Ben Cleaver is one of the top returning players for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2026. In 2025, he was an anchor in the starting rotation.
Cleaver had a 3.25 ERA in 83 innings of work. Over that same stretch, he had 92 strikeouts and picked up six wins. Cleaver led Kentucky in both ERA and strikeouts.
The left-hander’s best performance of the 2025 season came against the Ole Miss Rebels on April 5.
In six innings of work, Cleaver had a season-high 11 strikeouts while allowing just three hits and one earned run.
Cleaver’s season-high for innings pitched came against the Hofstra Pride on March 1. He threw 7 1/3 innings in a 6-1 win for the Wildcats.
Cleaver and His Experience are Crucial for Kentucky in 2026
Cleaver has played two seasons for Kentucky in 2024 and 2025. During those two seasons, the Wildcats have had lots of success.
In 2024, during Cleaver’s freshman season, Kentucky made it to the College World Series for the first time in their program’s history. They also won a share of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season title along with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Cleaver pitched in the College World Series that season against the Florida Gators.
In 2025, Kentucky made the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight season. They played in the Clemson regional and won two games.
With tons of NCAA Tournament experience and a full season in the starting rotation under his belt, Cleaver can make a major impact on Kentucky in 2026. He has seen what it takes to make the postseason and go far in the postseason during his time in Lexington.
He can be a Friday-night starter for the Wildcats this upcoming season.
Up Next for the Kentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats will start the 2026 college baseball season on February 13 against the UNC Greensboro Spartans.
The game will be at Kentucky’s home ballpark, Kentucky Proud Park. The first pitch is at 4 p.m. EST.
NCAA news: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
PHOTO: Kentucky pitcher Ben Cleaver delivers the ball during an NCAA regional baseball game against West Virginia on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
