McCay, Cleaver, and Walker to make up Kentucky's starting rotation

by:Daniel Hager•about 12 hours•

DanielHagerKSR

McCay-Cleaver-and-Walker-make-up-Kentucky-starting-rotation — Photos via UK Athletics

After months of speculation, the Kentucky Baseball program finally revealed its starting rotation for its season opening series at Lipscomb.

The trio handpicked by Nick Mingione and his staff will be South Dakota State transfer senior right-hander Nic McCay, sophomore left-hander Ben Cleaver, and Longwood transfer junior left-hander Ethan Walker.

This will mark the second consecutive season where the starting rotation is made up of two transfers and a player that began his career at Kentucky. Last season, Trey Pooser and Dominic Niman transferred in and Mason Moore was the player that began his career in Lexington. That trio pitched to a combined 5.00 ERA in 253 2/3 innings last season.

McCay, who was selected to the All-Summit League First Team in 2024 and All-Summit League Second Team in 2019 and 2022, will start in Kentucky’s season opener on Friday. The 2025 season will mark McCay’s seventh in College Baseball, as he missed 2020, 2021, and 2023 due to injuries.

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Sophomore lefty Ben Cleaver, who made six appearances in relief last season and pitched to a 4.26 ERA in 6 1/3 innings, will start in the second game on Saturday. At Media Day, Nick Mingione spoke highly of the second year player.

“Ben Cleaver has been our guy that if you asked ‘Coach Minge, what returning pitcher’s made the biggest jump?’ I’d tell you it’s been Ben Cleaver. He’s throwing the ball as well as anybody right now. Three and four pitches for a strike so I’m excited to see what he brings.”

Finally, junior left-hander Ethan Walker will make his first appearance in a Kentucky uniform in the series finale on Sunday. In 84 2/3 career innings pitched, Walker boasts a 4.25 ERA with a 5-4 record. Has 18 career starts under his belt and started Kentucky’s scrimmage against Wright State on October 6. In three innings, Walker gave up four hits and three earned runs while striking out three batters and walking two.

Kentucky opens its 2025 season Friday, February 14 on the road in Nashville at Lipscomb.