Kentucky Baseball receives MASSIVE return commitments in 2026

[Matt Dillon]

Kentucky was forced to replace 85 percent of at-bats and 75 percent of innings pitched coming off the program’s first College World Series in 2024 — Nick Mingione dealing with just short of a total rebuild in 2025. Still, though, the Bat Cats managed to return to the NCAA Tournament and made a push to the Regional Final before losing to West Virginia in a 13-12 heartbreaker.

The 12 one-run losses hurt, but plenty to build off of — assuming you could keep your up-and-coming talent going into 2026. All eyes were on the transfer portal, which opened on Monday, June 2 with a 30-day window running through July 1.

Kentucky lost some talent with James McCoy — a starter on the 2024 CWS team — being the biggest name to leave the program. Today, though, the Bat Cats received massive news regarding most of the other players to watch.

Kentucky Baseball receives MASSIVE return commitments in 2026 - On3​

[Catsrock]

Awesome. Middle infield in great hands. Some pitching lined up, focus on bringing in more arms.

[Matt Dillon]

Awesome. Middle infield in great hands. Some pitching lined up, focus on bringing in more arms.

I saw, on KSR, where they've got a transfer from WKU. I don't recall the name but he's a pitcher who's supposed to be good.

[Catsrock]

I saw, on KSR, where they've got a transfer from WKU. I don't recall the name but he's a pitcher who's supposed to be good.

Yeah he’s a Paducah kid. Was a weekend starter for WKU. Should give UK their starting rotation but have a bad need for bullpen.

Jaxon Jelkin was hurt this season. He may compete for a starting spot too if he sticks around. He’s the tall lanky kid who coached 1st base most of this season.

[Matt Dillon]

Here's another pitcher commit.
North Florida RHP Bryson Treichel commits to Kentucky Baseball