Nic McCay to feature in Kentucky's starting rotation

It was confirmed at Tuesday’s Kentucky Baseball Media Day that South Dakota State transfer right-handed pitcher Nic McCay will feature in Kentucky’s starting rotation this season.

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

“When I first got hurt, it was pretty depressing,” McCay said. “But after looking back on it, one thing I try and tell myself is ‘if the worst thing that happens to me in my life is a baseball injury then I’ve had a pretty good life.’ In terms of silver linings I get to play baseball at the University of Kentucky so I’d do all six [years] if that meant I got one year here.”

In 40 career appearances (32 starts), the right-hander boasts a career 5.05 ERA with 177 strikeouts and 79 walks in 173 innings pitched. His experience will be vital for a Kentucky pitching staff that returns just 125 1/3 innings pitched from last season’s team.

“Nic McCay is throwing the ball, him and Ben [Cleaver] have been phenomenal for us,” head coach Nick Mingione said. “Nic will be starting for us in the starting rotation this season.”

The former Jackrabbit will be looking to continue the success of past transfer portal additions in the starting rotation, such as Tyler Bosma (Miami OH), Logan Martin (Sewanee), Trey Pooser (Charleston), and Dominic Niman (Central Connecticut State). These four pitchers, who were brought in for the 2022 (Bosma), 2023 (Martin) and 2024 (Pooser and Niman) seasons, combined for a 24-14 record with a 5.01 ERA in 60 starts (280 innings).

“I’m just trying to do my role,” McCay said when asked about this recent transfer pitching success. “Obviously I can see myself there and I have a lot of belief and confidence in myself.”

Kentucky opens its 2025 season on the road at Lipscomb on February 14.