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Top 10 Stories of 2025: #9 - Cole McLean Earns National Player of the Week

December 10, 2025
Prep Baseball KY Staff

 

Today we're back with another story in our 2025 Year in Review! Over the next few weeks, we will be reflecting on an excellent year for the Bluegrass State and reviewing the Top 10 Stories of 2025. Coming in at #9 on the list, we have the Cole McLean earning National Player of the Week, marking the first time in history for anyone from Kentucky!

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Next up in our Top 10 Stories of 2025 series, we turn to this year’s unforgettable high school season — a spring that delivered standout performances from every corner of the Commonwealth. Each week throughout the season, the KY staff sifted through coaches’ submissions and selected a Player and Pitcher of the Week (CLICK HERE for full winners list and articles). At the national level, those same weekly honors are awarded across the entire Prep Baseball scene, a recognition reserved for the very best performances nationwide.

Until this season, no player from Kentucky had ever claimed the national Player of the Week award. That changed in late March, when Taylor County ace — 2026 LHP/OF and Future Games alum Cole McLean — authored one of the most dominant two-game stretches the KY staff has seen in years.

McLean was outstanding all spring, leading Taylor County on a memorable run to the State Quarterfinals. The final week of March was just different! Scheduled for two starts against quality opponents, the SEC commit turned in back-to-back phenomenal outings. Against Boyle County, McLean delivered his first complete game masterpiece of the week: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 19 K — a complete-game shutout, his second of the season, and in complete control from the first pitch. A few days later, under the bright spotlight of the inaugural Prep Baseball Kentucky High School Invitational in Somerset, he was equally as overwhelming. Facing a talented Lyon County lineup then ranked inside the Top 10, McLean posted: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 11 K — another shutout and a wire-to-wire performance, and another reminder that he was firmly in command of the season.

Across those two outings, McLean totaled 13.0 innings, 30 strikeouts, and 0 runs allowed, a staggering line on its own. What makes it even more impressive in hindsight is that both opponents went on to finish the season ranked inside the Power 25 and each captured their respective regional titles. It wasn’t an easy week at all, despite what the video game like numbers may suggest!. While that stretch became the highlight reel moment, it was no fluke for McLean. His full season of work only added to the story.

  • McLean stacked quality outing after quality outing throughout the spring:
  • LaRue County: 5.0 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 9 K (4–0 W)
  • Van Buren (OH): 6.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 13 K
  • Marion County: 4.0 IP, 8 K
  • Adair County: 7.0 IP, 0 H, 15 K (No-hitter, 7–0 W)
  • Campbellsville: Save with 2 K, then later 7.0 IP, 1 H, 12 K (3–0 W)
  • Marion County (District Semifinals): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 15 K (8–0 W)
  • LaRue County (Regionals): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 15 K

  • Sayre (State Tournament): 2.1 IP, 4 K
  • Trinity (State Quarterfinals): 6.0 IP, 4 K vs one of the state’s deepest lineups

By the season’s end, McLean had pieced together one of the most complete junior campaigns we’ve ever tracked. Over 65.1 IP, he allowed only 27 hits, 7 earned runs, and struck out 127, finishing with a 0.75 ERA and a 9–1 record. In a year full of standout pitching across Kentucky, his consistency and strikeout production put him in rare company.

The accolades followed suit this spring. His performance at the Prep Baseball KY Invitational also earned him the event’s Most Valuable Pitcher award. His two-start masterpiece in March made him the clear choice for Kentucky’s Pitcher of the Week — but what surprised even our staff was the national recognition that came with it. McLean became the first Kentucky prospect ever to win Prep Baseball’s National Player of the Week award. That milestone speaks volumes about the magnitude of his performance as well the state of competition in the Bluegrass State. His full junior season then culminated in being named Gatorade Kentucky Player of the Year. Off the field, McLean made headlines as well in 2025. After decommitting from Tennessee, he quickly announced a new decision — choosing to stay in the Commonwealth and commit to the University of Kentucky, just down the road from Campbellsville.

For all the memorable moments from the 2025 season, McLean’s historic week in March stood apart from most. It wasn’t just dominance on the bump — it was a breakthrough for Kentucky high school baseball on the national stage!

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