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After a trip to Omaha where is Kentucky baseball ranked by Perfect Game USA?

ByDrew Holbrook|
Jun 19, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Kentucky Wildcats pitcher Johnny Hummel (49) and pitcher Cameron O'Brien (10) and teammates gather after the loss against the Florida Gators at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
Jun 19, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; Kentucky Wildcats pitcher Johnny Hummel (49) and pitcher Cameron O'Brien (10) and teammates gather after the loss against the Florida Gators at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

The Kentucky Wildcats baseball team etched their name in program history last season, reaching the College World Series in Omaha for the first time. And they didn't just get there. They won with a thrilling walk-off home run against NC State in the first round, a moment that will be replayed for years in the hearts of Big Blue Nation. Yet, as the 2025 season approaches, the Wildcats find themselves outside Perfect Game USA's preseason Top 25 rankings, a snub that has left fans feeling like Rodney Dangerfield—no respect.

Kentucky’s exclusion from the rankings is surprising but not entirely unjustified given the significant turnover in their roster. The Wildcats lost ace Trey Pooser, who signed with an MLB team following his stellar season. Pooser was the backbone of Kentucky’s pitching staff, posting a 2.93 ERA and leading the team in strikeouts.



The bullpen also took a hit, with several key relievers leaving for the professional ranks. On the offensive side, Nolan McCarthy, a standout player who batted .320 and delivered in clutch moments, entered the transfer portal, leaving a noticeable void in the lineup.



These departures have left head coach Nick Mingione with a challenge: rebuilding a roster capable of competing in the SEC, widely regarded as the toughest conference in college baseball.

Preseason Rankings Raise Eyebrows


Despite last year’s success, Perfect Game USA omitted Kentucky from their preseason Top 25 rankings, adding fuel to the fire for fans who feel the Wildcats deserve more respect. For context, Kentucky finished the 2024 season ranked in the top eight nationally after their Omaha appearance and posted a 40-21 record.

Other rankings, including those from Baseball America and USA Today, have yet to be released, but the snub from Perfect Game has set a concerning tone.

Despite the losses, the Wildcats have returning talent that could surprise their doubters. Key players will need to be found amidst a promising crop of freshmen, bringing hope for the upcoming campaign.

Additionally, Mingione’s track record of developing competitive teams in the SEC suggests Kentucky won’t stay under the radar for long.


For Big Blue Nation, the snub serves as a reminder of Kentucky baseball’s continued struggle for respect in the shadow of its more storied basketball program. However, if last year proved anything, it’s that the Wildcats thrive as underdogs.

The season ahead offers Kentucky a chance to silence the critics and prove their Omaha trip was no fluke. For now, they’ll embrace the challenge, fueled by the mantra of earning respect one game at a time.

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