Kentucky baseball adds another transfer in Texas shortstop Mitchell Daly

kentucky-baseball-adds-another-transfer-texas-shortstop-mitchell-daly — Photo via SARA DIGGINS/AMERICAN-STATESMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Nick Mingione is back on his portal grind.

On Friday, former Texas shortstop Mitchell Daly announced on Instagram that he has transferred to the University of Kentucky. After spending his first three college seasons with the Longhorns, Daly entered his name into the portal last week and wasted little time finding his new home in Lexington, where he will use his final year of eligibility.

Daly was lauded as a potential star during his freshman season at Texas, slashing 316/.413/.416 in 2021 and being named to the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-America second team. But the Madison, AL product’s stats dipped in years two and three. As a junior in 2023, he slashed .231/.323/.403 but still hit a career-high seven home runs before finding his rhythm for Texas during the postseason.

Where Daly earned his spot as a starter is on defense. The rising senior holds a career fielding percentage of .974. He’ll bring College World Series experience to the Wildcats after Texas made it deep into the 2022 NCAA Tournament. Daly was ranked as the No. 1 shortstop in Alabama by Perfect Game out of Bob Jones High School.

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Daly is the fourth transfer portal addition for Mingione’s squad heading into the 2024 season. He joins a trio of incoming ‘Cats that includes right-handed pitcher Trey Pooser (College of Charleston), outfielder Ty Crittenbeger (Western Kentucky), and third baseman Trey Paige (Delaware State).

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Kentucky has already lost a handful of players to the portal this offseason, although none were considered significant contributors in 2023. A handful of ‘Cats from this past season could have the opportunity to begin their professional careers this summer, as well.

With several key pieces from the 2023 team having graduated, reloading the roster through the portal once again might be a necessity for Mingione — who was successful with this method last offseason — if the program wants to maintain momentum heading into 2024 and build off this past season’s Super Regional appearance.

So far, so good.