The hits keep coming—unfortunately, not for Kentucky’s offense, but against the Wildcats' bullpen.
For all the promise this Kentucky baseball team has shown, a glaring issue threatens to unravel the season: pitching. Specifically, the bullpen, which has been nothing short of disastrous over the last few weeks. Combine that with some head-scratching decisions from head coach Nick Mingione, and you’ve got a team that’s now lost five one-run games this season.
And it’s not just about bad luck or a rough inning here and there. This is a trend.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s start with what’s going right: the starting rotation. Ben Cleaver (2.36 ERA, 3-1 record) and Nic McCay (3.44 ERA, 3-0) have anchored the staff with consistency and control. They’ve given the Wildcats every chance to win.
But after that? Chaos.
The bullpen ERA isn't terrible but the drop off of some pitchers is startling. Robert Hogan—who had a 3.10 ERA in 2024—now carries a 13.50 ERA through seven appearances. Nile Adcock (9.82 ERA), Simon Gregersen (7.62), and Ethan Walker (6.50) have all struggled to keep runners off base and runs off the board.
What’s worse is that opponents are hitting .279 against Kentucky pitching—up significantly from .239 last season.
Managerial Mischief
As much as the players deserve scrutiny, so does the man calling the shots. Mingione has made some truly puzzling bullpen moves. He’s had outings where he brings in a reliever for just one batter—only to immediately swap in another who promptly gives up the lead. It’s the kind of over-managing that disrupts rhythm and drains confidence.
There’s a fine line between strategic and sporadic. Right now, it feels like Kentucky’s bullpen decisions are made with a dartboard, not a plan.
Remember Last Year?
It’s a sharp contrast to last season, when bullpen arms like Johnny Hummel (3.48 ERA, .155 opponent batting average) and Hogan (40.2 IP, 42 strikeouts, .174 BAA) were shutdown options. This year, there’s no such safety net. Kentucky is giving up more walks (125), more long balls (29), and more big innings.
In 2024, UK pitchers combined for a 5.10 ERA. This season, they're barely holding that line, and most of the damage is happening late in games.
One-Run Heartbreaks Pile Up
The Wildcats have now lost five games by a single run—a brutal stat for a team that prides itself on resilience. When the margins are that thin, every walk, wild pitch, and ill-timed change matters.
And in this case, it’s all adding up to missed opportunities and mounting frustration.
What Has to Change?
Kentucky has the offensive firepower and enough starting pitching to compete in the SEC. But if the bullpen can’t find its form—or if Mingione can’t settle on a smarter strategy—it’s going to be a long, frustrating spring.
Here’s the reality: you can’t win close games when your relievers are walking batters, giving up bombs, and your manager is cycling through arms like it’s a spring training tryout.
For a team with postseason potential, something has to give—and soon.