Nick Mingione putting in work
After the program’s historic 2024 season that ended with its first-ever College World Series appearance, Kentucky baseball came back to earth in 2025. It was a streaky campaign — a 10-game winning run here, followed by four separate skids of at least four losses. The Bat Cats ultimately finished 31–26, but still fought their way to a regional final before twice surrendering a lead to West Virginia.
Despite the inconsistency, head coach Nick Mingione’s first priority this offseason was simple: keep the core intact. Mission accomplished. Star shortstop Tyler Bell, left-hander Ben Cleaver, outfielder Ryan Schwartz, and right-hander Nate Harris all stayed in Lexington — no small feat in the age of the transfer portal.
Then came the reinforcements. According to 64Analytics, Kentucky’s 13-player transfer portal class ranked No. 8 nationally. The headliners include Scott Campbell, a First-Team Big South outfielder from USC Upstate who hit .388 with 11 home runs, and Indiana transfer Tyler Cerny, one of the top infielders available. On the mound, Connor Mattison (Grand Canyon) joins a group of eight new pitchers that will give Kentucky one of the deeper bullpens in the SEC.
Kentucky baseball Transfer Portal class:
RHP Burkley Bounds (Eastern Kentucky), RHP Jack Bennett (Western Kentucky), RHP Bryson Treichel (North Florida), RHP Ryan Mullan (Loyola Marymount), INF Tyler Cerny (Indiana), RHP Connor Mattison (Grand Canyon), C Alex Duffey (Elon), RHP Ira Austin (New Orleans), OF Scott Campbell (USC Upstate), LHP Jackson Soucie (South Carolina), C Tagger Tyson (Louisville), RHP Will Pryor (Belmont), OF Jayce Tharnish (St. Bonaventure).
The high school class also landed in the national spotlight, ranked No. 21 by Perfect Game. Catcher Owen Jenkins (No. 28 nationally) headlines the group after spurning the pros to play in Lexington. While Kentucky lost three top draftees — Joshua Flores (Brewers), Conor Essenburg (Braves), and Jase Mitchell (Astros) — the Cats retained enough talent to believe another Omaha run is possible.
The question now: can Mingione’s mix of proven veterans, high-impact transfers, and blue-chip freshmen produce the consistency needed to navigate the SEC gauntlet and make a return trip to the game’s biggest stage in 2026?