Junior Jerad Grundy, who was a 27th round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the Major League Baseball Draft this year will return to the University of Kentucky for his senior season:
"We are thrilled that Jerad has elected to return to Kentucky for his senior season," UK head coach Gary Henderson said. "Jerad had a tremendous first year here in Lexington and was a key part of one of the best pitching staffs in UK history. Jerad owns a great work ethic, is a tremendous team leader and has a great passion to improve. His decision to return to school will help him continue to progress in the best conference in the nation, will help further his development for professional baseball and will help him finish his degree."
As a weekend starter last year, Grundy had a 6-3 record in 16 starts with a 3.78 ERA, working 85.2 innings. Grundy will likely anchor the 2013 Wildcat starting rotation, and was the Saturday starter most series this year. Grundy had an outstanding post-season with a 2-0 record and a 1.5 ERA with an impressive 15 strikeouts in 12 innings of work.
Grundy joins 8 of the record 9 UK MLB draftees, who will be returning for the 2013 season with the Wildcats:
2013 Drafted Returnees
Greg Fettes, C (43rd round in 2011; Tigers)
Jerad Grundy, LHP (27th round in 2012; Twins)
Max Kuhn, IF (24th round in 2011; Athletics)
Corey Littrell, LHP (35th round in 2010; Nationals)
Taylor Martin, RHP (41st round in 2011; Rockies)
A.J. Reed, LHP/1B (25th round in 2011; Mets)
Matt Reida, IF (47th round in 2010; White Sox)
J.T. Riddle, IF (35th round in 2010; Red Sox)
Chandler Shepherd, RHP (41st round in 2011; White Sox)
Lucas Witt, OF (37th round in 2010; Dodgers)
In other baseball news, all five of Kentucky's outstanding freshman class decided to delay entry into the major leagues and play at UK. The UK incoming freshmen who were drafted, and their draft position, is as follows:
2013 Drafted Newcomers
Zach Arnold, C (27th round; Mets)
Kyle Cody, RHP (33rd round; Phillies)
Chase Mullins, LHP (24th round; Rangers)
Matt Pope, RHP (38th round; Pirates)
Casey Schroeder, C (21st round; Cardinals)
This is just terrific news for Gary Henderson and the Wildcats baseball staff. With this kind of talent returning, plus an excellent recruiting class for next year places the Bat Cats in position to challenge for an SEC title once again.