Hudson Brown Announces Return to Kentucky

Kentucky’s 2027 roster got a major jolt on Saturday when star first baseman Hudson Brown withdrew his name from consideration for the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft and announced his return to Lexington.

Brown, a redshirt sophomore, has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

The Olive Brach, Mississippi native enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2026 that likely would have been even better had he not missed a month of Southeastern Conference play while battling mononucleosis that caused him to lose more than 25 pounds on his 6-foot-6 frame.

Still, Brown was sensational in the heart of UK’s lineup and served as the Wildcats’ emotional leader. He batted .333 in 44 games with 36 runs, 12 doubles, seven home runs, 39 RBI and 16 HBP. He walked more times (28) than he struck out (27), stole five bases and produced a 1.028 OPS.

Brown nearly willed the Cats to a regional championship with two home runs in the winner-take-all game. He hit a solo home run off the Big XII Pitcher of the Year and then evaporated a 440-foot three-run blast with two outs in the eighth inning to help push the game to extra innings. In all, he finished 5-of-11, with four runs, six RBI, two home runs, three walks and four hit by pitch in four games. He also had a critical two-run single in the eighth inning of an earlier win in the regional.