Top 3 reasons why Kentucky could win 2024 College World Series
Kentucky made the 2024 College World Series for the first time after sweeping the regional and super regional. The No. 2 seed Wildcats were grouped in the second bracket with No. 3 seed Texas A&M Aggies, 10th-ranked NC State Wolfpack and surprise entrants Florida Gators.
Kentucky won its first-round clash with NC State, 5-4, in 10 innings but fell to Texas A&M, 5-1, in the next. The loss relegated the Nick Mingione-coached squad to the losers' bracket, where they will play fellow SEC groupmates, Florida.
The winner of the do-or-die clash will make it to the semifinals and play the Aggies — who will have a twice-to-beat advantage — for a spot in the College World Series finals.
3 reasons why Kentucky could win the 2024 College World Series
#3. Dynamic offense
Kentucky's offense is dynamic, as it can score runs in a variety of ways. They have five players who are in the upper .900s of on-base plus slugging percentage — Nick Lopez, Ryan Waldschmidt, Ryan Nicholson, Mitchell Daly and Emilien Pitre.
Lopez, Waldschmidt, Nicholson, Daly and Pitre combine for 265 runs and 59 home runs this season. Aside from the five Kentucky stars, Devin Burkes and Nolan McCarthy offer instant offense when needed. Burkes and McCarthy have contributed 92 runs this season for the Wildcats.
#2. Excellent pitching
The Wildcats' pitching corps is capable of silencing the opposition. The trio of Mason Moore, Trey Pooser and Dominic Niman combined for 24 wins and 231 strikeouts this season for Kentucky.
They also have a good relief pitching crew that can produce saves in crucial situations. Johnny Hummel leads the team in saves with seven and Ryan Hagenow is close behind with three.
#1. Efficient baserunning
Kentucky is known for its excellence in baserunning, with three of its players tallying at least 19 stolen bases.
Emilien Pitre leads the team with 26 SBs, Ryan Waldschmidt is second with 24; and Emilien Pitre has 19. Mitchell Daly, Nolan McCarthy and James McCoy have 26 SBs combined. All in all, the Wildcats have 119 stolen bases this season, 25 more than their 2023 season mark.