Tyler Bell Named to Preseason College Player of the Year Watch List

Kentucky star shortstop Tyler Bell has been named to Baseball America’s Preseason College Player of the Year watch list, it was announced Tuesday.

He previously has been named a preseason All-American by both D1Baseball and Perfect Game.

Tyler Bell (UK Athletics Photo)

Bell, in 2025, etched his name all over UK’s freshman records list and has got stronger as the season has progressed. He reached base safely in 54 of 56 career games (he started every game but one last season, which he missed with an injury), including each of the first 27. He had 17 multi-hit games, led the team in RBI and had a team-best 29 extra base hits. He also was the first UK freshman since at least 2005 to have two four-hit games.

His 10 home runs last season tied the freshman school record set by Chris Gonzalez in 1993. He also ranked among the top five in RBI, runs, extra base hits, stolen bases and slugging percentage.

He had just six errors in 214 chances, a .972 fielding percentage. He was the only Wildcat to bat over .300 in conference play at .318 and led the team in doubles, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage in those games.

Bell followed his rookie campaign by playing for the US Collegiate National Team over the summer and is considered a Top 15 prospect for the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft.

UK opens its season on Friday, February 13 at UNC Greensboro.

The Cats are entering their 10th season under head coach Nick Mingione and have won 293 games during his tenure, including a College World Series appearance in 2024. The program signed top 10 transfer portal and top 25 high school recruiting classes in the offseason. UK also has earned an invitation to the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons for the first time in school history.