Matt Ponatoski threw for over 10,000 yards and 118 touchdowns in high school but made it clear to recruiters that he wanted to play baseball in college also.
How big a factor did Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione play in Cincinnati Moeller quarterback Matt Ponatoski committing to Kentucky?
“The relationship with coach Mingione was important. Coach Mingione was great. We had such a wonderful visit with him,” said Becky Ponatoski, the player’s mother. “He is just a positive, upbeat person.
“Matt also really liked his faith and how God is in the center of his program and his life. Matt wants to be part of that. Then the whole baseball staff was so energetic, and Matt really thrives in that type of environment.”
He’s a four-star quarterback who threw for 10,145 yards and 118 touchdowns with only 14 interceptions at Moeller but has also been ranked as a top 20 high school baseball prospect in the 2026 class by Baseball America.
“Matt was very clear with everybody he spoke with that he was going to do both sports in college and if that wasn’t something that the school would allow, then he wasn’t going to be interested in that school,” Becky Ponatoski said. “There were other schools that said playing both sports was a deal breaker and we said that was fine and we know it is an incredibly hard thing to do. So, we understood.
“But if there is anybody who I would put my money on, it would be Matt because he is just super focused, hardworking and extremely competitive. If anybody is gonna give it a shot at doing both, it is gonna be him.”
2 Responses
With the right coaching, this kid could be a "gamer".
I look for him to redshirt in football but play next year in baseball. I think he will be a backup to Minchey his redshirt freshman year. As a redshirt sophomore he will start at Kentucky. Barring injuries his redshirt freshman year he could also get starter reps. The kid has a very bright future in whatever he chooses to play. I would definitely give both sports a shot my freshman year then I would decide if I still want to play both sports or if he focuses on one. I think Baseball might be his clear path to stardom. If I had to pick one I would pick football. I know in baseball you have to stay at least 3 years before going pro. This could actually help his stock if he gets a little better every year. I do believe one day he will be the starting QB for Kentucky. I'm betting on his sophomore year for him to be the starter. Unless Stein brings a top transfer or another 5* freshman.