Mitch Daly and Ryan Nicholson shine in Minor League debuts

Integral members of Kentucky’s 2024 run to the Men’s College World Series, third baseman Mitchell Daly and first baseman Ryan Nicholson, made their minor league debuts for the Inland Empire 66ers (Los Angeles Angels Single-A) Wednesday night.

The former Cats made a great first impression, as Daly (who hit lead-off) went 3-4 at the plate with a double, two drawn walks, and three runs scored. Nicholson (who slotted in at DH) went 1-2 with an RBI and three drawn walks.

Nicholson was selected with the 292nd overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Angels, while Daly signed an UDFA deal. Former Tennessee standout Christian Moore, who was selected eighth overall by the Angels, made his debut as well Wednesday night. He went 2-3 at the plate with three RBI.

.@66ersBaseball will feature three players making their professional debut tonight at Modesto. #Angels first round pick Christian Moore will bat second and play 2B. Univ. of Kentucky products FA Mitchell Daly (leadoff, 3B) and 10th Rd Ryan Nicholson (6th, 1B) start as well.

— Steve Wendt (@steve_wendt) July 31, 2024

Daly (Texas) and Nicholson (Cincinnati) played just one season at Kentucky after transferring in prior to the 2024 season, but they were both major pieces on the greatest Wildcat squad in program history.

Nicholson hit for a .306 batting average with 10 doubles, 23 home runs, and 63 RBI and was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2024 Lexington Regional. His 23 home runs tied the single-season record at Kentucky.

Daly snagged the starting third base job early in the season and performed like the player he was expected to be after making the All-Big 12 First Team as a freshman at Texas. He hit for a .300 batting average with seven home runs and 45 RBI in 2024, along with a walk-off home run to take down NC State in the opening game of the Men’s College World Series.

Here’s to hoping this is the beginning of long careers for the former Bat Cats.