Nick Mingione breaks down incoming position player class

Bat Cats Central caught up with Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione to recap roster changes over the summer and to preview fall practice. This is the first of several to come from the interview.

By the numbers, Kentucky brought in eight pitchers from the transfer portal compared to five position players. The Wildcats returned a solid core of position players from the 2025 team, but there were still needed additions, particularly at catcher.

Prior to the MLB draft in July, Kentucky had commitments from Elon transfer Alex Duffey and high school catchers Owen Jenkins and Jase Mitchell. But with Mitchell increasingly looking like a draft selection – he signed with the Houston Astros after being drafted in the seventh round – the Wildcats added Louisville transfer Tagger Tyson the day before the draft began. Tyson has versatility to play a few other positions – as does Jenkins – but adding depth to the catching situation was one of the biggest priorities of the offseason.

"We needed to be able to add at least two guys there," Mingione said. "There was a chance that we could only have one. If Owen gets drafted and Duffey gets drafted, we’re sitting there with one catcher and (Ryan) Schwartz, who wants to play more outfield and could easily catch. He’s a very gifted catcher. But we felt like we needed to add catcher depth."

Duffey was one of the top targets for Kentucky's coaching staff in the offseason. He steadily improved each year offensively and defensively at Elon, slashing .349/.463/.479 as a redshirt junior in 2025 and earning All-CAA Second Team honors. He'll be a veteran presence behind the dish for the 2026 team.

Mingione said that Jenkins would start out as a catcher but would spend some time in the outfield once scrimmages begin later in the fall.

"Early on, the emphasis will be behind the plate," Mingione said. "Owen is a guy who, if he wanted to play professional baseball, he absolutely could have. But he chose to be here and be a part of what we have. I’m excited about him. His athleticism is just off the charts.”