2024 MLB Draft Review – Kentucky Makes its Mark
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The 2024 Major League Draft is in the books, one during which Kentucky saw two of its players selected in the first 60 overall picks for the first in history as part of seven overall picks in the 20-round event:
Total Selections
Kentucky had seven players selected in the 20-round draft, the third-most in a single year since Nick Mingione took over as head coach. The Wildcats saw four pitchers (Mason Moore, Dominic Niman, Trey Pooser and Travis Smith) and three position players (Ryan Nicholson, Emilien Pitre and Ryan Waldschmidt) selected, as well as infielder Mitchell Daly and Grant Smith signed as free agents. Mingione now has seen 43 of players drafted during his time at Kentucky led by a school-record 13 in 2018. UK was tied for the eighth-most selections of any program.
First 60 picks
Ryan Waldschmidt (31, Arizona) and Emilien Pitre (58, Tampa Bay) became the first pair of players in UK history selected in the first 60 overall picks. Waldschmidt was grabbed by the Diamondbacks and became the sixth-highest draft pick in school history, the third highest for Mingione at UK. Pitre’s overall versatile skill set landed him inside the second round. He signed with the Rays for just more than $1.5 million.
Transfers Last Three Years
Kentucky continues to have success on the field from mining the NCAA Transfer Portal but it also has shown a keen ability to #RecruitandDevelop from a base of players that mostly arrive from non-Power Five programs. Four of the seven Wildcats drafted in 2024 were transfers, as were both free agent signees. In fact, UK has had 14 players drafted or signed in the past three years who did not begin their career in Lexington, 13 of whom previously had not been drafted.
Rising Tide Lifts All Ships
Kentucky’s first-ever trip to the College World Series garnered a large amount of attention and undoubtedly helped shine the light on one of the top infields in the country. The group was part of the second-highest fielding percentage in school history and each one generated professional baseball opportunities for their play on the field. Ryan Nicholson (1B) and Emilien Pitre (2B) both were drafted in the first 10 rounds, while Grant Smith (SS) and Mitchell Daly (3B) were immediately signed to free agent contracts once the draft ended. In the past three years UK has had six players signed as free agents.
Mingione at UK in Draft
UK coach Nick Mingione now has seen 43 players drafted in just seven full drafts since his arrival in Lexington (2020 was shortened due to the Covid-19 pandemic). UK has had at least three players selected each season during that time and 22 in the first 10 rounds.
Future Wildcats
It wasn’t just the current roster that saw action during the draft, Kentucky’s 2024-25 team also was affected. UK saw six commitments/signees selected – five from the transfer portal and one from the high school ranks – a testament to the staff’s ability to identify talent. At this time their futures are unknown.
