Kentucky pitcher Holt Jones picked by Miami Marlins in 14th round of MLB Draft

Three Bat ‘Cats had their names called throughout the 2021 MLB Draft.

The good news began in the third round when John Rhodes went to the Baltimore Orioles and it continued with Austin Schultz going in the 10th round to the Detroit Tigers. A class of 2021 Kentucky commitment who had yet to make it on campus, Jackson Merrill, was also drafted, getting picked in the first round with the 27th overall pick by the San Diego Padres.

To close out the three-day event, Kentucky right-handed pitcher Holt Jones was drafted in the 14th round by the Miami Marlins with the 419th overall pick. The Marlins have now selected six Bat ‘Cats since 2015.

Hey @Marlins fans, you're getting a psycho on the mound. And we mean that in the most affectionate way possible. @holtjones_ is one of a kind. 😂

cc: @marlinsminors pic.twitter.com/ROLne4sr68

— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) July 14, 2021

Jones is a rising fourth-year junior from Santa Monica, California, who came to Lexington at the end of the 2020 season following a transfer from Clemson. Despite spending just one season as a Bat ‘Cat, the 6-foot-8 tower of a pitcher ranked second on the team in appearances at 20 with a fastball that can hit the upper 90s. He went 1-0 in 2021 including one save in 28.1 innings pitched. Jones recorded 26 strikeouts, held opposing batters to a .267 average, and allowed 28 hits.

Since taking over as head coach back in 2017, Nick Mingione has now produced 27 total MLB Draft picks.