Nick Mingione Locked In a Top 10 Transfer Portal Class for Kentucky Baseball

Kentucky-dominates-Clemson-clinch-spot-Regional-Final — Kentucky's Nick Mingione (Photo via UK Athletics)

Things move a little slower in August. Preseason football is the only thing in the sports world moving the needle, outside of baseball. While the Boys of Summer try to position themselves for a playoff push, Nick Mingione has a moment to relax. The Kentucky baseball coach has earned it after a busy summer.

As soon as the Wildcats’ season ended in the Regional Finals, roster-building season began. Just as the case in football and basketball, the first priority is retention, then acquisition in free agency.

After reaching the College World Series for the first time in program history, Kentucky found success in 2025 thanks to some talented young players. Mingione kept that nucleus in place by keeping SS Tyler Bell, LHP, Ben Cleaver, OF Ryan Schwartz, and RHP Nate Harris in Lexington.

After checking that box, Mingione checked many more in free agency. According to 64Analytics, Kentucky had the nation’s No. 8 transfer portal class by adding 13 players to the Bat Cats’ roster.

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Scott Campbell was a First-Team Big South selection last fall after the outfielder batted .388 and hit 11 dingers. Former Indiana infielder Tyler Cerny and pitcher Connor Mattison were Top 40 players in the transfer portal. Mattison is one of eight pitchers adding depth to the Bat Cats’ bullpen next spring.

Kentucky baseball has reached new heights under Nick Mingione. Following this offseason, it’s clear the head coach is making the right moves to not only sustain success, but take Kentucky to the next level.