Kentucky’s Ryan Nicholson, Trey Pooser chosen on Day 2 of MLB Draft

Kentucky saw two more players taken on Day 2 of the 2024 MLB Draft Monday.

After the Tampa Bay Rays took second baseman Emilien Pitre in the second round (58th overall), the team used their 10th-round pick on pitcher Trey Pooser (No. 306 overall).

First baseman Ryan Nicholson was drafted in the 10th round (No. 292 overall) by the Los Angeles Angels — 14 spots before Pooser was chosen. Nicholson’s slot value is listed by MLB.com as $184,700; Pooser’s is listed as $180,300.

Nicholson transferred to Kentucky after spending three years at Cincinnati. He was a major contributor on a Wildcats team that reached the College World Series for the first time in school history. Nicholson hit .306 with a team-high 23 home runs and 63 RBIs in 59 games. He tied Kentucky’s single-season record for most home runs.

A native of Louisville, Nicholson finished with a 1.094 OPS and had several big moments in 2024, including his game-tying ninth-inning home run in the Wildcats’ College World Series debut against NC State. Kentucky went on to win in 10 innings on a walk-off home run from Mitchell Daly.

For his part, Pooser was another transfer into Nick Mingione’s program who excelled in 2024. The right-hander and former College of Charleston hurler became the Wildcats’ best pitcher, particularly down the stretch.

He tossed seven innings of one-run ball against Illinois in the Lexington Regional and following it up with seven shutout innings of one-hit ball in the opener of the Super Regional against Oregon State. Pooser ended the season 7-1 with a 3.50 ERA in 19 games (13 starts). He struck out 82 batters and walked 35 in 90 innings pitched.

Kentucky also saw two transfer portal additions selected on Day 2 of the draft in former Canisius outfielder Jackson Strong (seventh round by Detroit) and former Transylvania University infielder Trent Youngblood (10th round by Arizona).

Earlier in the draft, Ryan Waldschmidt was selected with the 31st overall pick by Arizona on Sunday. The 2024 MLB Draft will conclude Tuesday.