Ohio State INF transfer Lee Ellis commits to Kentucky

Middle infield depth stood out as a need on Kentucky’s roster following the results in the 2026 MLB Draft. The Bat Cats addressed that need on Thursday with a 12th transfer portal commit of the offseason. Another Big Ten player is moving south. Ohio State middle infielder Lee Ellis has committed to the Bat Cats, according to his Instragram account. The 21-year-old started his career at South Carolina and spent one season in the SEC. Ellis made 30 plate appearances in 2024. The infielder then transferred to Ohio State where he spent the last two years. Ellis has slashed .273/.396/.493 over 423 plate appearances in college baseball. Ellis has hit seven home runs in each of the last two seasons and recorded a career-high 17 stolen bases in 2026. The right-handed bat was primarily a shortstop in 2025 before shifting to second base this past spring. Kentucky’s latest transfer portal addition has two years of eligibility remaining and has played in 103 games during his collegiate career. Lee Ellis will return to the SEC in 2027 and should compete for a starting middle infield position during the fall and winter in Lexington. The Bat Cats have addressed their middle infield depth need as a top-10 transfer portal class added another key piece. Kentucky baseball transfer commits PlayerPositionHigh SchoolFormer SchoolYearMisc.Brody ChrismanOF (6-3, 205)Zion (Ind.) CommunityPurdue | Akron5thAll-MAC in 2026 (1.056 OPS with 27 XBH and 23 steals).JP PeltierIF/OF (6-3, 195)Dayton (Ohio) Chaminade JulienneWright State4thAll-Horizon League in 2026 (20 HR in 2025, 24 doubles in 2026)Kale HammerLHP (6-3, 200)Snohomish (Wash.) HighGonzaga | Seattle4thMade 13 starts (5.79 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 61 K, 70 IP) in 2026.Logan HastingsRHP (6-0, 185)Huntingtown (Md.) HighMaryland3rdMade 35 appearances with 12 starts and five saves over two seasons in the Big Ten.PJ CraigRHP (6-4, 220)Barnegat (N.J.) HighRider5thTwo-time All-MAAC selection with 44 career starts and over 250 innings.Owen LeeINF (6-0, 190)Trenton (Tenn.) PeabodyTennessee Tech4thShortstop with 21 career HR across 461 plate appearances.Mason SnyderRHP (5-8, 175)Ocilla (Ga.) Irwin CountyBerry College (D-III) | Western Carolina4thFormer D-III transfer who went 7-2 with a 2.48 ERA as relief pitcher and earned All-SoCon honors.Alex KelseyOF (5-11, 185)Reading (Pa.) ExteterSaint Joseph’s3rdAll A-10 selection with a career .474 on-base percentage and 37 stolen bases.Brayden RickettsC (6-2, 210)Brampton (Ont.) Jean Augustine SecondaryIndiana3rdLeft-handed swinging catcher who clubbed 9 home runs in 153 at-bats as a redshirt freshman.Cooper CorkreanLHP (6-3, 200)Katy (Texas) Cinco RanchGalveston College | New Mexico4thFormer JUCO transfer who posted 22.5% K rate with 4 saves and 2 starts in the Mountain West.Riley JacksonC/1B (6-1, 205)Melbourne (Fla.) Eau GallieFlorida State | Houston4thSlugged .512 with 30 extra-base hits in his first season with more 50 plate appearances in college baseball.Lee EllisINF (6-1, 180)Forestville (Md.) Bishop McNamaraSouth Carolina | Ohio State4thPlayed both second and shortstop at Ohio State with a career 273/.396/.493 slash line.