MLB Draft Recap: Kentucky could have strong roster in 2024

The 2023 MLB Draft ended on Tuesday evening with four current players or commits being selected. The Pittsburgh Pirates picked right-handed pitcher Austin Strickland (7th round) and left-handed pitcher Magdiel Cotto (11th round), the Kansas City Royals selected right-handed pitcher Logan Martin (12th round) and the St. Louis Cardinals selected incoming transfer Trey Paige (17th round). 

The expectation is that each of the four players selected will sign professional contracts. However, starting catcher Devin Burkes and right-handed reliever Mason Moore are noticeably missing from this list. Both players were among the best prospects the Wildcats had this season, but both had leverage working in their favor. With the draft now complete, the expectation is that both players will return to Kentucky next season. 

Some other key players also went undrafted and could return next season if they do not sign nondrafted free agent deals. Zack Lee, Kentucky’s best starting pitcher in 2023, was not selected. If he chooses to use it, Lee has one more year of eligibility remaining, though he seems like someone teams would be interested in signing as a UDFA. Relievers Ryan Hagenow and Seth Chavez also went unselected and figure to be essential bullpen pieces if they return next year.

Big Questions Answered

While the roster has yet to be solidified for the 2024 season, we have a better idea of what it could look like. Burkes, a .292/.423/.502 hitter in 2023, fills an important need as a middle-of-the-order hitter at a premium position. Moore was Kentucky’s best reliever in 2023 with a 1.80 earned run average over 55 innings. He’s likely to join fellow in-state product Travis Smith at the front of Kentucky’s weekend rotation next season, giving the Wildcats one of their stronger Friday-Saturday starter combos in the Nick Mingione era. 

Other possible weekend starting candidates would be Lee (if he returns), Central Connecticut lefty transfer Dominic Niman and College of Charleston righty Trey Pooser. While likely not perceived as a front-runner, Hagenow could work back into the weekend mix with a good offseason. Hagenow has started 13 games in his Kentucky career, including a few SEC starts. But whether he starts or not, Hagenow will likely fit as a multi-inning reliever on the weekends. 

Positionally, Kentucky will monitor shortstop Grant Smith and outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt as they recover from injuries. However, Burkes, second baseman Emilien Pitre, first baseman/outfielder James McCoy, outfielder Nolan McCarthy and designated hitter Reuben Church all have starting experience and could be considered either locks or favorites to win a starting job once again. Redshirt freshman outfielder Lukas Schramm could be ready to start next season as well. 

What’s Next?

Kentucky’s coaching staff will monitor undrafted free agent deals over the next few days, but it’s hard to imagine the draft could’ve gone much better for the Wildcats. Strickland and Cotto were expected to sign all along. Martin and Paige attended the MLB Combine and just finished their fourth year of college, so it’s hardly a surprise that they’ll likely sign. 

We’ll continue to cover everything happening with the program during this offseason here at KSR. Still, the Kentucky baseball program appears to be in great shape to enter next season as a preseason top-25 team. The expectation will be to make the NCAA Tournament for back-to-back years for the first time in program history.