Ryan Waldschmidt named All-American and projected as first-round pick in MLB Draft

A storybook season for Ryan Waldschmidt and Kentucky Baseball.

Kentucky Wildcats junior outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt has been named a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America.

Waldschmidt’s most recent honor continues to highlight an all-time 2024 season for Kentucky Baseball that ended in the College World Series. However, it almost never happened after he suffered a serious knee injury in the summer of 2023 that threatened to keep him out this spring.

The Sarasota (FL) native finished the season batting .333 in 59 games with 66 runs, 17 doubles, 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 41 walks, 16 hit by pitch, and 25 stolen bases. He slugged .610 as part of a 1.079 OPS.

The 25 steals are the second-most in a season in the Nick Mingione era, and the runs are the third-most.

While Waldschmidt has eligibility remaining, don’t expect him to use it, as he’s projected to be a high selection in this year’s MLB Draft.

In a recent mock draft by ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, Waldschmidt was projected to go 14th overall to the Chicago Cubs.

Waldschmidt is another hot name who has been rising in the latter stages of the season, and he is still gaining interest as he plays in Omaha. There are teams on him earlier than this, and I think his floor is somewhere in the 20s, so there’s still a wide range of landing spots for him. This is probably the floor if either Kurtz or Tibbs makes it this far, and this is the first spot Malcolm Moore is a distinct option. Florida prep SS Kellon Lindsey is a potential well-under slot option as I think the Cubs are mostly looking at upside position players. I’m hearing they are on Florida prep C Hunter Carns in the second or third round and prep 3B Chase Harlan, if he makes it to their second pick.

Among Waldschmidt’s other postseason honors include being named an All-American by Perfect Game, ABCA/Rawlings All-District, and Second-Team All-SEC.

Thanks for the memories!

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