For college baseball programs, roster management is a crucial part of building a winning team. Currently, NCAA Division I teams can have up to 40 scholarship players on their roster, but starting in the 2025–26 season, that number will be reduced to 34.
To get a real-world example of how teams are structured, let’s break down the Kentucky Wildcats’ 2024 baseball roster, separating pitchers from position players.
Kentucky Baseball Roster Breakdown (2024 Season)
📌 Total Players: 49 (Above the current 40-player cap, ncluding redshirts and walk-ons)
📌 Upcoming Roster Cap (2025-26): 34 players max
Pitchers (24) – The Core of the Staff
Pitching depth is key in college baseball, with teams carrying a mix of starters, relievers, and closers. Kentucky currently has 24 pitchers:
- Right-Handed Pitchers (RHP): 16
- Left-Handed Pitchers (LHP): 8
Notable arms include:
✅ Jaxon Jelkin (RHP, 6-5, 195 lbs.) – Redshirt Junior with strong experience
✅ Robert Hogan (RHP, 6-0, 195 lbs.) – Senior transfer from Texas A&M
✅ Jackson Nove (LHP, 6-5, 230 lbs.) – Senior southpaw with imposing size
Position Players (25) – The Everyday Contributors
Position players include infielders, outfielders, catchers, and utility players, each bringing versatility to the lineup.
- Infielders (INF): 9
- Outfielders (OF): 6
- Catchers (C): 4
- Utility Players (UT): 6
Standout names:
✅ Devin Burkes (C, 6-3, 215 lbs.) – Veteran leader behind the plate
✅ Ethan Hindle (INF, 6-1, 200 lbs.) – Promising sophomore infielder
✅ Shaun Montoya (OF, 6-0, 180 lbs.) – Senior with speed and range in the outfield
The Impact of NCAA’s 34-Player Roster Limit
Starting in 2025-26, rosters will shrink to 34 players, meaning teams like Kentucky will have to cut down on depth. The biggest impacts could include:
🔹 Fewer developmental players & redshirts
🔹 Tighter competition for roster spots
🔹 More emphasis on two-way players (like OF/RHP Khaleel Pratt)
Coaches will have to adjust their recruiting and roster strategies to maximize talent under the new limit. The Cats will probably lose more position players than pitchers because pitching is always skewed as more important. An underperforming hitter may get more playing time because of the reduction.
Final Thoughts
A college baseball roster is carefully structured to balance pitching depth, defensive strength, and offensive firepower. Kentucky’s current squad exceeds the future roster cap, meaning changes are on the horizon as programs prepare for the NCAA’s new 34-player rule.
How will teams adapt? The 2025-26 season will bring a new era of roster management in college baseball.