*** Transfer portal tracker ***

[Derek Terry]

Kentucky picked up another transfer commitment today. I'm digging for more background info, but Haydn McGeary out of Colorado Mesa University has picked Kentucky. He's had a dynamic career at the Division II level. He homered 35 times this season and 20 times last year. Back-to-back Division II player of the year. Look for him to be a middle of the order bat next year.

 

[Derek Terry]

A few of McGeary's accomplishments on his bio:

2022 Honors
ABCA South Central Region Player of the Year
ABCA All-Region First Team
D2CCA South Central Region Player of the Year
D2CCA All-Region First Team
NCBWA South Central Region Player of the Year
NCBWA All-Region First Team
RMAC Player of the Year
All-RMAC First Team
RMAC All-Tournament Team
NCBWA South Central Region Hitter of the Week (Feb. 23, Mar. 9)
RMAC Hitter of the Week (Feb. 22, Mar. 8)
USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List
USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List
NCBWA Preseason All-American Designated Hitter
NCBWA Preseason All-Region Designated Hitter

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

Sheesh. Went and looked at his stats. .481 average. 40 strikeouts to 43 walks. Coming from a team that won 43 games. Seems like a decent pickup.

 

[Derek Terry]

Sheesh. Went and looked at his stats. .481 average. 40 strikeouts to 43 walks. Coming from a team that won 43 games. Seems like a decent pickup.

I gasped when I saw 35 homers this year with a 1.640 OPS and more walks than strikeouts. I'm guessing he'll be a DH. Of course, we'll have to see how it translates against elite pitching, but I think there's a lot to like here.

 

[Comebakatz3]

A catcher. That's an interesting dynamic.

 

[sluggercatfan]

I gasped when I saw 35 homers this year with a 1.640 OPS and more walks than strikeouts. I'm guessing he'll be a DH. Of course, we'll have to see how it translates against elite pitching, but I think there's a lot to like here.

Was getting ready to ask...seeing my listed as a catcher, so what would happen to Burkes? 6'5 is way too tall for a catcher.

 

[Aday117]

That’s some gaudy numbers. Hope it translates well enough in the SEC.

 

[TuckyBlue]

Glad to have you posting here, DT. Already have a few great posters regarding baseball, plus JDrum. Looking forward to more talk/a little insight to follow.

 

[Derek Terry]

Not public yet, but UK has another commitment from the portal. I'm sure it'll be announced relatively soon.

 

[parrott]

Thanks DT! You are killing it. Thanks for being here and sharing what you know.

 

[TuckyFB]

Good pick up

Minigone making moves so far in the portal. Good to see.

 

[Derek Terry]

WKU RHP Mason Vinyard commits to Kentucky. He's the player I was referring to yesterday. Vinyard is the third portal pitcher to commit, joining Logan Martin and Seth Chavez.

 

[dtjr]

WKU RHP Mason Vinyard commits to Kentucky. He's the player I was referring to yesterday. Vinyard is the third portal pitcher to commit, joining Logan Martin and Seth Chavez.

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Looks like a RH Reliever who had 53 K's in 31 innings this year. Still had a 4.2 ERA with a couple of bad outings middle of the year and a bad outing at the end. Had a nice 2021 Season.

Decent pickup for relief.

 

[Derek Terry]

Grant Smith, a first-team Southland Conference selection from Incarnate Word, committed to Kentucky. He’s been a SS at Incarnate Word but can move around on the dirt.

He’s a three-year starter, accumulating 116 starts during that time. Because of COVID he still has two years of eligibility remaining. Smith is a career .296 hitter with 132 hits, 21 doubles, 4 triples, 16 home runs, 87 RBI, 93 strikeouts and 55 walks. He hit third for Incarnate Word this season. UK thinks there’s some more potential with the bat. Currently playing for the Macon Bacon in the Coastal Plains league.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Grant Smith, a first-team Southland Conference selection from Incarnate Word, committed to Kentucky. He’s been a SS at Incarnate Word but can move around on the dirt.

He’s a three-year starter, accumulating 116 starts during that time. Because of COVID he still has two years of eligibility remaining. Smith is a career .296 hitter with 132 hits, 21 doubles, 4 triples, 16 home runs, 87 RBI, 93 strikeouts and 55 walks. He hit third for Incarnate Word this season. UK thinks there’s some more potential with the bat. Currently playing for the Macon Bacon in the Coastal Plains league.

Interesting pickup. Thanks for the update DT! Again, real glad you're back

 

[Derek Terry]

I think it's possible another decision comes by tomorrow afternoon. Not a lock that a decision is made by then and I don't know yet that Kentucky is the choice, but I think the Cats have a good shot. We'll see what happens.

 

[maysvilleky]

UK needs starting pitching. So hopefully the next transfer will be a front line starter.

 

[Seamhead_Ninja]

UK needs starting pitching. So hopefully the next transfer will be a front line starter.

No doubt SP is needed. That said a true "ace" either isn't available or is going to get a ton of NIL money from somewhere, which he won't at Kentucky. There just aren't enough boosters willing to pony up, nor is the department pushing that advantage. But a weekend combo of something like Cotto/Hagenow/Stupp/Bosma/Dana if the draft goes UK's way for once wouldn't be all that bad, esp. if Cotto and Hagenow make a sizeable jump, which Roszel has proven he can get the best out of guys. Their issue isn't stuff, it's walks. Eliminate those and they're as good as anyone in the league or the portal.

 

[Derek Terry]

 

[Seamhead_Ninja]

Ryan Waldschmidt is in. CF. MASSIVE get.

 

[Comebakatz3]

Ryan Waldschmidt is in. CF. MASSIVE get.

Convince me...

 

[Derek Terry]

Big fan of the Waldschmidt commitment for Kentucky. Waldschmidt was one of the best offensive players in the Big South as a freshman. He finished top 10 in the conference in six categories: slugging percentage (.574), on base percentage (.492), OPS (1.066), walks (35), hit by pitch (14) and stolen bases (17). His OPS was third-best in the Big South. Waldschmidt also homered nine times and led Charleston Southern in RBI with 43.

This is a guy with three years of eligibility who is a versatile defender but likely slots in at centerfield for Kentucky. Ranked No. 443 nationally last year by Perfect Game. In terms of credentials coming into the program, I think there’s an argument Waldschmidt is the best player UK has landed from the portal the past two years.

 

[Seamhead_Ninja]

Big fan of the Waldschmidt commitment for Kentucky. Waldschmidt was one of the best offensive players in the Big South as a freshman. He finished top 10 in the conference in six categories: slugging percentage (.574), on base percentage (.492), OPS (1.066), walks (35), hit by pitch (14) and stolen bases (17). His OPS was third-best in the Big South. Waldschmidt also homered nine times and led Charleston Southern in RBI with 43.

This is a guy with three years of eligibility who is a versatile defender but likely slots in at centerfield for Kentucky. Ranked No. 443 nationally last year by Perfect Game. In terms of credentials coming into the program, I think there’s an argument Waldschmidt is the best player UK has landed from the portal the past two years.

And every big program in the country was in touch with him in the portal. Think it came down top UK and Dallas Baptist, but @Derek Terry may have better idea.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

I wish we would bring in some guys from Power 5 schools but his stats are impressive. He had 10 more walks than strikeouts and only struck out 26 times in 150 ABs.

 

[Derek Terry]

I get it on the Power 5 guys but I just think baseball is a lot different than other sports. Guys commit to P5 schools so early and I'd say the miss rate is much higher. Hell, it has to be when the majority of the commitments happen at 14-16 years old. I just think the developmental curve is so different in baseball as well compared to some other sports. Mississippi State has four portal commitments so far and they come from Missouri, Samford, Ball State and Memphis.

In Waldschmidt's case, this is clearly a guy good enough to play in the SEC. Dallas Baptist, Vanderbilt, Alabama and more Power 5 schools reached out to him. You're also getting a guy who will be here for two more years at a premium position. I love the pickup.

 

[167Hike]

And let’s not forget the current SEC pitcher of the year was a freshman transfer from Georgia Southern.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

Looks like we got two commitments today.

 

[Derek Terry]

Looks like we got two commitments today.

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I believe UK was recognizing Grant Smith too since he made it public today.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

I believe UK was recognizing Grant Smith too since he made it public today.

Do you know if we have any potential transfers visiting this weekend?

 

[Derek Terry]

Do you know if we have any potential transfers visiting this weekend?

This weekend is a dead period. Should be some more visitors coming in this upcoming week.

 

[Derek Terry]

So here's a recap of UK's additions so far and where I think they slot in at this point:

RHP Logan Martin - On paper, the guy who will face the steepest curve as he goes from Division III to the SEC. He's a strikeout specialist as he averaged over 12 Ks per game this year as a starter. He will almost certainly be a reliever at Kentucky and someone whose stuff I think will play up even more if he's only going to be asked to go one or two innings per outing. He pitched in the Coastal Plain League last summer and tied for fourth in the league in strikeouts with 52 in 33.2 innings (14.2 K/9). He outperformed both Mag Cotto and Darren Williams in that league last summer.

RHP Seth Chavez - Coming off Tommy John surgery so he didn't pitch in 2022. His average fastball was 95 MPH prior to surgery. Back of the bullpen type arm who had a 4.91 ERA in 21. Struck out 40 batters in 22 innings pitched.

RHP Mason Vinyard - Similar to Chavez, I think Vinyard could earn a role late in the game. He had a great stretch from the middle-late part of the season. After the Southern Miss game, he only gave up two ER in over 16 innings with 25 strikeouts and two walks. Like a lot of relievers, he had a few games that he got roughed up and it caused the ERA to balloon some.

1B Hunter Gilliam - Good defensive first baseman who hit 13 home runs at Longwood this year. Hit .281 for the season. He'll be expected to hit for power.

DH Haydn McGeary - I'm not an expert on DII baseball but offensively he's likely one of the best players at that level. He's the career home run leader in DII and won national player of the year twice. He's mashing in the Appy League this summer as well. Two homers in seven games and is hitting well over .300. Big, physical player who is being brought in to hit and hit some more.

IF Grant Smith - Wrote about him a little bit above yesterday but a kid who's played a lot of baseball. All-conference in the Southland Conference. He's played SS for most of his career but I could see him as UK's third baseman next year. I like his versatility. UK believes there's more potential with the bat.

CF Ryan Waldschmidt - I'm a huge OPS guy and love to see someone who walks more than he strikeouts. Waldschmidt fits that bill as he had a 1.044 OPS and walked 36 times compared to 26 strikeouts. Also hit nine homers as a freshman, including his first career home run in his first game against Ole Miss. He fits a lot of the things I love in a baseball player. My personal favorite in the portal so far.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

I wonder how many more guys we’re going to take from the portal?

 

[Comebakatz3]

So here's a recap of UK's additions so far and where I think they slot in at this point:

RHP Logan Martin - On paper, the guy who will face the steepest curve as he goes from Division III to the SEC. He's a strikeout specialist as he averaged over 12 Ks per game this year as a starter. He will almost certainly be a reliever at Kentucky and someone whose stuff I think will play up even more if he's only going to be asked to go one or two innings per outing. He pitched in the Coastal Plain League last summer and tied for fourth in the league in strikeouts with 52 in 33.2 innings (14.2 K/9). He outperformed both Mag Cotto and Darren Williams in that league last summer.

RHP Seth Chavez - Coming off Tommy John surgery so he didn't pitch in 2022. His average fastball was 95 MPH prior to surgery. Back of the bullpen type arm who had a 4.91 ERA in 21. Struck out 40 batters in 22 innings pitched.

RHP Mason Vinyard - Similar to Chavez, I think Vinyard could earn a role late in the game. He had a great stretch from the middle-late part of the season. After the Southern Miss game, he only gave up two ER in over 16 innings with 25 strikeouts and two walks. Like a lot of relievers, he had a few games that he got roughed up and it caused the ERA to balloon some.

1B Hunter Gilliam - Good defensive first baseman who hit 13 home runs at Longwood this year. Hit .281 for the season. He'll be expected to hit for power.

DH Haydn McGeary - I'm not an expert on DII baseball but offensively he's likely one of the best players at that level. He's the career home run leader in DII and won national player of the year twice. He's mashing in the Appy League this summer as well. Two homers in seven games and is hitting well over .300. Big, physical player who is being brought in to hit and hit some more.

IF Grant Smith - Wrote about him a little bit above yesterday but a kid who's played a lot of baseball. All-conference in the Southland Conference. He's played SS for most of his career but I could see him as UK's third baseman next year. I like his versatility. UK believes there's more potential with the bat.

CF Ryan Waldschmidt - I'm a huge OPS guy and love to see someone who walks more than he strikeouts. Waldschmidt fits that bill as he had a 1.044 OPS and walked 36 times compared to 26 strikeouts. Also hit nine homers as a freshman, including his first career home run in his first game against Ole Miss. He fits a lot of the things I love in a baseball player. My personal favorite in the portal so far.

DT... we go way back. I'm super proud of you. Someday soon, I hope to solidify that with a handshake and a hug. We may not see eye to eye on it all, but our hearts want the same thing and for that, we're kin.

 

[SeanCain]

I get it on the Power 5 guys but I just think baseball is a lot different than other sports. Guys commit to P5 schools so early and I'd say the miss rate is much higher. Hell, it has to be when the majority of the commitments happen at 14-16 years old. I just think the developmental curve is so different in baseball as well compared to some other sports. Mississippi State has four portal commitments so far and they come from Missouri, Samford, Ball State and Memphis.

In Waldschmidt's case, this is clearly a guy good enough to play in the SEC. Dallas Baptist, Vanderbilt, Alabama and more Power 5 schools reached out to him. You're also getting a guy who will be here for two more years at a premium position. I love the pickup.

I trust your opinion so I’ll go with it.

 

[SeanCain]

So here's a recap of UK's additions so far and where I think they slot in at this point:

RHP Logan Martin - On paper, the guy who will face the steepest curve as he goes from Division III to the SEC. He's a strikeout specialist as he averaged over 12 Ks per game this year as a starter. He will almost certainly be a reliever at Kentucky and someone whose stuff I think will play up even more if he's only going to be asked to go one or two innings per outing. He pitched in the Coastal Plain League last summer and tied for fourth in the league in strikeouts with 52 in 33.2 innings (14.2 K/9). He outperformed both Mag Cotto and Darren Williams in that league last summer.

RHP Seth Chavez - Coming off Tommy John surgery so he didn't pitch in 2022. His average fastball was 95 MPH prior to surgery. Back of the bullpen type arm who had a 4.91 ERA in 21. Struck out 40 batters in 22 innings pitched.

RHP Mason Vinyard - Similar to Chavez, I think Vinyard could earn a role late in the game. He had a great stretch from the middle-late part of the season. After the Southern Miss game, he only gave up two ER in over 16 innings with 25 strikeouts and two walks. Like a lot of relievers, he had a few games that he got roughed up and it caused the ERA to balloon some.

1B Hunter Gilliam - Good defensive first baseman who hit 13 home runs at Longwood this year. Hit .281 for the season. He'll be expected to hit for power.

DH Haydn McGeary - I'm not an expert on DII baseball but offensively he's likely one of the best players at that level. He's the career home run leader in DII and won national player of the year twice. He's mashing in the Appy League this summer as well. Two homers in seven games and is hitting well over .300. Big, physical player who is being brought in to hit and hit some more.

IF Grant Smith - Wrote about him a little bit above yesterday but a kid who's played a lot of baseball. All-conference in the Southland Conference. He's played SS for most of his career but I could see him as UK's third baseman next year. I like his versatility. UK believes there's more potential with the bat.

CF Ryan Waldschmidt - I'm a huge OPS guy and love to see someone who walks more than he strikeouts. Waldschmidt fits that bill as he had a 1.044 OPS and walked 36 times compared to 26 strikeouts. Also hit nine homers as a freshman, including his first career home run in his first game against Ole Miss. He fits a lot of the things I love in a baseball player. My personal favorite in the portal so far.

Excellent breakdown Derek. I really appreciate your contribution to the board.

 

[Derek Terry]

I wonder how many more guys we’re going to take from the portal?

I'd guess at least two or three more minimum.

 

[mrschwump]

Thanks for the run down on the new guys, looks like a solid group.

I'd mentioned elsewhere a comment Tim Corbin made during last year's MLB draft that there were five 1st rounders from non-P5 schools that had never been drafted before. There are really good players everywhere, let's hope UK gets their share.

 

[TuckyFB]

We're putting together a nice portal "class".

More, please. Still a lot of spots left.

 

[BluegrassBlake]

We really need to find a starting pitcher.

 

[Derek Terry]

We really need to find a starting pitcher.

They're in the mix for a Power 5 starter who is receiving a lot of attention in the portal.