like it’s a good thing to have an organization that treats your players well so that they want to stay
In my market the Fubo sports extra plan is more expensive than YTTV + ESPN unlimited because of the RSN fee AND it doesn’t even have Turner (and I’m not an HBO Max subscriber). If this lasts until after my current month of YTTV lasts I might have to bite the bullet with Hulu even tho I don’t want to
If I have some time today, I'm gonna break out my charts and figure out what the move is for this weekend if YTTV cant get their shit together. As I've said before, CBSSN not being on Paramount really fucks us over as CFB fans.
Fubo + an HBO Max sub to get the Turner networks might be the play
Fubo + an HBO Max sub to get the Turner networks might be the play
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In my market the Fubo sports extra plan is more expensive than YTTV + ESPN unlimited because of the RSN fee AND it doesn’t even have Turner (and I’m not an HBO Max subscriber). If this lasts until after my current month of YTTV lasts I might have to bite the bullet with Hulu even tho I don’t want to
I do not understand the powder foundation trend at all. It’s so wasteful because you have to use SO much product and more ends up on the brush than your face. And then it just settles into pores and pills with a lot of blush/contour products. Why do people like this????
November 4, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I do not understand the powder foundation trend at all. It’s so wasteful because you have to use SO much product and more ends up on the brush than your face. And then it just settles into pores and pills with a lot of blush/contour products. Why do people like this????
This makes me sadder/madder than anything with Tucker, tbh
November 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This makes me sadder/madder than anything with Tucker, tbh
Mikayla Blakes is Mikayla Blakes even on an off shooting night, Vandy’s gamble on Aubrey Galvan seems to have paid off, two-big lineups worked to perfection and more we learned from the Vanderbilt women’s basketball season opener: www.tennessean.com/story/sports...
What we learned from Mikayla Blakes' 27 points in Vanderbilt women's basketball opening win
Here's what we learned from Vanderbilt women's basketball's season opener against Cal as Mikayla Blakes scored 27.
www.tennessean.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Mikayla Blakes is Mikayla Blakes even on an off shooting night, Vandy’s gamble on Aubrey Galvan seems to have paid off, two-big lineups worked to perfection and more we learned from the Vanderbilt women’s basketball season opener: www.tennessean.com/story/sports...
Someone tell people that there was a game 7 with a shocking, game-tying homer from a role player, extra innings, a pitcher escaping a jam in the clutch AND ALSO A RAIN DELAY, less than 10 years ago, and it also involved a team breaking a century-long drought instead of a superteam
November 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Someone tell people that there was a game 7 with a shocking, game-tying homer from a role player, extra innings, a pitcher escaping a jam in the clutch AND ALSO A RAIN DELAY, less than 10 years ago, and it also involved a team breaking a century-long drought instead of a superteam
Seeing it start to get dark at 4:30, knowing I will be woken up at 6 am (two hours before I want to be up) by light streaming into my room……it sucks!!!
November 2, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Seeing it start to get dark at 4:30, knowing I will be woken up at 6 am (two hours before I want to be up) by light streaming into my room……it sucks!!!
November 2, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Shout put to the dude at BNA wearing a Springer Astros jersey this morning. You’re a real one
November 2, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Shout put to the dude at BNA wearing a Springer Astros jersey this morning. You’re a real one
I’ve said a lot of this before but way too much Dodgers discourse veers too far into “People from NY and LA should automatically get nice things because they’re from NY and LA.”
You can tell when so many players + teams get ignored until there’s a possibility the player could be a Yankee or Dodger
You can tell when so many players + teams get ignored until there’s a possibility the player could be a Yankee or Dodger
November 2, 2025 at 4:39 AM
I’ve said a lot of this before but way too much Dodgers discourse veers too far into “People from NY and LA should automatically get nice things because they’re from NY and LA.”
You can tell when so many players + teams get ignored until there’s a possibility the player could be a Yankee or Dodger
You can tell when so many players + teams get ignored until there’s a possibility the player could be a Yankee or Dodger
Just gonna say this now: the Blue Jays are good for baseball. Their style of play, their payroll, their roster building strategy, the likability of their players. Everything about them should be aspirational to other MLB teams. But it’s overlooked bc ppl can’t stop losing their mind over the Dodgers
November 2, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Just gonna say this now: the Blue Jays are good for baseball. Their style of play, their payroll, their roster building strategy, the likability of their players. Everything about them should be aspirational to other MLB teams. But it’s overlooked bc ppl can’t stop losing their mind over the Dodgers
The latest in “hotel showers need to be stopped”: a shower that actually explicitly wrote out which way to turn the knob for hot water but canceled it out by making the button to switch from bath to shower underneath the knob and impossible to see until I kneeled down
November 1, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The latest in “hotel showers need to be stopped”: a shower that actually explicitly wrote out which way to turn the knob for hot water but canceled it out by making the button to switch from bath to shower underneath the knob and impossible to see until I kneeled down
I refuse to use either ERA or FIP for teams (I do for individuals) because team defense matters in run prevention! Runs allowed >>>
They’re just all hits. Accept it and use RA9
November 1, 2025 at 12:32 AM
I refuse to use either ERA or FIP for teams (I do for individuals) because team defense matters in run prevention! Runs allowed >>>
the thing with YouTube TV is that it is non-negotiable for work reasons that I need to have ESPN by Monday (and ideally by tomorrow, although I can go without as I will be at the game). But no other service really meets my needs as well as YTTV does, so I don't want to switch
October 31, 2025 at 4:36 PM
the thing with YouTube TV is that it is non-negotiable for work reasons that I need to have ESPN by Monday (and ideally by tomorrow, although I can go without as I will be at the game). But no other service really meets my needs as well as YTTV does, so I don't want to switch