Kentucky catcher Owen Jenkins entered his name into the transfer portal after one season with the program, a source confirmed to Bat Cats Central. Jenkins started 38 games between catcher and designated hitter in 2026 and slashed .242/.302/.315 with 36 hits, four doubles, two triples, one home run and 17 runs batted in. He missed 10 SEC games with an injury but returned for the Tennessee series at the start of May and started the final 14 games of the season.
A heralded recruit from Lexington Catholic, Jenkins spent most of his high school career committed to Louisville. He reopened his recruitment at the beginning of his senior year and considered Tennessee and Vanderbilt, but ultimately chose to remain in Lexington to play for the Wildcats. At the time of his commitment, Jenkins told Bat Cats Central that Kentucky's recent success, including its first trip to the College World Series just a few months earlier, played a role in his decision.
“You always want to go into a program that’s thriving,” Jenkins said. “Kentucky is definitely thriving at this point. Over the last three years, they’ve really turned it around. I would say that it takes time, especially for a new coaching staff. When Mingione came in, you have to get used to SEC baseball. You have to give them time. As time has gone on, they’ve gotten better. Where they’re at now is a really thriving program. I just want to keep that going.”
Behind-the-scenes talk in recent weeks suggested a parting could take place due to fit, and his decision to enter the portal did not come as a surprise to those around the program. Despite a paltry 55 wRC+ as a freshman, Jenkins' pedigree as a top high school prospect, starting experience in the SEC and enticing power/speed skill set for a catcher should give him a strong market in the transfer portal.
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But Kentucky was comfortable with how it played out and will look to reset at the catcher position next year. In addition to pursuing catchers in the portal, there's confidence that incoming freshman Carson May can compete for a starting spot in 2027, assuming he makes it through the MLB draft in July. May is ranked in the top 100 nationally by Perfect Game and is ranked among the top 5 catchers in high school baseball.
The transfer portal opened for all players on June 1. Kentucky's first commitment came last week from Akron graduate transfer Brody Chrisman.
More transfer portal additions are expected on Thursday. Outfielder Ryan Schwartz, who played in 49 games over the past two seasons, announced his decision to transfer on social media on Wednesday.
Derek Terry
