Talent is strong enough. Pitching depth, particularly in bullpen, is good. You just can't account for the intangibles this early. And injuries are the equalizer (there's already been one).
Kentucky Baseball 2025
- Thread starter Comebakatz3
- Start date
What injury has already occurred? I hadn't heard anything on the injury front...
Boone is injured and unlikely to pitch in 2025. The other two have a LOT of ground to make up but surely will have opportunities. I'd guess Skelding more likely in 2025 just based on number of LHP relievers UK has (Byers, Nove, Hentschel, Smith, Grubb, and the odd men out of the SP roles).
Just based on the roster listed on the UK website there are 48 players listed. Moving forward with the new roster limitations we will have to cut that roster to 35? When will that have to be done? At the end of the semester? I know that SN said that Boone is unlikely to pitch this year so we will have to have a combination of redshirt, injury and "cut" to make it to 35?
The new 34-man roster limit will go into effect for 2025-26 at beginning of fall ball 2025. I think you've probably already seen some future managing of that with unexpected 'de-commitments'.
Believe active roster limit is 40 this spring.
Believe active roster limit is 40 this spring.
Robert Omidi (ON) (26) 3B has committed to UK. Is the the top ranked player in the 26 class from Ontario. He is also the third commit to UK from the 24' Canadian Future Stars game.
Kind of a weak early non-conf schedule.
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Wofford made the Regional though last year.
We are likely still playing the RPI boosting game, that being evidenced by the fact that we're going on the road to play 2 weekend series early in the year.
Still, this one seems a bit weaker than in the past. Last year Lipscomb was 228th in RPI. Even playing them in Nashville isn't going provide us a huge RPI boost if they mimic their 22-34 season from a year ago. Belmont was 169th in RPI. So, it seems to me that playing both of these on the road means that they would be Q3 wins if they are both similar to year ago. They would be Q4 if we played them at home.
Evansville - 52 in RPI last year
Wofford - 50 in RPI last year
So, Wofford at home would be Q1 wins if they mimic what they did a year ago. That would be real solid to have on the resume. Evansville would be Q2.
Hofstra was 151 in RPI a year ago, making those Q4 wins. Also a midweek on the road to EKU.
All that being said, we've had some teams that seemed to surprise us with how strong they were despite not being as good the year before. So, the powers that be might have some good insight and believe that some of these early wins will look a lot better for the RPI in 2025 than they would have in 2024.
The RPI is such a difficult tool to figure out because so much of it is wrapped up in who your opponents play but playing road games certainly helps offset some of that (provided you win). We saw some of that last season when the Samford loss didn't really hurt.
Playing three mid-week road games feels like an attempt at mitigation of risk.
Playing three mid-week road games feels like an attempt at mitigation of risk.
My guess is Sunday starter if he can prove he can handle the workload (re: health) or potentially high-leverage reliever, a la Moore in 2023 (2-4 inning stints).
Yeah my thoughts too.
Why not do a 3 game series with a team like East Carolina or Houston Baptist.
I bet after last season, if we have another strong showing this year we'll find ourselves with some of those early season tournament invites in the coming years.
Feels like you might see a few kids do that here over the break. Get out in front of these roster limited coming up next year and be able to put something on tape for the portal.
Very excited about the season. It's cool that we have both SEC newcomers coming to LEX in Texas and OU. The SEC is loaded again, as usual, but I'm optimistic that we'll have another great season. Last year was fun.
We got a whole lot of turnover from last year, so I can understand not being a top 25 team to start the year. We also weren't top 25 last year. We are going to have to prove that we have turned the program around and that years like last year weren't flukes but are to be close to the new norm.
For me, the goal is to get to the NCAA tournament every year. Similar to the football team getting a bowl bid every year. That is sort of the floor of the program that I would like to see achieved.
Lasted a semester I guess?
Was listed as Utility but with the log jam at infield and the outfield mostly upperclassmen they probably said there wouldn't be any PT.
They should at least play a sunbelt team which is essentially a p4/5 in baseball.
I agree with this, though I'd add that I'd like to be a host half of the time when there. Hosting the NCAA tournament is so cool and I really hope that we can make it a habit.
I have really become a big UK baseball fan and follow them closely. Hopefully Ming has put a roster together to make a run.
Derek Terry had a nice report on both Sat/Sun. Since it’s premium, won’t go into detail but it appears positive.
I think you can see a preview of what he has written for free. I read part of the Sunday review and it at least shows the rosters for each team, which is interesting.
There is also a 7 day free trial that he offers, so people can take advantage of that as well.
What was interesting is that there were a lot of new names on those rosters. I know there was a lot of turnover, but it is going to take me some time and some studying to figure out the who is who on this roster.
Some things on the roster that were interesting (please note that I am getting this info only from the free preview (not the trial and not paid version), so not trying to take any money out of DT's pocket, but if he sees this and would like me to delete then I am happy to do so.
1. McCoy was DH and then played some 1B.
- Nothing inherently wrong with this, but I think the best aspect of McCoy is his arm, so playing him in these spots is not using that aspect at all. Still, it was one scrimmage and things will be changing a lot.
2. Burkes apparently did not hit, but played C for one of the teams.
- Not sure why this is. May have just been a partial break for him or something, but he has had his struggles at the plate so one would think they'd want him out there seeing live pitching more, but who knows.
3. Leighton Harris is listed as a Utility and a LHP. He pitched in this one, so it will be interesting to see if his usage is more P or if he'll also get a lot of utility work.
4. Tyler Bell played SS. Plenty of young players play, but with this guy we have a lot of high hopes, so it will be interesting to see if he can find a place on the field this spring.
Some things on the roster that were interesting (please note that I am getting this info only from the free preview (not the trial and not paid version), so not trying to take any money out of DT's pocket, but if he sees this and would like me to delete then I am happy to do so.
1. McCoy was DH and then played some 1B.
- Nothing inherently wrong with this, but I think the best aspect of McCoy is his arm, so playing him in these spots is not using that aspect at all. Still, it was one scrimmage and things will be changing a lot.
2. Burkes apparently did not hit, but played C for one of the teams.
- Not sure why this is. May have just been a partial break for him or something, but he has had his struggles at the plate so one would think they'd want him out there seeing live pitching more, but who knows.
3. Leighton Harris is listed as a Utility and a LHP. He pitched in this one, so it will be interesting to see if his usage is more P or if he'll also get a lot of utility work.
4. Tyler Bell played SS. Plenty of young players play, but with this guy we have a lot of high hopes, so it will be interesting to see if he can find a place on the field this spring.
*Don't be surprised if you see McCoy pitch more than play the field. But there also isn't a natural 1B with any experience on the roster so someone has to back up Koontz. McCoy did arrive at UK as a 1B.
*Burkes had a wrist issue that was addressed and he is rehabilitating.
*Harris is going to be a big piece of the staff. I'd be surprised if he sees any AB as a positional player this season.
*Bell will start in the middle infield, likely SS.
*The thing that is readily apparent is the physicality of this team, particularly the freshmen (compared to years past). You may see Ryan Schwartz and Nolan Belcher get opportunities too.
Another interesting aspect is the C/DH. Burkes, we now know thanks to Seamhead, is rehabbing some. So, one would think that Pelltier will get some go at C. When healthy, how will the staff manage these two? Will we see them swap out games where one of them sits and the other plays or will the rotate at C and DH?
I am sure that others have an idea of what might happen.
I am sure that others have an idea of what might happen.
Yea, I would expect that regardless but even moreso with Burkes being banged up. Last year we saw a lot of young guys play early on in the season and then that was eased off some as the lineup was narrowed down and we got more healthy. So, wouldn't surprise me to see UK do something like that again this season to see not only which freshmen can step up, but also to get them experience in situations where some of the veterans are not 100 percent and while we're not playing the grind of the SEC.
The roster has all of those that played last year listed as Sophomores. I would be curious to know if any of them will have some sort of option to use that first year as a redshirt later on? I think the rule is that as long as they play under a certain percentage of games that they are eligible to redshirt. I am not sure what that cutoff is, but Hindle and Cameron played in under 10 games.
By the way, some things to note about the roster:
Nate Harris - Came to UK as a predicted OF, but is listed on the roster solely as a RHP.
Khaleel Pratt - Came to UK as a predicted OF, but is listed as a RHP and OF.
Cameron Owens - Came to UK as a predicted SS/INF, but listed as RHP.
Jack Sams - Not on roster. (could not find where he may have transferred to)
Haydin Mains - Not on roster (headed to Morehead State)
It isn't uncommon for rosters to be larger in the fall and then for cuts and transfers to occur at the break or just before as teams are required to get under a certain number. I am thinking that this number has to be active players and that redshirts would not count, but if I am incorrect about that, someone can certainly step in and let me know.
Nate Harris - Came to UK as a predicted OF, but is listed on the roster solely as a RHP.
Khaleel Pratt - Came to UK as a predicted OF, but is listed as a RHP and OF.
Cameron Owens - Came to UK as a predicted SS/INF, but listed as RHP.
Jack Sams - Not on roster. (could not find where he may have transferred to)
Haydin Mains - Not on roster (headed to Morehead State)
It isn't uncommon for rosters to be larger in the fall and then for cuts and transfers to occur at the break or just before as teams are required to get under a certain number. I am thinking that this number has to be active players and that redshirts would not count, but if I am incorrect about that, someone can certainly step in and let me know.
Sams did not enroll last fall. Believe he is being considered part of 2025 class. Not sure.
Mains is one of a few guys that opted to go JUCO or transfer to a smaller program for PT purposes. Franklin, Hart, Price too.
The active roster number is 40 and has to be set by first pitch of season, to my understanding. I think we're at 44 (if i can count the web roster the right way, no guarantee) with two injury RS's so two guys likely will have to be left off the active roster this spring. Similar to a Hudson Brown and a few others last spring.
Also, I should clarify on Burkes. He's expected to be fine. He's taking live swings in practice.
Mains is one of a few guys that opted to go JUCO or transfer to a smaller program for PT purposes. Franklin, Hart, Price too.
The active roster number is 40 and has to be set by first pitch of season, to my understanding. I think we're at 44 (if i can count the web roster the right way, no guarantee) with two injury RS's so two guys likely will have to be left off the active roster this spring. Similar to a Hudson Brown and a few others last spring.
Also, I should clarify on Burkes. He's expected to be fine. He's taking live swings in practice.
I would agree with above posts that incoming players, especially freshman are much more physically mature than in the past. From what I have seen in the fall I think Gargett will not be left out of the lineup. He just makes too much good contact and is an excellent defender. It will be hard for him to suplant the older Herrera at third but he has so much potential. Dunno where that leaves Hindle but he is really good too.
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