Louisville transfer Tagger Tyson commits to Kentucky
Tyson slashed .296/.370/.481 with 10 doubles, one triple and one home run in 33 games at Louisville in 2025. He has the ability to play catcher and all four corner spots.
Kentucky added a player from the transfer portal on Saturday morning who has the ability to catch, as well as provide defensive versatility in the corner spots. Louisville transfer Tagger Tyson told Bat Cats Central on Friday night that his conversations with Kentucky’s coaching staff ultimately led to his decision to choose the Wildcats.
“Every conversation, I was like ‘man, these guys are so easy to talk to.’ They really know what they’re doing and they know the game on top of being great people,” Tyson said. “I thought it’s exactly the kind of fit I’m looking for in my next school to help me get better and have a fun time winning.”
Tyson primarily backed up starting catcher Matt Klein, but entered the lineup after Klein broke a bone in his left hand on March 22. He slashed .296/.370/.481 with 10 doubles, one triple and one home run in 33 games. In ACC play, Tyson played in 15 games and produced in his small sample size, slashing .366/.386/.585 with six doubles, one home run and 10 RBIs. Tyson missed some time as well with a head injury and played sparingly after that. Klein returned for postseason play.
“We had a great catcher, great hitting catcher in Matt Klein who was really good offensively,” Tyson said. “At the beginning of the year, I was splitting time, maybe catching once or twice a week. And then he ended up getting hurt, so I really started every game for a while and did really well. I dealt with a head injury that sidelined me for a week or two, and it was something where I came back and felt great the first game and I started against Notre Dame and went two for four with a double. And then just never really got a start the rest of the season. It was kind of just pinch hits here and there and coming into catch here and there. It was a little confusing, but I definitely think I learned a lot from it. I learned a lot about myself mentally.”
Tyson received a pinch-hit at-bat in the College World Series against Coastal Carolina once the game had gotten out of hand. That game, which was played on June 18, was the first at-bat for Tyson since May 20 against Pittsburgh. Tyson singled in his lone plate appearance in Omaha.
“I like to tell people that my pinch-hit single in Omaha shows, in my opinion, the growth that I had, where before going through that and not playing and not understanding why, I would’ve tried to do too much and kinda lost some confidence,” Tyson said. “It was my first at-bat in a while, and I was like ‘yeah, I’m going to get a hit. I don’t care if this dude is throwing 94, 95 and I haven’t seen a live at-bat in three weeks, I’m going to get a hit.’ So for me, it really showed the mental growth I went through and I’m pretty proud of that hit.”
But Tyson said his time at Louisville helped him grow as a player. He said he had grown mentally and learned what it takes to achieve success as a college baseball player. Getting the opportunity to play on a team that reached the College World Series can also add experience to a Kentucky roster that is hoping to return to the College World Series for the second time in three seasons.
“I think it’ll definitely help me, going through the whole struggle and grind of a season, especially in a conference like the ACC, I think is going to prepare me well for the SEC,” Tyson said. “Obviously, we played Kentucky and Vanderbilt this year, so those were good experiences too, but I think Omaha, just getting there and getting your feet wet there. I got a pinch-hit single, so that was cool. I got to experience what it was like to be in the box there with 25,000 fans. We were one of the final four teams left, so I think it’s prepared me for what’s next.”
Tyson recently joined the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League. Friday night was his first game, and he drew a walk at the plate while going 0-2. He played first base.
There’s an increasing likelihood that high school catcher signee Jase Mitchell of Delaware is likely to be selected in the top 10 rounds of the MLB draft and sign a professional contract. So while Tyson adds experience behind the dish, he can also play first base, third base and even the corner outfield spots.
Tyson, who will have three years of eligibility remaining, said at this point in his career, he feels most advanced with his bat-to-ball skills. He prides himself on having tough at-bats and being a tough out at the plate.
“I’m just super excited, super pumped for the opportunity,” Tyson said. “It’s kinda funny because if you’d asked me a month ago where I’d be going, I would’ve in a million years never guessed this. But God works in amazing ways, and I’m super blessed and super thankful for this opportunity.”
Incoming transfer portal commitments (12)
RHP Kaden Echeman* (Northern Kentucky)
RHP Burkley Bounds (Eastern Kentucky)
RHP Jack Bennett* (Western Kentucky)
RHP Bryson Treichel (North Florida)
RHP Ryan Mullan* (Loyola Marymount)
INF Tyler Cerny* (Indiana)
RHP Connor Mattison (Grand Canyon)
C Alex Duffey* (Elon)
RHP Ira Austin* (New Orleans)
OF Scott Campbell* (USC Upstate)
LHP Jackson Soucie* (South Carolina)
C Tagger Tyson (Louisville)
* indicates that player is eligible for the 2025 MLB Draft.