Well, the season ended last night in the worst way possible, so I am going to channel my depression into looking into next year. Transfer portal apparently opened today so we might see some big changes happen somewhat quickly. Regardless, here is how things look for 2026 as we sit right now. Please note that I am not going to include incoming freshmen on the list at this time because we might need to wait and see what happens with the draft to be sure they'll be on campus. However, I may mention them in the write-ups.
C: Nolan Belcher / Alex Duffey
1B: James McCoy / Hudson Brown / Dylan Koontz
2B: Luke Lawrence
SS: Tyler Bell
3B: Kyuss Gargett / Aidan Larkin / Ethan Hindle / Tyler Cerny
RF: Ryan Schwartz
CF: Carson Hansen / Griffin Cameron / Will Marcy
LF: Khaleel Pratt
**Note: If scratched out, these players have entered the transfer portal**
By all reports, Schwartz will stay in the outfield. So, UK will need a lot of help there with Belcher in the portal. Owen Jenkins is a recruit from KY (Lex Cath) that UK landed and is a top 50 prospect. His draft decision could have an impact on thie catcher position and what happens with Schwartz. Jase Mitchell is out of Deleware and is a top 400 prospect at catcher and could provide some depth. I don't think he'd necessarily be in line to start, but crazier things have happened. Regardless, UK will need to add someone to the team from the portal to fit in here to at least compete for the starting spot.
As we can see, there are two big holes to fill. Personally, I think Hansen strikes me a little less as a centerfielder and a bit more as a left fielder. He can play any outfield spot, but I just don't think he's a true CF. So, UK could look to get an upgrade at CF and slide Hansen to left. Cameron is a speedy guy with solid defense, but hitting .232 this year doesn't leave a lot of room for comfort in him sliding into a starting spot. However, Cameron is really just in his first full year this season, so we could see that average tick up as he gets more experience. Regardless, CF could be a priority in the transfer portal. Braxton Van Cleave is another prep prospect that could be coming to campus in 2025/2026 and he's ranked as high as 63rd overall. He's 6'3 205, so he is a pretty good sized kid already. He could slide into any OF position. Again, a portion of this problem will depend on the catcher position. Will UK move Schwartz back or keep him in OF? Will Jenkins make it to campus or head to the pros? Then you have whether or not Van Cleave (who is out of Texas btw) makes it to campus.
I think third base is the remaining question mark. There is some depth there, but Larkin redshirted and is unproven and might not slot to be a 3B. Gargett hit .266 this year, but he's not really a power guy. So, does UK want to find more power in this position or are they good with having a bit more speed with a guy like Gargett who has a solid glove? Gargett could take a step forward in the hitting department now that he's gained more experience. Hindle mostly was at DH this season as I recall but came in as a SS/3B prospect. He had 3 homers this year, but hit just .224. Still, he might give that good balance of HR power and speed (11 for 11 on stolen bags). Not sure how the glove projects, but he's an option. Caeden Cloud could make it to campus as a 6'0 190 pound HS senior he is ranked 131 or so overall. Cloud is move of a SS apparentyl, but with Bell being at SS, Cloud might need to move over to 3B to see time in 2026. UK could also upgrade here through the transfer portal.
Starters:
Friday: Jaxon Jelkin
Saturday: Ethan Walker
Sunday: Ben Cleaver
By all accounts, Jelkin was slated to be the ace this season before injury so if he recovers well enough he might slide into that Friday slot, or UK could try to go Left, Right, Left and have him go Saturday. Either way, I think these are the three that we see. Nate Harris is also a candidate here. If he doesn't get into this role then I imagine UK will try to use him as a 1-2 punch where someone like Jelkin will go 5 or 6 and Harris will then pitch out the rest of the game, which will save the bullpen arms. They did this setup quite a bit in the past. They could also have Harris pitching the midweek, but I think he's a bit too valuable at this point for that. Instead, the midweek could fall to a number of candidates, one of them being incoming freshman Conor Essenberg. Essenberg is a top 100 prospect and a two way player who can play 1B or OF as well as being a lefty pitcher. Still, it seems like he projects a bit more at pitcher than at the plate (I could be wrong there though). If he makes it to campus, I imagine that he won't really be a redshirt candidate and that UK will want to use him, so a midweek starter role to begin the year could be the spot.
I think relief pitchers is where we will see the most turnover both incoming and outgoing. UK has a tendency to like older pitchers out of the bullpen and to be a bit selective on who they use as young guys. So, I think UK might try to upgrade here and find some new faces that will be able to come in immediately and contribute and with that happening it will inevitably push others out. Here is the list of returning possible relievers:
Hayden Smith - Will be a RS Jr. Pitched 10.1 innings. Could see his use increase if he takes some steps forward in the off season.
Adam Hachman - Will be a RS So. He was at Arky in 2024 where he redshirted. This year he did not pitch for UK and I am assuming it was due to injury. Was a top 55 prospect in 2023 and the 8th best lefty in the class. I imagine if he is healthy and sticks around that he'll get a good bit of use in 2026.
Tommy Skelding - RS So next year and will get a lot of use. Had 19+ innings pitched this year, and we could see that go up a good bit as he progresses.
Chase Alderman - RS Jr (I think) that spent 2 years at EKU. Had a UCL injury in 2024 at EKU and he redshirted, but he also didn't play this year. Not sure if he hasn't recovered or what. Might be a transfer candidate.
Cameron Owens - Redshirted this year. Not sure I see a roster spot for him in 2026.
Oliver Boone - Transfer from Cal but redshirted 2025 due to injury. Had a really strong freshman year. He's a west coast guy, so could see him moving on, but there is some potential there if he stays.
Logan Grubb - Sophomore. He pitched just two times this season so I think he can maybe call it a redshirt year. Had 2 walks and 3 strikeouts in 1.1 innings of scoreless work. Playing as a freshy is a bit deal.
Zak Spurrier - Just 4 appearances for Spurrier this year, so also might be a RS freshman or a true sophomore. Struggled in his appearances with the worst ERA on the team, but that happens to freshmen.
Bradley Ferrell - Another freshman that had limited time this season with 1 appearance. Just 1 inning of work and a 9.00 ERA. Top 200 prospect.
Leighton Harris - Sophomore. Most used true freshman this past year with 12.1 innings pitched. Solid performance with just a 3.65 ERA. Look for him to be really sore after next year and how often he'll be used.
Tristan Hunter - My understanding is that he's already jumped into the transfer portal. Pitched in 9 games this past year, a top 220 prospect a year ago.
Nile Adcock - Senior. Will be leaned on heavily if he can lower the batting average against (.351). Kid has great control with 6 walks and 24 Ks, but that average against is just nasty high.
Transfers IN:
Burkley Bounds - Had a strong freshman year at EKU and is transferring in to UK. 6'2 righty from Lexington pitched 41 innings with 2 starts and had a 4.17 ERA striking out 39 and walking 14.
Kaden Echeman - 6'0 190 pound grad transfer in 2026, pitched for NKU this past season. Threw 56 innings striking out 87 and walking walking 23 and carrying a 4.34 ERA. Elite strikeout numbers has Echeman as a solid MLB prospect, so we might not see him as a Cat next year.
Bryson Treichel - Transfer from North Florida was a freshman last year that made the Freshman All ASUN team. Threw just under 62 innings with 15 appearances and 14 starts. Had 74 strikeouts to just 24 walks. He is a 6'2 184 pound righty, so has some room to put on some weight and up the velo.
Jack Bennett - Starter at WKU will have one more year to pitch in college baseball. Also a 6'2 righty, he had a 3.13 ERA last year through 63 innings with 14 appearances, all starts. Strikeout numbers don't pop out at you with just 49 to 20 walks. Still, should compete for a weekend spot.
Ryan Mullan - Pitched at Loyola Marymount in 2023 and 2024, but had TJ surgery and missed 2025. In 2024 he was one of the best pitchers in the WCC and threw a league leading 35 times, throwing 45 innings striking out 49 and walking just 18. Also limited the long ball to just 2 times in those 45 innings.
Connor Mattison - Transfer from Grand Canyon. Will be a junior in 2026. Played in 11 games and started 5 in 2025 and had a 5.40 ERA. Struck out 41 in 33 innings and walked just 10. Had 5 home runs against him, so want to see those numbers drop some, along with hitters hitting .275 against him. He is a righty. Also has the ability to go longer into games, as a freshman he started 13 of 15 games and threw 60 innings, including a no-hittter.
If there is anything or anyone I have missed, please let me know and we can adjust and add on throughout the process of the off season.
