Ryan Nicholson and Trey Pooser selected in the 10th Round of the 2024 MLB Draft

Kentucky first baseman Ryan Nicholson and right-handed pitcher Trey Pooser were both selected in the 10th Round of the 2024 MLB Draft Monday afternoon. Nicholson was selected at pick No. 292 by the Los Angeles Angels, and Pooser was selected at pick No. 306 by the Tampa Bay Rays.

The slot value for the 292nd pick (Nicholson) is $184,700, while the value for the 306th pick (Pooser) is $180,300. The slotting system assigns specific dollar values to each draft position. These dollar values are MLB’s “recommended” bonus amount for the player drafted at whatever position they are picked at.

Nicholson spent just one season in Lexington, but it was certainly one to remember. The Cincinnati transfer 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. Nicholson’s 23 home runs tied the single-season record at Kentucky.

Pooser spent just one season in Lexington as well, but blossomed into Kentucky’s most reliable starting pitcher over the course of that season. Once he was moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation in mid-March, the Charleston transfer garnered a 7-1 record with a 3.50 ERA. In the final 25 2/3 innings of the season (all in the postseason), Pooser allowed just four earned runs (1.43 ERA).

Pooser joins second baseman Émilien Pitre and Kentucky signee shortstop Tyler Bell as a Tampa Bay draft pick.

In total, four Wildcats from last year’s team (Ryan Waldschmidt, Pitre, Nicholson, Pooser) and three players who planned on joining the team next season (Bell, Jackson Strong, and Trent Youngblood) were selected in the 2024 MLB Draft. We’ll have to now wait and see whether or not Bell and Strong make it to campus.