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Devin Burkes will return to Kentucky baseball for redshirt junior season

Adam Luckettby:Adam Luckett07/22/23

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(Photo by Eddie Justice via UK Athletics)

After a breakthrough season, Nick Mingione and the Kentucky baseball program have continued the good vibes in the offseason. The Bat Cats might have just gotten the best news for the program when it comes to player movement.

Star catcher Devin Burkes will be returning to Lexington for his redshirt junior season.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound catcher will now spend a fourth year in Mingione’s program. The Florida native played in 61 games for Kentucky last season slashing .291/.423/.502 with 28 extra-base hits (9 home runs), and 53 RBI in 223 at-bats. The Florida native was superb in this past year’s regional going 6-of-13 (.462) with four extra-base hits and seven RBI.

Kentucky will now have a major piece in the middle of the lineup returning to Kentucky Proud Park. The good news continues the good vibes from the baseball staff’s work in the transfer portal. The Wildcats have added nine players to the roster this offseason highlighted by Central Connecticut State starting pitcher Dominic Niman (12-2, 2.77 ERA, 104 innings pitched) and Cincinnati first baseman Ryan Nicholson (.294, 16 home runs, 41 RBI). Things are looking up for Kentucky baseball.

Don’t be surprised if the Bat Cats open the 2024 season in the top 25.

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2024-12-18