Ben Cleaver. Kentucky baseball loses to West Virginia 4-3. Photo by Ethan Rand | UK Athletics
Ben Cleaver (UK Athletics Photo)
By LARRY VAUGHT
Two of the top pieces — shortstop Tyler Bell and pitcher Ben Cleaver — for Kentucky’s 2026 baseball team both received recognition for their 2025 play this week.
Bell was named a First Team Freshman All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Second Team by Perfect Game. He is UK’s first freshman to receive the honor since John Rhodes was named co-Freshman of the Year in the shortened 2020 season by Collegiate Baseball.
He had already been named to the Southeastern Conference all-freshman team and will attend USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team Training Camp later this month.
Bell reached base safely in 54 of 56 career games and started every game but one this season, including the first 27. He had 17 multi-hit games, led the team in runs batted in, and had a team-best 29 extra base hits.
Bell was also the first freshman since at least 2005 to have two four-hit games.
Bell also hit for power as his 10 home runs tied the freshman school record set by Chris Gonzalez in 1993. He also ranks among the top five in RBI, runs, extra base hits, stolen bases, and slugging percentage.
Bell was the only UK player to hit over .300 in conference play at .318 and led the team in doubles, home runs, RBI, and slugging percentage in those games.
His defense was also superb as he had just six errors in 214 chances, a .972 fielding percentage.
Kentucky baseball loses to West Virginia 4-3.
Photo by Ethan Rand | UK Athletics
Cleaver was named to the Second Team All-Region for the Midwest Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Cleaver started the Wildcats’ opening game in the NCAA Clemson Regional. He finished the season 6-3 with a 3.25 earned run average in 83 innings over 15 starts.
He allowed just 54 hits and struck out 92 while allowing just 10 extra base hits and holding opponents to a .185 batting average. He had a team-best seven quality starts and will be counted on to anchor the UK pitching rotation next season.
