Transfer Spotlight: Chase Alderman

As a new era of Kentucky Baseball emerges, it’s time to take a look at some new faces making their way to Lexington from the Transfer Portal this offseason.

Right-handed pitcher Chase Alderman, who will be a redshirt sophomore next season, announced that he would be transferring to Kentucky from Eastern Kentucky earlier this offseason.

Alderman, who grew up in Morehead, KY and attended high school at Rowan County, pitched to a 4.43 ERA in 44 2/3 innings as a freshman in 2023. He was sidelined for the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but the Kentucky kid is nearing a return to the diamond.

Prior to his injury, Alderman was tabbed as the Atlantic Sun Conference’s fourth ranked prospect for the 2025 MLB Draft by D1Baseball.com. Expectations were high and remain high for one of the state’s own.

“I am 9 months post surgery and doing great so far,” Alderman said. “I will start throwing off the mound for the first time starting on Monday (July 15) and will be back to 100% this fall as long as everything keeps going to plan.”

As he was rehabbing following his surgery, Alderman sat in the dugout as Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky faced off twice during the 2024 season. The Cats blanked the Colonels 10-0 at Kentucky Proud Park on March 5, but received a scare in Richmond as they held off EKU 5-2 one night later.

“It was obvious to me that they were a contender this year to make it to Omaha,” Alderman said as he recounted those two meetings. “They were a very experienced team with good pitching. I knew that would go a long way. It was great to see them finally break down the door and make it to Omaha this year. They’ve been really close in the past, but seeing them finally be able to do that was awesome.”

Upon entering the Portal on May 28, getting the opportunity to pitch at Kentucky was too good to pass up.

“I’m extremely excited to play for the Cats,” said the Morehead native. “I’ve grown up watching all Kentucky sports, so I’ve always wanted to play for them growing up. It’s like a dream come true.

Alderman, who was selected to the 2023 ASUN All-Freshman Team, has already connected with Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione and pitching coach Dan Roszel in their short time together.

“The experience that both of them have is incredible,” Alderman said.” “From the short time that I’ve been here I have already gained so much knowledge from both of them. And Coach [Nick] Mingione is such a great leader. He leads the team so well on the field, but he is also such a great spiritual leader and has already had some great conversations with me about these things outside of baseball that are crucial for success in my future.”

At Rowan County, the right-hander was named First Team All-Kentucky as a senior in 2022 after going 7-2 with a 1.85 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 49 innings pitched. As of now, Alderman joins left-hander Evan Byers, outfielder Griffin Cameron, left-hander Evan Hart, right-hander Jacob Price, right-hander Raymond Saatman, left-hander Hayden Smith, and infielder Trent Youngblood (Transylvania transfer) as non-incoming freshman Kentuckians on next year’s team.

“The thing I’m looking forward to the most is being able to play in a city that has the amount of support that we do here at Kentucky. I was able to come to the Regional/Super Regional this year and the environment here is unlike anywhere I’ve ever seen. My personal goals for this year are to get healthy again so I can pitch my absolute best and help us get back to Omaha.”

Prior installments in the Transfer Spotlight series:

• RHP Oliver Boone (California)
• LHP Ethan Walker (Longwood)

Stay tuned to KSR’s 2025 Kentucky Baseball Roster Tracker for all updates on the offseason and next season’s squad.