Devin Burkes, Ryder Giles Join Kentucky Staff
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Mr. Wildcat is back.
Devin Burkes, two-time winner of the University of Kentucky Athletics Department’s highest honor, is returning to the Bluegrass, joining the baseball program as a member of the staff, it was announced Thursday.
“It’s a blessing to be back to help the team and the state I love the most,” Burkes said.
Like fellow for Wildcat Ryder Giles who also is returning, his official title is still to be determined.
One of the most beloved players in program history, Burkes led the 2023 team to the school’s second Super Regional before delivering on his promise to take UK to its first College World Series a year later. He was the emotional and on-field leader for three the first three teams to make consecutive regionals.
A Bradenton, Florida native, Burkes started 177 of 190 games played and was one of Coach Nick Mingione’s most trusted players ever. Nicknamed “The Happiest Man in College Baseball” his name is etched all over the school’s career charts. He finished his career ranked in the all-time Top 10 in SAC flies and HBP and near them in runs, doubles, stolen bases, RBI and walks.
CAREER HONORS/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Mr. Wildcat (2024 & 2025, Top Male UK Athleticsaward)
- Most Outstanding Player, Lexington Regional (2023)
- All-Regional Team, Lexington Regional (2024, 2023)
- Co-National Player of the Week, 2/27/23 (Collegiate Baseball)
- Academic All-District (College Sports Communicators; 2025, 2024, 2023)
- SEC All-Tournament Team (2022)
- SEC Academic Honor Roll (2022, 2023, 2024)
- SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll (2021)
- Dean’s List (Fall 2022, 2021 2020; Spring 2023, 2022)
- College World Series participant (2024)
- Super Regional champion (2024)
- Lexington Regional champion (2023, 2024)
- SEC regular season champion (2024)
RYDER GILES ALSO RETURNING TO LEXINGTON
Former Kentucky pitcher Ryder Giles is returning to the Bluegrass, joining the baseball program as a member of the staff, it was announced Wednesday.
Giles also held a spot on the staff for the 2025 season before spending the 2026 season as an assistant at Elon. His official title is still to be determined but he is expected to help manage the Wildcats’ recruiting efforts.
Giles, from North Carolina, spent the 2023 season at Kentucky as a player and was a crucial piece in the Wildcats’ run to the Super Regional round. He made a team-high 25 appearances on the mound, going 1-1 with one save and a 3.93 earned run average in 18.1 innings.
