What to watch for at Kentucky's open scrimmage

CR3_5684A.CR3 — University of Kentucky Baseball vs. Louisville at Kentucky Proud Park on April 22, 2025 - Crawford Ifland, Kentucky Sports Radio

A huge weekend in Lexington starts now. Keeneland, the Blue-White Game at Historical Memorial Coliseum, and the Cats vs. another Manning at Kroger Field are getting most of the attention but that’s not the only big even occurring on campus. Over at Kentucky Proud Park, Nick Mingione’s club is opening the doors to allow the Big Blue Nation to get an early look at the 2026 Bat Cats.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET/5:45 p.m. CT.

Reminder that TONIGHT'S free and open scrimmage now will have a 6:45 p.m. ET first pitch.

It is part of Alumni Weekend so be on the lookout for some of your favorite Wildcats at KPP!#WeAreUK pic.twitter.com/1lGfUcPYmL
— Kentucky Baseball (@UKBaseball) October 17, 2025

Some former baseball players will be in town as the Big Blue Nation gets a chance to get an early look at a UK team that enters the season with sky-high expectations. This is what KSR will be watching closely.

Tyler Bell in year two

Tyler Bell was a massive recruiting win for Kentucky in the 2024 high school cycle. Nick Mingione and his staff convinced the Illinois shortstop to turn down the Tampa Bay Rays after a second-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft and use college baseball to become a first-round pick.

He is on the right path.

Bell batted .296 with an OPS over .900 as a true freshman. The rookie led the team in doubles (17) and runs (51) while also adding 10 home runs, 11 steals, and 35 walks/HBPs. This young phenom was the only player on the roster to hit over .300 in SEC play. The big recruit quickly became Kentucky’s best player.

How good could he get?

Friday night will be an opportunity for fans to see Bell and how he’s grown as a player since last season. Kentucky will ask the sophomore to carry a heavy load on offense and will need him to become a true star. We saw star potential last year. There’s a chance UK might just have one of the best players in the country at shortstop.

Enjoy him while he’s here.

New starting pitcher

Ben Cleaver (6-3, 3.25 ERA, 83 IP) and Nate Harris (5-2, 4.25 ERA, 59.1 IP) both return after appearing in Kentucky’s weekend rotation as underclassmen in 2025. The program is invested in them taking a jump and having even better seasons this spring. But a new addition to weekend rotation could raise this team’s ceiling.

Jaxon Jelkin chucking 98 this fall is huge for @UKBaseball. Missed last season due to injury but struck out 46 in 34.1 innings at Houston in 2024

Big arm for the Cats this upcoming season and could make their weekend rotation even more dangerouspic.twitter.com/BBfnQOmXFU
— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) October 9, 2025

Jaxon Jelkin has spent time at junior college with other stops at Nebraska, Houston, and Kentucky during his collegiate career. After sitting out last season with an injury, Jelkin is now throwing for UK and has been clocked between 96-99 mph with a sinker that could do some major damage in the SEC. This was a high-ceiling addition by the Kentucky staff in the portal. He could change this team’s outlook this season.

Jelkin has first-round stuff if he can stay healthy. The multi-time transfer is a big-time arm that could change things for Kentucky this season.

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A closer look at the transfer portal haul

Nick Mingione’s staff again went to work in the transfer portal during the offseason. The Bat Cats added double-digit free agents again this offseason. Here are a few to keep a close eye on.

— Jack Bennett (RHP | WKU): Weekend starter in C-USA who has eaten 171.1 innings in 55 career games with time spent as a starter and in relief.

— Tyler Cerny (INF | Indiana): The Big Ten transfer was a third-team all-conference performer in 2024 when he started games at second base and shortstop. Cerny batted .281 with 10 home runs and will be a mainstay in UK’s lineup this year.

— Alex Duffey (C/INF | Elon): The all-conference performer batted .349 last season and could play multiple defensive positions.

— Will Marcy (OF | NC State): A centerfielder who is coming off an injury has twice batted over .300. Former Memphis transfer has a career OPS over .800.

— Jayce Tharnish (OF | St. Bonaventure): An All-Atlantic 10 performer will be asked to provide some power to Kentucky’s lineup. Tharnish batted over .400 last season and is major threat on the bases. The offseason addition shined in UK’s scrimmage against West Virginia.