Devin Burkes and Robert Hogan named Preseason All-SEC Selections

by:Daniel Hager•about 9 hours•

DanielHagerKSR

Devin-Burkes-Robert-Hogan-named-Preseason-All-SEC-Selections — Photos via UK Athletics

Kentucky fifth year catcher Devin Burkes and senior right-handed pitcher Robert Hogan were named Preseason All-SEC selections on Wednesday. The votes were compiled by all 16 SEC head coaches.

Burkes appeared in 60 games last season, hitting for a .239 batting average with 14 doubles, three home runs, and 35 RBI. In three seasons at Kentucky, the Bradenton, FL native has compiled a career .275 average with 36 doubles, 15 home runs, and 98 RBI. As Kentucky’s starting catcher (2023-2024), the Cats are 84-37 in games Burkes has played in.

After battling injuries last season, Kentucky’s iron man behind the plate underwent surgery this offseason. According to head coach Nick Mingione however, he should be back by Opening Day.

“He did have a surgery in the offseason and he we fully expect him to be ready and healthy to go by Opening Day,” Mingione said. “Winner in every since of the word.”

Hogan returns for his final season of College Baseball and his second as a Wildcat. Last season, “Bobby Spins” pitched 40 2/3 innings out of the bullpen for a 3.10 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 21 walks. He was phenomenal down the final stretch of last season, allowing just five earned runs in his final 17 1/3 innings of action. The entire First and Second Team is below:

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First Team All-SEC Selections

1B: Hunter Hines (Mississippi State)
1B: Jared Jones (LSU)
2B: Cade Kurland (Florida)
SS: Dean Curley (Tennessee)
SS: Justin Lebron (Alabama)
3B: Gavin Grahovac (Texas A&M)
C: Devin Burkes (Kentucky)
C: Ike Irish (Auburn)
OF: Max Belyeu (Texas)
OF: Jace Laviolette (Texas A&M)
OF: Ethan Petry (South Carolina)
OF: Tre Phelps (Georgia)
DH/UTIL: Hayden Schott (Texas A&M)
SP: Kade Anderson (LSU)
SP: Liam Doyle (Tennessee)
SP: Gabe Gaeckle (Arkansas)
SP: Ryan Prager (Texas A&M)
RP: Alton Davis II (Georgia)
RP: Gavin Guidry (LSU)
RP: Nate Snead (Tennesse)

Second Team All-SEC Selections

1B: Cooper McMurray (Auburn)
2B: Daniel Dickinson (LSU)
2B: Wyatt Henseler (Texas A&M)
2B: Gavin Kilen (Tennessee)
SS: Colby Shelton (Florida)
3B: Slate Alford (Georgia)
3B: Andrew Fischer (Tennessee)
C: Ryan Galvan (Texas)
C: Luke Heyman (Florida)
OF: RJ Austin (Vanderbilt)
OF: Hunter Ensley (Tennessee)
OF: Caden Sorrell (Texas A&M)
DH/UTIL: Will Hodo (Alabama)
SP: Zane Adams (Alabama)
SP: Landon Beidelschies (Arkansas)
SP: Hunter Elliott (Ole Miss)
SP: JD Thompson (Vanderbilt)
SP: Kyson Witherspoon (Oklahoma)
RP: Christian Foutch (Arkansas)
RP: Miller Green (Vanderbilt)
RP: Robert Hogan (Kentucky)

Along with the Preseason All-SEC selections, the annual preseason poll was released. Kentucky is projected to finish 10th in the SEC. The entire poll is below: