Projecting Kentucky's pitching staff in 2025
The Wildcats' pitching staff will look much different compared to the 2024 College World Series team.
The Kentucky baseball team will have a new rotation in 2025. Following the departures of Trey Pooser, Mason Moore, Dominic Niman, Travis Smith and Drew Lafferty, the Wildcats must replace 60 starts from last year’s team, including all 30 SEC regular season starts. In the bullpen, key pieces to last year’s College World Series team like Ryan Hagenow, Cameron O’Brien and Johnny Hummel graduated, though the Wildcats return a few relievers.
But all in all, it will be a new look on the mound this season. Kentucky brought in 10 pitchers via the transfer portal or junior college, and added seven pitchers via the 2024 high school recruiting. class. Of the transfers, Oliver Boone (California-Berkley) and Jaxon Jelkin (Houston) are expected to miss the 2025 season while recovering from injuries.
Despite having to replace much of its pitching production, Kentucky was fortunate to return pitching coach Dan Roszel for another season. Roszel enters his sixth season with Kentucky and has been a D1 pitching coach for over 20 seasons.
With so many new pitchers on this year’s team, it will be interesting to follow how the staff changes throughout the season. The following projections are based on intel gathered throughout fall practice through today. While this is just a projection to start the season, roles will inevitably change throughout the year. Just like any other year, some players will overperform while others underperform, leading to role changes.
Weekend rotation
Starting pitchers: RHP Nic McCay, LHP Ben Cleaver, LHP Ethan Walker
Outlook: Nic McCay, the 24-year-old transfer from South Dakota State, is not a surprise pick here. The expectation when McCay arrived at Kentucky was to win a starting role and bring tons of experience to a rotation in need of veterans. McCay, who has overcome multiple arm injuries in his college career, was always the favorite to win the Friday job. Look for him to get the ball against Lipscomb in the opener.