Cats and future Cats ink professional baseball deals

Four Kentucky Wildcats and one future Cat selected in the MLB Draft have signed professional contracts, headlined most recently by Warren East stud Hunter Green who signed on Saturday. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels, after being picked in the 2nd round, 59th overall, of this year’s draft. Green was a Kentucky commit and had he chosen not to go pro out of high school, would have been destined for the University. He will forego his collegiate career and is expected to sign with the Angels for $942,000. Green is a huge talent and boasts an impressive low-90s fastball with movement. He will begin his career in the rookie-level Arizona League. Four other three- and four-year collegiate talents at UK were picked by MLB teams, including southpaw and Louisville native Corey Littrell. The Boston Red Sox picked Littrell in the 5th round and inked his deal for $300,000. Littrell spent three years in Lexington working as a starting pitcher. Former Wildcats closer and Tates Creek High School product Trevor Gott signed with the San Diego Padres, skipping his senior season at Kentucky. Gott was drafted in the 6th round, but his signing bonus is not known. The value for the 178th slot is estimated to be $242,900. A second UK lefty, Jerad Grundy, was taken in the 10th round of the MLB Draft and he has signed with the Oakland A’s. Grundy finished his college career at UK after transferring from Heartland Community College before playing his freshman season at the University of Miami (Fla.). Gundy’s signing bonus wasn’t announced, but the value for the 311th slot is estimated to be $135,300. Finally, three-year starter at second base, J.T. Riddle, has signed his professional contract. After being drafted in the 13th round by the Miami Marlins, Riddle will begin his career with the short-season New York-Penn League affiliate of Miami, the Batavia Muckdogs. Riddle was the 382nd selection in the draft. Only UK commit Clinton Hollon has yet to sign a deal from those associated with Kentucky. Hollon hails from Woodford Co. High School and was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2nd round, with the 47th overall pick. He would sign for an estimated $1,168,200.