Kentucky’s Ben Cleaver Honored by Coaches Association

Kentucky ace left-hander Ben Cleaver was voted Second Team All-Region for the Midwest region by the American Baseball Coaches Association, it was announced. Cleaver developed into the Wildcats’ top starting pitcher during his sophomore season.

Cleaver, a Thompsons Station, Tennessee native, had a breakout campaign in 2025 and started the Wildcats’ opening game in the NCAA Clemson Regional. He finished the season 6-3 with a 3.25 earned run average in 83.0 innings over 15 starts. He allowed just 54 hits and struck out 92 while allowing just 10 extra base hits and holding opponents to a .185 batting average. He had a team-best seven quality starts (6+ IP, 3 or fewer earned runs).