Kentucky coach Nick Mingione says catcher Devin Burkes, right, makes everyone in the Kentucky program better. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Catcher Devin Burkes was the most outstanding player in the 2023 Lexington Regional, a preseason second team all-Southeastern Conference pick and is Kentucky baseball’s emotional leader.
“Devin is a flat-out winner. He literally makes everybody in our program better and when he shows up in the coaches’ offices it brightens our day,” Kentucky coach Nick Mingione said. “He makes coaches, positional players better. He makes everyone in our program better.”
He hit .291 with 65 runs scored, 53 RBI, 18 doubles, nine home runs, 38 walks and nine stolen bases in 2023. He was also hit by a pitch 15 times. He had 19 multi-hit and 12 multi-RBI games and finished the season reaching safely in the final 15 games.
D1Baseball.com ranks Burkes as one of the top 10 catches in college baseball because of his defense and ability to frame pitches for UK’s pitching staff.
However, he’s probably still best known for his nickname — Happiest Man in College Baseball.
“You have to keep the energy up. Everybody is tired at some point in the season but you have to keep going,” the senior catcher said. “I am enthusiastic every day. That is how I come in.”
He understands at times that he has to curb his enthusiasm behind the plate not to irritate umpires or maybe distract teammates.
“I feel like it is definitely something you have to pay attention to or it will eat you up,” Burkes said. “Just kind of expressing that in a different manner (behind the plate), more in the way I compete.”
“Don’t just be crazy and over react all the time. Pick your spots to show that side behind the plate.”
Burkes had a breakout season in 2023 and knows more is expected of him this year but that does not bother him.
“I am just trying to play the best I can for my teammates. That is the biggest thing,” he said. “I am always getting better. We are alway getting better as a team.”
How can he top the season he had last year?
“Just every aspect of my game. My leadership role, my communication, obviously the performance,” he said. “I am even talking to coach Ming about being a better man.”
He believes the postseason run and success UK had last year will help this team.
“I felt like that was a big experience for me and the people who returned. We know what it looks like now. We know what standards we have to set to get where we want,” Burkes said. “The offseason makes your real season happen. What you do offseason makes or breaks you and we had a great offseason. We competed so well last year and now we might even be more confident in this season.”
Kentucky will be counting on several transfers again but Burkes likes what he has seen from the new players.
“They have fit in good. I have gotten close with them. They are like brothers,” Burkes said. “Our coaching staff does a good job learning who the player is and whether they will mesh with our team or not, so that makes it work out well.”
Kentucky opens its season today against USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C.
