Kentucky?s baseball program received its second top-25 recruiting class ranking this fall when Baseball America tabbed UK?s incoming class as No. 23 in the nation.

Head coach John Cohen welcomes 20 talented newcomers to the roster of the defending Southeastern Conference Champions. The recruiting class is anchored by a stable of young arms capable of contributing to the pitching staff and several talented infielders.

Two Gatorade state Player of the Year?s headline the class – Bellefontaine, Ohio native Chris Walden (RHP) and Paducah product Clint Tilford (RHP). Both are right-handers capable of having an immediate effect on the staff.

Among the other pitchers expected to step in early are Tyler Henry (RHP), Jason Chowning (RHP), James Paxton (LHP), and junior-college transfer Aaron Lovett (RHP). Henry expects to make a big impact on the staff with a fastball in the 90s and a solid breaking ball. Paxton is a southpaw with an excellent slider and a high 80s fastball. Lovett, a two-time MLB draft pick, is expected to compete for a weekend starting job after performing well in the Coastal Plain summer league this summer.

Infielders Neiko Johnson, Chris Wade, Brian Spear, and Sawyer Carroll are all likely to contend for playing time in the infield. Johnson is likely to anchor the second base position with Spear and Carroll manning the corner infield spots.

Junior-college transfer Tyler Howe is expected to split time with returning catcher Sean Coughlin and Kevin Bishop is expected to get playing time in the outfield.

Earlier this fall, UK was ranked as the No. 21 class nationally by Collegiate Baseball. In Cohen?s three recruiting classes, two have been in the top 25 with the 2005 class narrowly missing the top-25 despite the presence of SEC Player of the Year Ryan Strieby (20 HR/77RBI) and second-team All-SEC catcher Sean Coughlin (17 HR/55 RBI).