For Kentucky baseball in 2025, its bullpen will be made up of returnees, transfers and even a few freshmen. 

Last season the bullpen delivered in more than one way from eating innings after a bad starting performance or nailing down some of the biggest wins in program history. 

Two of the most prominent players from that bullpen were former closer Johnny “Lighting” Hummel and all-time program appearances leader Cameron O’ Brien, who are both no longer with the program. 

While those two are major losses, some of the familiar faces that remain will serve as anchors for this year’s staff. 

The first of those returners is Robert Hogan, who is in his second year in the program and looking to build on a stellar breakout season in 2024. 

Down the stretch in the Bat Cats’ run to Omaha, Hogan was on the mound and giving multiple inning outings just about every time out. 

All in all, he finished the year with a 3.10 ERA in 40.2 innings with 42 strikeouts and opponents hit .174 off the right-hander. 

Hogan, or his nickname “Bobby Spins,” is poised to be an even bigger part of the pitching staff for this year’s team. 

Hogan earned some preseason honors as he was voted to the 2025 preseason All-SEC second team. 

Also, Hogan was one of two Wildcats named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year watchlist. 

Another returner who pitched in big moments last year is Jackson Nove. The lefty tossed 30.2 innings in which he struck out 23 and accumulated a 6.16 ERA with opponents hitting .223 off Nove. 

Rounding out the familiar faces is Evan Byers, who returns for his final season. It was a delayed start to the year for the lefty as he dealt with injury struggles, but ultimately, he finished with a 4.72 ERA in his 26.2 innings of work while also striking out 23 batters. Opposing hitters finished with an average of .287 off of Byers. 

Head Coach Nick Mingione and his staff have had a huge amount of success with the transfer portal in recent years, and the bullpen has the potential to be one of the biggest winners of this year’s class. 

The headliner of this year’s class is Indiana State closer Simon Gregersen. 

This may not be the first time Big Blue Nation has heard this name as Gregersen pitched 2.2 scoreless innings at Kentucky Proud Park against the Wildcats in the Lexington Regional. 

Now dawning the Kentucky blue and white, Gregersen brings closer type stuff from the right side. 

Nicknamed “Simon Says,” Gregersen pitched to a 4.86 ERA with 46 strikeouts and seven saves. Opponents hit .210 off of the former Sycamore. 

Gregersen is the other Wildcat found on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist.

Another transfer that could be primed for a big role is Cole Hentschel who joins the team as the Atlantic 10 conference with eight saves. On the year, he pitched 31.2 innings in relief. 

Scott Rouse was the first transfer to make his 2025 season debut as he pitched two scoreless innings of relief in the team’s 11-0 mercy rule win over Lipscomb.

Another specialty of Mingone and Co. has been incorporating youth into the team. 

Last season on the pitching side, Ben Cleaver made the most out of his few bullpen opportunities after an injury-filled year and really made a mark as he will be a weekend starter heading into the 2025 season.

Nonetheless, the first freshman to watch is Nate Harris. The righty comes to Lexington out of Yorkville, Illinois where Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 9 player in the state of Illinois. 

The next name to watch is Leighton Harris, a left-hander from Frederick Douglass High School here in Lexington. 

While exact usage is unknown, Kentucky’s bullpen will be built on experience and some youth for the 2025 season.