Austin Schultz, center, pictured with UK coaches Roland Fanning and Nick Mingione, committed to Kentucky on Wednesday evening.
One of the best remaining prospects in the 2018 recruiting class announced his commitment to Kentucky on Wednesday. Austin Schultz, a two-sport star from Adams, NE., announced he would be joining the Wildcats via his Twitter account.
Schultz, a 5-10, 185lb shortstop, attends Norris High School, where he is also a member of the football team. He must be really good at baseball because his football stats speak for themselves. Last fall, Schultz rushed for 1,641 yards, and his punting skills led to him being named to the Super-State first team.
As good as he is on the football field, his baseball stats are even more outstanding. As a junior, Schultz was named Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year after posting a .440 batting average. Schultz racked up 40 hits in 91 at bats, including six doubles, five triples, and five home runs. The UK commit slugged .780 and owned a .560 on-base-percentage as a junior. In addition to being named Gatorade Player of the Year, Schultz was also selected to the 2017 first-team Super-Baseball team.
Schultz has been an excellent hitter over the course of his high school career and the same will be expected next spring. Over the span of three seasons, Schultz owns a .428 average with 118 hits in 276 at bats. He has driven in 56 runs in his career with twenty doubles, seven triples, and nine home runs.
The shortstop is an excellent hitter, however, he brings an element to the game that separates him from most recruits and that is speed on the base paths. Schultz has stolen 51 bases in his high school career, including a career high of 25 in 27 attempts during his junior season. His quickness will come in handy when he arrives in Lexington, as the Wildcats were more aggressive on the bases under head coach Nick Mingione.
The Wildcats entered the picture when Schultz, who was committed to Wichita State, decided to reopen his recruitment earlier this summer. During the summer, Schultz is a member of the Colorado Yard Dawgs, a travel team that plays all over the country. Shultz is flashing his power this summer, hitting nine home runs for the Yard Dawgs. During a tournament in Georgia, Schultz caught the eye of the UK coaching staff. That led to a visit and offer from Kentucky last weekend and a few days later, Schultz is a Wildcat.
