The final day of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft unfolded with a flurry of selections, none more anticipated than the choices of Kentucky’s own right‑handers Nile Adcock and Connor Mattison.
Mattison, who finished the season with a 2‑2 record and an 8.10 earned run average across 14 appearances, was chosen by the Minnesota Twins in the 16th round. He logged 36.2 innings, surrendering 43 hits while striking out 37 batters.
Adcock, meanwhile, was taken by the Atlanta Braves in the 20th and final round. The reliever closed the year at 5‑1 with two saves in 24 outings, striking out 50 batters over 36.0 innings and allowing just three home runs.
Willoughby’s College Decision
Top prospect Grayson Willoughby, the MaxPrep National High School Pitcher of the Year and Kentucky Mr. Baseball, announced that he would forgo signing and instead enroll at the University of Kentucky, where he will continue his development.
The draft also highlighted four other Wildcats signees who found homes in professional baseball, ranging from high school standouts to transfer players, underscoring the program’s continued pipeline of talent.
Among them, senior infielder Luke Lawrence signed an undrafted free‑agent contract with the Chicago White Sox, a move that caps a collegiate career marked by versatility and steady growth.
Both Adcock and Mattison bring distinct skill sets to their new organizations. Mattison’s mid‑season transition into starting duty, prompted by injuries in the rotation, showcased his adaptability, while Adcock’s 12.5 strikeouts per nine innings ranked fourth in program history, reflecting his dominance in leverage situations.