Arizona Diamondbacks select Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt in 2024 MLB Draft

Former Kentucky outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt has been selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the PPI round with the No. 31 pick of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Waldschmidt played 59 games for the Wildcats this past season, making 55 starts. The junior finished Kentucky’s historic season batting .333 to go with an 1.079 OPS across 213 at-bats. The Florida-native scored 66 runs across 71 hits, finishing second on the team in home runs with 14. He rounded that out with 46 RBIs and 41 walks. This was improved from his 2023 numbers, which saw him bat .290 with an .872 OPS in 200 at bats over 59 games

His 25 steals were the second-most in the Nick Mingione era while his 66 runs ranked third in the program since 2017. He hit over .400 across two seasons of SEC play.

“Every weekend you’re playing top competition,” Waldschmidt said during an appearance on MLB Tonight. “You’re playing the best of the best every weekend. There’s no inning you ever take off, there’s no play you can ever take off because the other team is going to capitalize on it.”

Waldschmidt did tear his ACL during his time playing in the Cape Cod League in 2023, which limited him during the non-conference stretch of his last season at Kentucky. However, he came back in a big way by being one of the best bats on the ‘Cats roster this season. He entered the NCAA Tournament with an impressive slash of .357/.487/.654.

“Few players in this Draft can match Waldschmidt’s ability to make contact, avoid chasing pitches and produce high exit velocities,” his MLB Draft scouting report reads. “He has a very patient approach and a quick right-handed stroke that looks less uphill than it did in his first season with the Wildcats. He uses the entire field but also has an affinity for driving balls in the air to his pull side.”

The scouting report also notes that Waldschmidt has improved his run times in the outfield, but is “tentative at times.” Perhaps a move to center field could benefit thanks to his quickness. He has proven to be a versatile defender, however, as he primarily played third base during his lone season at Charleston.

He transferred to Kentucky after his freshman season in 2022. Now, Waldschmidt leaves Lexington to pursue his dream of playing in the big leagues as the newest Wildcat to be drafted into the MLB.