Ryan Nicholson – Syndication Server

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

In addition to Emilien Pitre, Kentucky saw two more players drafted Monday.

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.

Ryan Nicholson was named the Lexington Regional Most Outstanding Player

Kentucky baseball player Ryan Nicholson named as Lexington Regional Most Outstanding Player.

Kentucky baseball had a good weekend, sweeping the Lexington Regional, defeating all three of the other teams, including a 5 – 0 win over Indiana State in the final. Several individual players had good performances in the three games, and Ryan Nicholson played well enough to be named Most Outstanding Player.

Wildcats pitching was the key to winning the final two games, and the offense was held in check in large part. However, Nicholson did some timely damage for the Cats.

Related: Ryan Waldschmidt projected to be first round draft pick

Over the course of the three wins, Nicholson had three hits, and two of them were homeruns. He also drove in four runs over the weekend.

Nicholson had a terrific season overall. He posted a .290 average, with 20 homeruns and 58 RBIs. He was especially effective down the stretch, and has had at least one hit in seven of his last eight games.

Kentucky moves on the super regionals where they will face Oregon State. If the Wildcats want to advance to College World Series for the first time, they’ll need Nicholson to continue to hit the ball well.

Ryan Nicholson drives in five as Kentucky sweeps Alabama

Ryan Nicholson homers twice as Kentucky sweeps Alabama

The Kentucky Wildcats faced off this weekend in a three-game series with a ranked Alabama Crimson Tide team. On Sunday, behind Ryan Nicholson’s five RBIs, the Cats completed the sweep.

Kentucky started hot, scoring three runs in the second inning. Alabama scored one in the third to close the gap, but the Nicholson hit a two-run homer in their half of the third. In the seventh, Nicholson struck again, this time with a three-run bomb. The Wildcats would tack on a few more and win 10 – 1.

Nicholson was the star, going 3-for-5 with two homeruns and five RBIs. Emilien Pitre also had three hits and drove in two, while Ryan Walschmidt, Nick Lopez, and Nolan McCarthy also had two hits apiece.

The pitching was strong again on Sunday, with Mason Moore giving up just four hits and one run in seven innings of work. Jackson Nove pitched the last two innings and surrendered just one hit.

The Wildcats move on to a mid-week game with Samford on Tuesday. Then it’s back to SEC play, with a road series against the Auburn Tigers. Game one will be Thursday at 7:30 PM ET and will be on ESPNU.