Projecting Kentucky's 2027 lineup post-fall
With fall baseball wrapped up, here's how Bat Cats Central views the positional lineup based on how the last few weeks played out.
An eventful October came to an end for the Kentucky baseball team with an exhibition rout against Morehead State. After several weeks of practice and intrasquad games throughout the back half of September, the Wildcats played in four exhibition games – a new change this fall because of an approved NCAA rule – which allowed spectators to see more innings than normal against outside competition.
Bat Cats Central was on hand for all four exhibitions (nine of 14 innings for Xavier and Morehead State and the entirety of Cincinnati and Indiana) and our staff covered all but two intrasquad scrimmages throughout the fall.
Today's story projects where the position players stand coming out of fall practice. This is just my best guess at where things stand positionally after the past two months. Designated hitter is not included.
A few position battles still aren't settled after fall practice and could continue into the season. In fact, history shows that many different players will ultimately get a chance to stick in the lineup, and the Opening Day lineup is unlikely to last throughout the season.
Catcher
Starter: Carson May
Backups: Riley Jackson, Brayden Ricketts
Why this is the projection: Catcher is the hardest position to forecast after fall practice for the second straight year. Brayden Ricketts got the nod in the Wildcats' first exhibition against Cincinnati, but he broke a finger on his throwing hand and missed the rest of the fall. Ricketts might have been the frontrunner if he hadn't been injured, but it's hard to project him as the starter when the other options went through a full practice schedule. Not Ricketts' fault, of course, and I expect he will get his shot behind the plate early in the season.
That left the decision between Riley Jackson and Carson May. Jackson might get the nod because of his experience, but it's worth noting that he has not always been a full-time catcher in his career (nor has Ricketts). May had an impressive fall, and the Wildcats' coaching staff showed last year they're not afraid to put a freshman behind the dish if they feel he's the best option.
I think all three will play – and Jackson is a good DH and backup first baseman candidate even if he's not catching – but I'm going with May for now.
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