Transfer Spotlight: Dylan Koontz

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.

First baseman/DH Dylan Koontz, who will be a senior next season, announced that he would be transferring to Kentucky from Campbell on July 12.

Koontz is the second player to transfer from Kentucky to Campbell in just the past two seasons, joining right-hander Cameron O’Brien. O’Brien set the Kentucky program record for appearances out of the bullpen (36) in 2024.

The Huntersville, NC native spent three seasons at Campbell. In 56 career games (he did not play in 2023), Koontz boasts a career .267 batting average with nine doubles, six home runs, and 35 RBI. He just wrapped up his summer with the Forest City Owls (Coastal Plains League), where he hit for a .440 average with eight home runs, 31 RBI, and a 1.370 SLG%.

This past season, Koontz hit for a .295 batting average with seven doubles, six home runs, and 31 RBI. He made 32 starts at first base, second base and DH.

“I’ve known that Kentucky has a very fun and loose environment,” said Koontz. “It’s a very strong blue collar type players that makes Kentucky’s program the way they are today. They don’t move their feet when a ball is thrown at them and they are not afraid to bunt any of their players if it helps the team and the players do what’s best for the team and not themselves.”

He says this is what drew him to play for the University of Kentucky; the team’s selflessness and desire to win that drove it to its first ever Men’s College World Series berth in 2024.

DYLAN KOONTZ RIPS A DOUBLE TO RIGHT FIELD!

The @CPLBaseball average leader turns on his pitch and drops it into the outfield grass! He would follow up his extra base hit by scoring on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0 Owls!@ForestCityOwls @DylanKoontz3 @GoCamelsBSB pic.twitter.com/qrxJIWwoRC

— Ralph Greene (@Ralph_Greene945) June 20, 2024

“Yeah, I was looking for a blue collar program that has a fun and loose environment where players can just play,” said Koontz. “I am very excited to get moved in and get to work and start getting to know the players and coaches and help carry the success they had last season into this season.”

The former Camel actually began his career as a right-handed pitcher, where he put up a 13.50 ERA in just 3 1/3 innings pitched his freshman season. After missing the entirety of the 2023 season however, he has settled in at first base/DH. Koontz is excited to make the switch from the CAA to the SEC, where the competition is the best in the country.

“I am very excited to play against some of the best teams and players in the country,” he said. “I always want to be able to play against the best because that’s the only way to stay on top of your game. I’ve played against some really good teams and players and I enjoy playing those type of players and teams.”

Koontz is one of 14 incoming transfers (so far) for Nick Mingione’s Wildcats, but is the lone player to transfer from the Colonial Athletic Association. Stay tuned to KSR’s 2025 Kentucky Baseball Roster Tracker for all updates on the offseason and next season’s squad.

“I’d want [Big Blue Nation] to know is I’m gonna give my all for the team,” said Koontz. “I will do whatever to help the team but I also love to have fun on the field. I am very excited to be a Kentucky Wildcat and to work hard to keep what the teams in the past have created.”

Prior installments in the Transfer Spotlight series:

• RHP Oliver Boone (California)
• LHP Ethan Walker (Longwood)
• RHP Chase Alderman (Eastern Kentucky)
• OF Shaun Montoya (San Diego State)