Hjelle Looks to Set Higher Bars, Lead Cats to Omaha

When Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione moved Sean Hjelle from the bullpen to the starting rotation last season, no one was really sure what to expect. Even the most optimistic Kentucky baseball fans could not have predicted how well the move would work out.

Hjelle posted a sparkling 11-4 record, including a 7-1 mark in the SEC in 2017. He had a 3.89 ERA and became the first UK pitcher to ever be named SEC Pitcher of the Year.

Now a junior, Hjelle is back and ready to add to his impressive sophomore campaign. The 6-11 right-hander from White Bear Lake, Minnesota, did not let his success go to his head. Instead, Hjelle spent his summer in Lexington working with the Kentucky baseball and strength staffs, which allowed him to gain twenty pounds and alter his change-up for the approaching season.

Despite his outstanding season in 2017, Hjelle was forced to earn his spot as the Friday night starter again this season. While many players might have balked at the idea of having to earn their spot back, especially after being the SEC Pitcher of the Year, Hjelle embraced the challenge.

“Like Coach (Mingione) said, nothing is guaranteed and I am not necessarily the Friday night starter,” Hjelle said. “So, that has to be my mentality. There is no outside pressure. The pressure that we put on ourselves is to win in Omaha. “

In Hjelle’s opinion, he is still earning his spot, knowing that he must maintain the same level of focus in order to have the success he did in 2017, when he pitched 108.2 innings, including 80.1 innings in conference play. Hjelle held SEC teams to online an average of 2.58 earned runs per outing.

According to Mingione, the entire pitching staff should give Kentucky a distinct advantage this season.

“When you look at the amount of innings we have back, it is a really talented deep staff,” Mingione said. “There is definitely some talent and depth there and one that I believe gives us a chance to make a run and to win the whole thing.”

Hjelle agrees with his head coach’s assessment.

“I’m convinced that at a minimum we are going to be the best in the SEC. I think for sure we should be a top five team in the country, pitching staff in the country as well. Just the talent on this pitching staff and team as a whole is just unmatched so I’m very confident in this entire team especially our pitching staff.”

If the Cats are to make their first trip to Omaha for the College World Series, Hjelle will play a key part in making that happen.