BBMLB: Checking in on the MLB Wildcats

With the 2022 Major League Baseball season in full swing, it’s time to check in on the former Kentucky Wildcats up in the bigs.

As of June 5, 2022, 10 former ‘Cats have seen action in the majors. It’s a pitching-heavy list, with a couple of relievers highlighting the top.

James Paxton, the oldest current UK alum playing in the MLB, is yet to make his season debut due to having Tommy John surgery back in March 2020. He is expected to return late this season.

Evan White is also yet to debut this season, as he is recovering from a sports hernia. He began a rehab assignment for the Mariners on May 18.

Trevor Gott, RHP Milwaukee Brewers

Lexington native Trevor Gott is amidst his seventh season in the pros and is seeing frequent usage in Milwaukee.

The Tates Creek High School product has pitched the third-most games out of the bullpen for the Crew, totaling 20 innings of work in 21 innings. He’s struck out 20 hitters while walking just three, owning a 3.15 ERA.

Gott is on pace to break his season-high for appearances — which currently stands at 50 — when he was a mainstay in the San Fransisco Giants bullpen in 2019. He is also on pace for a career-best WHIP. Gott is having a nice bounceback year after not cracking an MLB roster in 2021.

Luke Maile, C Cleveland Guardians

Luke Maile is back in a familiar backup catching role, this time in Cleveland.

The Edgewood, Kentucky native played just 15 games last season for the Brewers, filling in when called up from Triple-A. After straining his hamstring at the beginning of the season, Maile is already close to surpassing the number of games he played last season.

In 13 games for the Guardians, the 6-foot-3 catcher is hitting .281, racking up nine hits and four RBI. He’s also drawn five walks, bumping up his OBP to .368.

Also on his fourth team in his seventh season, Maile may have a shot at equaling his season-high for games played, which is 68 when he was with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Taylor Rogers, LHP San Diego Padres

It’s been one heck of a season so far for Taylor Rogers.

After being traded to the Padres from the Minnesota Twins right before Opening Day, the 6-foot-3 lefty closer has adjusted nicely out west. He is currently second in the MLB in saves with 17, executing on all but three opportunities. He’s struck out 26 batters in 23 innings and is holding batters to a career-best .165 batting average.

After battling through injuries in his last two seasons in Minnesota, there seem to be no signs of slowing down for the 37th-round draft pick.

Zach Logue, LHP Oakland Athletics

Older brother of current Wildcat Seth, Zach Logue has been up and down with the A’s this season.

Making five starts and one relief appearance, Logue filed a 2-4 record and a 5.47 ERA. His lone win as a starter came on May 11, when he held the Detroit Tigers to just five hits and no runs over seven innings of work.

In 24.2 innings pitched, he allowed 29 hits and 15 earned runs. His most recent start came on May 28, when he lasted just 2.1 innings against the Texas Rangers, allowing four runs on seven hits. He was optioned back down to Triple-A a day later.

Other Wildcats on the diamond

J.T. Riddle, SS New York Mets: Appeared in two games for the Cincinnati Reds this season before being traded to the Mets on May 28. Currently in Triple-A.

Zach Reks, OF Texas Rangers: Appeared in nine games for the Rangers, hit .227 in 22 at-bats. Collected three RBI and scored two runs. Optioned to Triple-A on June 3.

Sean Hjelle, RHP San Fransisco Giants: Fittingly, this 6-foot-11 giant made his debut with the Giants on May 6. In two games, Hjelle pitched four innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out six. Currently in Triple-A.

Zach Pop, RHP Miami Marlins: Pitched in two games for the Marlins this season, totaling just three innings, allowing five hits and three runs. Optioned to Triple-A on June 2.

Zack Thompson, LHP St. Louis Cardinals: The first-round draft pick made his debut on June 3, tossing four innings of three-hit, one-run baseball against the Chicago Cubs.

Ka’ai Tom, OF San Fransisco Giants: Played in one game for the Giants this season, hitting into a fielder’s choice in his only at-bat. Currently in Triple-A.