Kentucky
Head Coach: Nick Mingione
2021 Record: 29-23 (12-18)
Strengths: Kentucky has worked hard to improve its defense in the last two years, and now it might be one of the best defensive clubs in the country, led by two standout defenders on the left side of the infield (SS Ryan Ritter and 3B Chase Estep) and a very talented catcher (Alonzo Rubalcaba). The offense should be plenty capable after getting a boost from the addition of four quality D-I transfers. And the rotation has a chance to be a strength as well with four power arms who just need to harness their potential.
Question Marks: The pitching staff is talented but has a lot of room for improvement after ranking 12th in the SEC with a 4.93 ERA last year. A big key is whether RHP Zack Lee and Madgiel Cotto can translate their huge raw stuff into consistent productivity, and whether transfer Tyler Bosma can make a seamless transition from Miami (Ohio) to the SEC. There’s also a lack of experience in the everyday lineup, with just two returning hitters who have a significant number of SEC at-bats under their belts.
Star Power: Ritter is the most talented defensive shortstop in America, a human highlight reel who can make all the plays and takes good care of the baseball. He’s also made dramatic offensive improvements since arriving as a juco transfer in the fall of 2020, and his strong performance on the Cape and in fall ball (when he hit over .400) portend big things to come this spring. Cole Stupp was the Friday night starter a year ago and held his own against some of the league’s biggest stars, including Vandy’s Kumar Rocker and MSU’s Will Bednar. His velocity ticked up into the 90-93 range this fall, and his changeup is devastating. He should improve mightily upon last year’s 4.76 ERA and be one of the SEC’s better aces.
Glue Guys: Rubalcaba is a major key to the defense, with excellent catch-and-throw skills and an advanced ability to handle the pitching staff. He missed much of last season due to injury, but having him healthy again is huge in 2022. Arizona State transfer Hunter Jump is a mature hitter with a knack for finding the barrel and churning out quality at-bats, making him an important cog in the lineup. 1B Jake Plastiak, Ritter, Stupp and veteran reliever Daniel Harper are the leaders on this club.
Pick to Click: This team is brimming with breakout candidates looking to build off encouraging summers and falls. The switch-hitting Plastiak is one, after leading the Draft League in homers last summer. Estep made a big jump offensively in the fall, leading the team in extra-base hits and homers. Lee and Cotto both made progress with their command and pitchability in the fall, giving them both chances to be high draft picks and impact SEC starters.
Top Newcomers: Jump and hulking Hawaii transfer Adam Fogel both established themselves in the fall as two of the team’s better hitters; they are mature players who should have no trouble adjusting to the SEC. The step up is steeper for CF John Thrasher, who hit .369 with 7 homers and 37 steals at Hartford last year, but if he can adjust to the level of competition then his speed gives him a lot of value. On the mound, Cotto pitched at 93-96 and touched 97 in the fall from the left side. But Kentucky’s best pitcher in the fall was Eastern Kentucky transfer Darren Williams, who owns a quality four-pitch mix including a 91-94 fastball. He could pitch in any role UK needs him to fill. Another EKU transfer, Daniel Harris IV, is another mature veteran hitter who should add depth to the lineup.
Outlook: Kentucky was only an SEC win or two away from serious bubble consideration last year, and this roster looks deeper and more versatile. If the talented arms can harness their full potential and the transfers in the lineup settle in and handle the SEC grind, this team has Top 25 upside. But those are legitimate question marks.
