Buzz continues to build for Kentucky baseball heading into 2026
The college baseball season is still two months away but the hype continues to slowly build for Nick Mingione’s latest team at Kentucky. There are many returnee pieces and another strong transfer portal class ready to go to work at Kentucky Proud Park. The Wildcats will be expected to contend in the Southeastern Conference and perhaps make another run to the College World Series after making a school-record three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2023-25.
College baseball’s national media is starting to take notice. Mingione’s program has earned some respect heading into 2026.
“This roster looks really good,” D1 Baseball’s Joe Healy said in a recent podcast previewing Kentucky. “And that’s just not something we’ve discussed with about Kentucky before.”
“We’re gonna have ’em ranked, we’re gonna have ’em ranked pretty high. I think people will be actually a little surprised by how high we might have them ranked.”
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WATCH HERE: “The Highway to Hoover” preview of Kentucky baseball
In the episode with Healy and Aaron Fitt, the D1 Baseball crew discusses Kentucky starting rotation, bullpen depth, Tyler Bell’s star potential, Luke Lawrence’s overall two-way value, the catcher battle, and what the starting outfield could look like. Mingione has built a deep roster with some pitching depth and many intriguing pieces to plug into the lineup. Kentucky appears to have the pieces in place to make a run at some hardware in 2026.
A highly anticipated season is right around the corner. Many are excited about what this year’s team could become thanks to some returning star power and a fun transfer class.
Kentucky’s 2026 baseball schedule
| Game Date | Opponent | Venue |
| Feb. 13-15 | at UNC Greensboro | UNCG Baseball Stadium |
| Feb. 17 | vs. Morehead State | Kentucky Proud Park |
| Feb. 20-22 | at Evansville | Charles H. Braun Stadium |
| Feb. 24 | vs. WKU | Kentucky Proud Park |
| Feb. 27-March 1 | vs. St. John’s | Kentucky Proud Park |
| March 3 | at Eastern Kentucky | Turkey Hughes Field |
| March 4 | vs. Eastern Kentucky | Kentucky Proud Park |
| March 6-8 | vs. The Citadel | Kentucky Proud Park |
| March 10 | vs. Ball State | Kentucky Proud Park |
| March 13-15 | vs. Alabama | Kentucky Proud Park |
| March 17 | vs. Marshall | Kentucky Proud Park |
| March 19-21 | at Ole Miss | Swayze Field |
| March 24 | vs. Murray State | Kentucky Proud Park |
| March 27-29 | at LSU | Alex Box Stadium |
| March 31 | vs. Miami (Ohio) | Kentucky Proud Park |
| April 3-5 | vs. Missouri | Kentucky Proud Park |
| April 7 | vs. Louisville | Kentucky Proud Park |
| April 10-12 | at Auburn | Plainsman Park |
| April 17-19 | vs. Vanderbilt | Kentucky Proud Park |
| April 21 | at Louisville | Jim Patterson Stadium |
| April 24-26 | at South Carolina | Founders Park |
| May 1-3 | vs. Tennessee | Kentucky Proud Park |
| May 8-10 | at Florida | Condron Ballpark |
| May 12 | vs. Northern Kentucky | Kentucky Proud Park |
| May 14-16 | vs. Arkansas | Kentucky Proud Park |
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