Pine-Richland grad LaNeve improving with Vanderbilt baseball team

Troy LaNeve doesn’t like to put much weight into an at-bat that’s good or bad, but after his first collegiate home run for Vanderbilt in late March at Oklahoma State, he soaked in the moment.

“After the game was over and I was able to check my phone and read some text messages and it kind of set in how long of a ride it’s been and how much work went into it,” LaNeve said. “Getting that outcome was really special to me and a lot of people around me. I truly got to see the support I have. That was really awesome.”

It was a three-run homer that aided the Commodores’ win and provided validation for the Pine-Richland grad that he can produce at the highest level of college baseball.

After having his freshman season wiped out because of the covid-19 pandemic, LaNeve is working to get more opportunities to contribute while enjoying every experience he has with the Commodores, who were ranked No. 2 in the country by D1Baseball.com and Baseball America as of April 26.

LaNeve has appeared in 12 games and had a .250 batting average entering a weekend series with Florida that began April 30. He is working to improve every day, maintain confidence and keep an even keel in an environment he said is second to none.

“Everybody on this team is fighting for a spot, whether they play every day or not,” LaNeve said. “We’ve tried to build that environment from Day 1. Every training session and every practice is very competitive. Even on defense during batting practice everyone out there is laying out for every ball and trying to make big plays. I feel like that sets us apart.

“Every day we’re trying to get better even if it is competitive with each other. Everything we do has meaning behind it, even if it’s something little.

“The great thing about being here at this program is that everyone is really committed to it. Everyone has their own approach to hitting. I can sit down with anyone in our lineup and talk baseball for hours, because everyone has that same commitment and approach to wanting to get to the next level.”

Aside from the resources at Vanderbilt, LaNeve has a major one in his family in older brother Zac.

Zac started his college baseball career at North Carolina before playing at two junior colleges and finishing his career at IUP. LaNeve leans on his older brother for advice regularly.

“Having someone like him that I can go to pretty much at any time has been a major help throughout my two years in college,” LaNeve said. “He had to overcome a lot of adversity when playing in college. You can definitely learn a lot from someone like him. He’s been through a lot, and he’s made it through. Anytime confidence seems to dwindle, I have him in my corner as a resource, and that’s helped a ton.”

LaNeve plays with two of the top prospects in the upcoming MLB Draft: pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter. Both have been projected as the No. 1 overall pick to the Pittsburgh Pirates by various scouting services.

LaNeve has had an inside look at them the last two years at what makes them successful and a potential top pick.

“The best way to describe them is that they are both professional in everything they do,” LaNeve said. “They are at the top at what they do in college baseball at the moment, and it’s because of how they prepare.

“You can learn a lot from watching how they approach a start or really any day. They’re very committed to their craft. When they are going through their routine and when it’s their day to pitch, as a baseball player, it’s time to sit back and watch and learn. When Jack or Kumar get on the mound it’s like they are 10 steps ahead of everyone else on the field. There’s a confidence factor, but it’s the way they approach the game that sets them apart.

“I’ve joked around with both of them that if one of them goes to Pittsburgh they have a place to stay anytime they are in town. They’re impressive to watch, and I’m fortunate to have them on my team opposed to having to face them.”

The expectation is for Vanderbilt to make a run to Omaha for the College World Series. LaNeve is looking forward to the journey before he heads to Johnson City (Tenn.) to play summer ball in the newly formed Appalachian League.