Kentucky Baseball 2022
- Thread starter Comebakatz3
- Start date
Apparently throws mid-90s. Is a lefty. Appeared in 8 games, pitched about 8 innings and had an 8.31 ERA.
Yep. Sounds right. Has some good tools. Could be a big asset if he continues to develop. Often a big jump from freshman to sophomore years.
Develop😂😂😂😂😂. Came to the wrong place for that!!!!!!!
Any updates you can share about the five additional players who were considering entering the portal?
I think one or two decided against it, but are highly likely to to pro and not return to UK.
I'm guessing this must be Anu and/or Rhodes because I can't come up with anyone else who is draft eligible and would be selected high enough to consider signing Am I on the right track?
I can only update that most won’t be back and they were begged not to enter the portal because of the look it was going to put on the coaching staff and program.
Bosma was the Saturday guy for them as a sophomore - behind Sam Bachman who is a first rounder this year. These highlights are from his freshman and sophomore year (transferring out, so they probably won't make a JR year film).
Never mind…I just read Derek Terry’s Twitter post in him. Good player at Hartford but that’s a long way from SEC. Mining OVC level kids isn’t going to help you get to Omaha.
Derek Terry at 247 has a good article on the team. Hunter Jump addition was news to me but maybe I overlooked it being posted at some point.
Haven't heard Jump either I don't think. Pretty crazy. Maybe he'll be a reverse Jason Kipnis? Haha
At least it seems like UK has a starting LF and CF who actually play those positions lol.
Rhodes will be interesting if he’s really setting his number around 1M. That is around pick 67 in the draft. Teams usually take a senior or two in the top 10 rounds to sign under slot to have wiggle room to go over slot on a pick(s). But if he falls out of the top 100 selections, it could be tough for a team to sign him. Granted, he could be fine with a less amount once drafted and just putting it out there for negotiation reasons.
Jump is an interesting story. He originally went to Arizona State as a freshman and started 21 games. So, he was clearly a major part of their team as he hit .370 overall in 36 total games. Then he went JUCO for a year. I don’t know if he had some grade issues or what, but he worked his way back to Arizona State as a Junior in 2020 and was killing it with a .317 average and led the Pac-12 in doubles in the short year. This season he hit .289 with a couple home runs, and 17 doubles. He started all 53 games. Doesn’t seem like he is huge on power or speed as he had 0 stolen bases on the year and just those 2 home runs, but seems like he has gap power with the doubles. Clearly the guy is talented, but I’m kind of curious why he’s deciding to leave Arizona State again. Oddly, he was in the transfer portal for them in 2020 as well. So, just seems really weird that he doesn’t seem stable. I also wonder what kind of MLB draft prospects he has. I mean… guy has raked in college baseball, at least for average, so I don’t know why he wouldn’t at least be considered as a draft prospect. I guess it is possible that he doesn’t feel like he’s getting enough attention at ASU, but that is a baseball powerhouse and I’d think he’d get plenty of looks there. Also find it interesting that this one has been so quiet… I mean, he’s not some pushover… he’s played major P5 baseball and has hit extremely well in it. Just the whole thing seems strange to me. Also... I think he has a brother that is a 2021 prospect, Gage Jump, that is UCLA committed, but is a top 50 draft pick. I don’t know that they are brothers, but they share a unique last name and seem to be from the same area in California, so seems likely.
I think Rhodes is gone and I think Schultz is gone. There are some things going on behind the scenes that make me believe that Rhodes is going pro regardless. I know less about Schultz, but I think he leaves regardless as well. I think they take whatever money they can get and they don’t worry about it too much. I think had one or both of those entered into the portal then Mingione’s job might have been at a higher risk of jeopardy. Not sure what them leaving as drafted prospects will do, but I feel like it is probably too late at this point and we’ll have another year of the Mingione era.
Also, still haven’t heard anything about who our new volunteer assistant/hitting coach will be.
Yea Mingione will be here. Schultz I agree is gone. Do hold out hope Rhodes thinks he can get back into top 50, or even first round talks, with a good season next year and make money by sticking around. But I’m with you, I’d lean more likely gone but probably one to follow on when he gets drafted.
I think Rhodes is likely to understand that UK could be pretty poor in 2022 and if UK is worse then it will be hard for him to overcome and improve his stock. Just part of it being that UK could struggle at the plate in 2022 and if they do, he might see fewer pitches to hit and end up with a worse draft position.
I think anything is possible, but it seems most likely that he goes. Also, like I said... I think that there are some indicators that this is what is going to happen.
I think we’ve picked up a couple good kids from the portal but replacing Kessler’s production will be tough. I’m anxious to see what Rhodes does.
By the way, Cam Hill has now taken John Rhodes spot in the Cape Cod League with the Cotuit Ketleers.
I could be wrong, but I think that Rhodes leaving the Cape is a strong indication that he's moving on to professional baseball given the chance and that he's spoken with his advisors and they believe he'll have that soon.
I could be wrong, but I think that Rhodes leaving the Cape is a strong indication that he's moving on to professional baseball given the chance and that he's spoken with his advisors and they believe he'll have that soon.
Last ranking I saw was Rhodes was either side of 130. That would be 4th or 5th round making it unlikely he returns.
Derek Terry thought he may return but I agree with you guys that he’s gone, especially if he goes in the 4th round.
Nah, doesn't really work that way. Only so many per university, but it's not a guaranteed spot for that school.
Hill gad a contract with them at one point and has a connection to the team from having previously played for them. So, the opening occurred and I imagine that they reached out to him to see if he'd fill it.
What happened to Anu going there? Seems like they would've taken him over Hill since he's leaving UK.
I am not entirely sure what is up with Anu. However, my guess is this:
It is my understanding that Anu and Hill were both told around the end of the season that they had to be enrolled in graduate school in order to play in the Cape Cod League. At that point, neither of them were. Anu may not have enrolled in graduate school, which would not make him eligible to play in the Cape.
Still, I think it is really just coincidental that this involves 2 UK players. Had another player left the Cotuit team, Hill may have still gotten a chance to take a roster spot because he'd already signed a contract with them, was known by the coaches, etc. It just so happened that the one that left early was Rhodes.
I wanted to take a touch of a deeper dive into some of the transfers we're getting.
John Thrasher - OF from Hartford was the American East POTY after hitting .369 overall and stealing the second most bases in college baseball. These numbers popped to me, so I wanted to look more into how Thrasher might have done against better competition than the American East. There I learned that the AE did not play outside of conference this season. So, it is hard to put your finger on how good he is. He only played 36 games and still stole 37 bases, which means he had over 1 per game. The only player even close. So, still hard to tell how good he can or will be. What will also be interesting is that he might get drafted. I don't know how you hit .369 in a season and lead the nation in steals per game while also hitting 7 dingers and don't at least get a look. So, Thrasher has a decision if he is drafted... go pro and bank off the great year he had or try to prove himself in the SEC and possibly skyrocket his stock if he can get close to similar output. We will see what happens, I imagine he goes kind of late, but might get thrown enough money to take it.
Hunter Jump - OF from Arizona State. Another I am scratching my head about in regards to his MLB draft status. He hit remarkably well everywhere he has been. In 3 years at Arizona State (although his only full year is this one) he hit .328 in 335 at bats. The average didn't drop a ton in conference play this season as he hit .289 overall and .283 in conference play. Not a huge power threat, but hits doubles for days. Had 17 on the year, which is top 100 in the nation. Have to really like Jump and again, I kind of wonder what is up with him jumping around all the time... he went to ASU, went JUCO and then back to ASU and now he is going to UK. Just don't understand why he'd leave a starting OF position on an NCAA tournament team and another instance of me wondering why he doesn't have much MLB interest. Still, this could be good for UK as he does seem like the real deal.
Tyler Bosma - LHP from Miami (OH). Was a starter for the Redhawks. Redhawks had an excellent pitching staff with their ace pitcher going in the top 10 of the MLB draft last night. Bosma overall had a 3.95 ERA, but Miami (OH) doesn't play the toughest schedule in the world. The two best teams Bosma faced were probably Ball State and Central Michigan. Against CMU he went 5 and gave up 2 earned runs, striking out 6 walking 2 and hitting 2, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits. Against Ball State he went just 2 innings and gave up one earned run on 1 hit with a couple walks. Seemingly had some control issues that day.
Darren Williams - A RHP from EKU. Started for them and pitched 10 starts in OVC play with a 3.43 ERA in 65.2 innings of work. He pitched against GA Tech to start the year and went 5 innings and gave up 2 earned runs on 5 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts. Outside of that, I'm not sure he faced any other really solid teams. Still, he was their ace and he at least seems to have some respectable stuff.
Tyler Guilifoil - Served as a closer for Lipscomb. Had a 3.25 ERA overall and had 5 saves in 17 appearances with 36 innings pitched. So, he was used pretty heavily even if he wasn't in save situations. Went 3-1 and opponents hit just .214 against him. Numbers get a bit higher in conference play. Went 2.1 innings against UGA and held them scoreless in a close game. Gave up 2 hits, 2 walks and had a strikeout. Also threw a scoreless and hitless inning against Auburn just a few days later, getting a strikeout to go with that. I don't think they considered him a true shut down guy as they didn't use him in some of the biggest spots. For instance, when they beat Tennessee 4-0 he did not appear in the game. That might have been for other reasons, but if available, I would have expected him to pitch there. Might be nothing, but it is interesting. Should be a pretty solid spot relief guy, but I wouldn't expect him to be dominant.
John Thrasher - OF from Hartford was the American East POTY after hitting .369 overall and stealing the second most bases in college baseball. These numbers popped to me, so I wanted to look more into how Thrasher might have done against better competition than the American East. There I learned that the AE did not play outside of conference this season. So, it is hard to put your finger on how good he is. He only played 36 games and still stole 37 bases, which means he had over 1 per game. The only player even close. So, still hard to tell how good he can or will be. What will also be interesting is that he might get drafted. I don't know how you hit .369 in a season and lead the nation in steals per game while also hitting 7 dingers and don't at least get a look. So, Thrasher has a decision if he is drafted... go pro and bank off the great year he had or try to prove himself in the SEC and possibly skyrocket his stock if he can get close to similar output. We will see what happens, I imagine he goes kind of late, but might get thrown enough money to take it.
Hunter Jump - OF from Arizona State. Another I am scratching my head about in regards to his MLB draft status. He hit remarkably well everywhere he has been. In 3 years at Arizona State (although his only full year is this one) he hit .328 in 335 at bats. The average didn't drop a ton in conference play this season as he hit .289 overall and .283 in conference play. Not a huge power threat, but hits doubles for days. Had 17 on the year, which is top 100 in the nation. Have to really like Jump and again, I kind of wonder what is up with him jumping around all the time... he went to ASU, went JUCO and then back to ASU and now he is going to UK. Just don't understand why he'd leave a starting OF position on an NCAA tournament team and another instance of me wondering why he doesn't have much MLB interest. Still, this could be good for UK as he does seem like the real deal.
Tyler Bosma - LHP from Miami (OH). Was a starter for the Redhawks. Redhawks had an excellent pitching staff with their ace pitcher going in the top 10 of the MLB draft last night. Bosma overall had a 3.95 ERA, but Miami (OH) doesn't play the toughest schedule in the world. The two best teams Bosma faced were probably Ball State and Central Michigan. Against CMU he went 5 and gave up 2 earned runs, striking out 6 walking 2 and hitting 2, giving up 3 runs on 4 hits. Against Ball State he went just 2 innings and gave up one earned run on 1 hit with a couple walks. Seemingly had some control issues that day.
Darren Williams - A RHP from EKU. Started for them and pitched 10 starts in OVC play with a 3.43 ERA in 65.2 innings of work. He pitched against GA Tech to start the year and went 5 innings and gave up 2 earned runs on 5 hits with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts. Outside of that, I'm not sure he faced any other really solid teams. Still, he was their ace and he at least seems to have some respectable stuff.
Tyler Guilifoil - Served as a closer for Lipscomb. Had a 3.25 ERA overall and had 5 saves in 17 appearances with 36 innings pitched. So, he was used pretty heavily even if he wasn't in save situations. Went 3-1 and opponents hit just .214 against him. Numbers get a bit higher in conference play. Went 2.1 innings against UGA and held them scoreless in a close game. Gave up 2 hits, 2 walks and had a strikeout. Also threw a scoreless and hitless inning against Auburn just a few days later, getting a strikeout to go with that. I don't think they considered him a true shut down guy as they didn't use him in some of the biggest spots. For instance, when they beat Tennessee 4-0 he did not appear in the game. That might have been for other reasons, but if available, I would have expected him to pitch there. Might be nothing, but it is interesting. Should be a pretty solid spot relief guy, but I wouldn't expect him to be dominant.
One that I did not mention was the kid from South Carolina. A pitcher, Magdiel Cotto. I didn't mention him because he played SEC baseball as a freshman. His numbers weren't great, but it is hard to judge a freshman on numbers alone and I don't recall seeing him play.
