With just one series remaining in the regular season, freshman right fielder Ryan Schwartz is emerging in the middle of Kentucky’s lineup.
Schwartz, who has totaled a hit in six of his last eight games, belted his first career home run in Kentucky’s 6-1 win over Northern Kentucky Tuesday night. The freshman is now hitting for a .318 average in 44 at-bats this season.
“He had surgery in the offseason and he just didn’t come back as probably fast as he wanted to, but boy has he just continued to give us competitive at-bats,” Nick Mingione said about Schwartz on Tuesday. “I’m proud of him because he’s waited, he got healthy and now he’s taking advantage of the opportunity. He’s done a great job offensively and defensively and he doesn’t play or act like a freshman. Proud of him for that.”
The Indian Trail, NC native, who was the No. 128 ranked player in the Class of 2024, originally committed to Texas but flipped to Kentucky in the offseason. Since his placement into the starting lineup on April 18 at No. 4 Tennessee, the ‘Cats are 8-6 in games he’s played in.
“It’s been crazy strides,” Schwartz said about his season following his four-RBI performance against No. 17 Oklahoma on April 10. “I had surgery in the offseason and it was a super long recovery. Even back in February, I had a couple of bats off the bench and my wrist was still hurting a little bit. It was not until a week or so before the Tennessee game when I got my first start that it started feeling better.”
Schwartz gives Kentucky great flexibility this season and in the future, as he can play multiple positions. This season, he’s already started games at designated hitter and right field and can play the catcher position if needed. Along with fellow young stars Tyler Bell and Kyuss Gargett, he is helping to fuel the future of the program.
The middle-to-bottom of Kentucky’s lineup has been questionable all season, but consistency from Schwartz in the six-to-seven hole will pay dividends for the ‘Cats as they embark on postseason play. Following Kentucky’s series at No. 9 Vanderbilt this weekend, it’s off to Hoover for the SEC Tournament and then the NCAA Tournament.
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