Bat Cats Insider: Who's standing out at fall practice?

Kentucky gears up for a scrimmage against Wright State on Sunday, but here's who's standing out so far this fall.

Photo by Tommy Quarles of UK Athletics

Kentucky travels to Mason, Ohio, on Sunday to face Wright State in the first of two scrimmages this fall for the Wildcats. Kentucky will practice for a few more weeks before hosting Morehead State at Kentucky Proud Park on Sunday, Oct. 27.

The scrimmage against Wright State will be held at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati. Wright State is a solid program from the Horizon League that has played in six NCAA Tournaments since 2015, including three straight from 2021-23. New Kentucky hitting coach Chase Slone was a full-time assistant for the Raiders from 2021-24 and played for the program in 2018 and 2019.

This is being branded as “Fall Fest at Prasco Park,” with gates opening at 11 a.m. and first pitch scheduled for noon. Learn more about Sunday’s activities.

Insider notes

I posted some notes Sunday night about Kentucky’s first scrimmage. The Wildcats have scrimmaged two other times since then. In speaking with sources around the program, here’s the latest on what I’m hearing:

• Campbell transfer Dylan Koontz is playing first base and continues to have a solid fall. A native of Huntersville, North Carolina, Koontz slashed .295/.406/.488 with seven doubles and six home runs in 2024. He was also excellent in the Coastal Plains League, hitting .440 with eight home runs. He’s keeping that momentum going at Kentucky so far this fall. Koontz provides some solid pop from the left side of the plate.

• Memphis transfer Will Marcy is making a good impression in center field. Marcy began his career at North Carolina State before transferring to Memphis last season. He roped a single up the middle at the scrimmage I went to and has continued to hit well. One person I spoke with felt that Marcy was one of the most naturally talented players in the portal last summer. It would be big for Kentucky’s 2025 team if he plays up to that potential.

• According to a source, Eli Small has improved significantly in the outfield. Getting to league-average ability in the outfield would go a long way for the Wildcats because he has a real chance to be an impact bat. Small homered in the scrimmage on Friday and could profile as a middle-of-the-order hitter.