Kentucky OF Kendal Ewell, LHP Reed Gannon Enter Transfer Portal

Ewell was on the preseason Golden Spikes Award watch list, but played in just 14 games for UK in 2023.

Kentucky baseball's historic 2023 campaign came to a close in Baton Rouge last weekend, as the Wildcats fell to LSU in just their second-ever Super Regional appearance. 

As summer ball gets underway, so does roster construction season. UK has already added a portal piece in Delaware State infielder Trey Paige, but the first notable name that's looking to leave Lexington arose on Thursday. 

According to D1Baseball's Transfer Tracker, outfielder Kendal Ewell is back in the portal after one season with Kentucky. 

The Calumet City, Ill. native, who transferred in from Eastern Kentucky following the 2022 season, played in just 14 games for the Wildcats, slashing .189/.333/.216. He tallied seven hits, one RBI and one stolen base, striking out 17 times while drawing seven walks. 

Ewell was one of 55 players named to the 2023 Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list. He was a semifinalist for the award in 2022 following a breakout year with the Colonels, in which he hit .361 with a .482 OBP. 

He hit 14 home runs and totaled 51 RBIs that season, earning First Team All-Atlantic Sun honors. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder was also an Ohio Valley Conference All-Freshman Team selection in 2021. He has one year of eligibility remaining. 

Ewell was not the only name from UK added to the tracker, however. After two seasons in Lexington, left-handed pitcher and fellow Illinoian Reed Gannon is also looking for pastures new. 

The Minooka native began his career recovering from elbow surgery and redshirted in 2022, then made one appearance in 2023, facing three batters in a midweek win over Dayton, in which he walked two and hit one, allowing an earned run in the process. 

Standing 6-foot-3, 185 pounds, Gannon was the No. 5 overall player in Illinois his class, per Prep Baseball Report. He pitched for the Kinosha Kingfish in the Northwoods League in the summer of 2022, allowing four runs in 7.1 innings. 

The pair join RS freshman outfielder Tanner Kim as Cats in the portal, which opened on May 30 and will close on July 13. Over 2,000 players are currently in D1Baseball's tracker. 

How Division-III roots are pushing Jackson Gray to the finish line in a special season HERE.

Roommates, Kentuckians, Brothers: More on Darren Williams and Mason Moore HERE.

The King of Work: More on catcher Devin Burkes and his MVP honors HERE.

Game recap of Kentucky's Regional-clinching win can be found HERE.

How getting hit in batting practice helps Kentucky HERE.

How hard conversations molded RHP Austin Strickland HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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