Kentucky baseball star SS Grant Smith returning for 2024 season

Grant Smith, one of the best shortstops in all of college baseball this past season, is returning for another year in Lexington.

The news was announced on Sunday morning by the Kentucky baseball program. Smith, who was one of three finalists for this year’s Gold Glove Award, was credited with just three errors in 244 chances for UK during the 2023 campaign. The Albuquerque, NM native also helped create 34 double plays for the ‘Cats. His return for a second season at Kentucky gives head coach Nick Mingione another piece to what should be an incredible defense for the 2024 season.

Smith spent the first three seasons of his college career at Incarnate Word before transferring to UK ahead of the 2023 season. This will be his final year of eligibility. This news comes on the heels of star catcher Devin Burkes announcing his return to UK on Saturday.

Although Smith was not named the Gold Glove winner, he was clearly among the nation’s best at the shortstop position. Joining Smith as finalists were Alabama senior Jim Jarvis (who won the award) and Arizona junior Nik McClaughry. Among that trio, Smith posted the highest fielding percentage (.988), which helped Kentucky set a school record in that statistical category with a team fielding percentage of .984.

On offense for the Bat ‘Cats, Smith hit .281 on the season across 61 games played (all starts). He registered 58 hits and eight home runs. With Smith and Burkes back in the fold plus a slew of impressive incoming transfers acquired in the offseason, Mingione has Kentucky primed for another big season in 2024.