Where the 2023 Kentucky Baseball roster currently stands
The 2023 roster for the Bat ‘Cats continues to be set in place as Kentucky still attacks the transfer portal. Let’s take another look at how they’re shaping up and where the Wildcats currently stand at this point in the offseason.
Weapons added to the bullpen
It feels like ages ago at this point, but Kentucky is still awaiting the arrival of Seth Chavez who committed all the way back in February to join head coach Nick Mingione’s team.
Chavez adds another high-strikeout arm into the bullpen and should be used as a regular almost immediately. The 6-2, 200 pounds has had a pretty unique journey to end up in Lexington.
Originally an Arizona native, he began his career at Eastern Arizona College where he spent two seasons. InDuringhis last season in the desert in 2020, Chavez posted a 2.64 ERA while fanning 43 batters in 31 innings on the mound. He carried over the success to Eastern Tennessee State, striking out 40 in 22 innings of relief in 2021. Forced to sit out the 2022 season due to offseason Tommy John surgery, he looks to be fully healthy heading to Lexington.
He joins Mason Vinyard as bullpen arms heading to Lexington this next season. Much like Chavez, the right-hander from Paducah, KY has a fantastic strikeout rate. Following an encouraging 2021 performance that saw the Western Kentucky product post a 2.32 ERA, Vinyard faltered slightly in terms of runs allowed this past season. It’s fairly simple to look past though because of his strikeout numbers increasing immensely. Vinyard struck out 53 batters in just under 32 innings last season.
Kentucky loading up the infield
The prize possession of the 2022 transfer portal for Kentucky as it currently stands is Haydn McGeary, the Division II catcher with video game numbers. Playing for Colorado Mesa University, the Arizona native lead all of college baseball with 35 home runs this past season. That’s not even the wildest part — he did that while carrying a slash line of .481/.579/1.061 throughout the entire season. To no surprise, he’s still continuing the power surge on the summer circuit.
Questions will obviously remain about whether or not he’ll adjust to the type of pitching he’ll be expecting to see in the SEC. The overall numbers are too gaudy though to think anything other than that this guy is going to be a key cog in whatever the Bat ‘Cats are trying to do next year.
Within a few days of McGeary announcing his intentions to come to Lexington, a few more infielders joined the fray.
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Most notably was Ryan Waldschmidt, a utility infielder who impressed in his freshman season at Charleston Southern University. Primarily a third baseman this past year, Waldschmidt slashed .310/.485/.559 in his first taste of college baseball. While his position is unknown heading into 2023, he started games at six different positions last season and should be a mainstay in the lineup come next spring.
The ‘Cats also added Grant Smith that week. A junior from Incarnate Word, Smith started 49 games this past season with a line of .293/.359/.452. The increasing amount of infielders leads to questions as to who will actually play. If Smith doesn’t become a full-time starter, it’s a great addition to have as a bench piece that you can use late in games.
Rounding out the position players, Kentucky found their potential replacement at first base with the addition of Hunter Gilliam from Longwood University. The 6-2, 235-pound slugger showed flashes at the plate this past season, batting .281 with a near .400 on-base percentage. He also added 13 home runs, showcasing his power ability. A high on-base first basemen would be a decent surprise given the past few years.
Who’s leaving?
In a bit of a shocker, we’re not seeing nearly as much movement within the program as we did last year. Just days after the season ended, D1Baseball reported that two Wildcats had already joined the portal and will leave Lexington.
First was Wyatt Hudepohl, the sophomore right-hander. Hudepohl admittedly struggled in his two seasons with the Wildcats, posting a 7.48 ERA in his final year with the Wildcats.
Joining him is Kirk Liebert, primarily a catcher who struggled to get consistent at-bats in the lineup this year. Following a fantastic summer circuit in 2021, Liebert had momentum heading into the 2022 season but failed to capitalize. The Owensboro, KY native batted .219 in 23 games this past year.
Otherwise, everyone who was, and should be a ‘Cat next year, is staying as of right now.
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