June 10, 2015

LEXINGTON, Ky. — After leading the Southeastern Conference in hits during the regular season, Kentucky junior centerfielder Kyle Barrett has been selected in the 15th round in the 2015 MLB Draft, going No. 446 overall, by the Miami Marlins, it was announced on Wednesday afternoon.

A native of Douglasville, Ga., Barrett joins Kentucky teammates Kyle Cody (Second Round; Twins) and Ka’ai Tom (Fifth Round; Indians) as Wildcats to be picked in the 2015 MLB Draft.

Barrett, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound left-handed hitter had a prolific season in 2015 as UK’s everyday centerfielder and leadoff dynamo. Barrett hit .354 in 53 games, with his 84 hits pacing the SEC in the regular season. He finished with 12 doubles, three triples, one homer and 26 RBI, stealing seven bases.

During his junior year, Barrett reached base safely in 44 of his 52 starts and reached base safely in 111 of his 129 games.

In his three-year career, Barrett has totaled a .324 average with 106 runs, 174 hits, 22 doubles, four triples and two homers, driving in 59 runs and stealing 21 bases. With 174 hits in his career, Barrett ranks 22nd in UK history.

Barrett was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2013 after hitting .349 to lead the club, adding 14 RBI and four steals. In 2014, Barrett batted .253 with six doubles, one homer and 19 RBI, swiping 10 bases. During the 2014 summer, Barrett was named the starting centerfielder for the Cape Cod League All-Star Game.

Kentucky has had a program-record 41 players drafted or sign a professional contract in the seven years of the UK head coach Gary Henderson era. Since Henderson and recruiting coordinator Brad Bohannon arrived on campus in 2004, Kentucky has had 63 players drafted or sign a professional contract, including 21 in the first-10 rounds. Barrett is the 126th player in UK history to be picked in the MLB Draft.

The 2015 MLB Draft concludes on Wednesday, going through 40 rounds.