Lexington trades for former UK catcher Kole Cottam who joins fellow alumni Dustin Beggs & Tristan Pompey
LEXINGTON, KY – Welcome back to Lexington, Kole Cottam!
The 27-year-old catcher University of Kentucky of alumnus is back in the Bluegrass for the 2024 baseball season where he will likely receive pitches from his former Wildcats battery-mate Dustin Beggs, while outfielder Tristan Pompey defends, all as Lexington Legends this time around. Cottam spent three seasons with Kentucky, logging a .326 batting average and 27 home runs. He played 151 games for the Wildcats, including 55 games in 2017 that culminated in a win over Ohio University and NC State in the NCAA Baseball Lexington Regional. Following the 2018 season Cottam was drafted in the 4th Round by the Boston Red Sox.
Cottam spent the next 4 seasons in the Red Sox farm system, rising as high as the AAA affiliate Worcester Red Sox. In 2023, Cottam joined the Spire City Ghost Hounds of the Atlantic League, where he amassed a .290 batting average and slugged 30 home runs (tied for 3rd-most in the league).
Earlier this month, the Legends traded outfielder JC Encarnacion to the Long Island Ducks along with a player to be named later to facilitate Cottam’s return to the city of blue (and green!). He headlines a 2024 roster poised and ready to win a championship for Lexington.
Legends manager Gregg Zaun and his coaching staff are entering the last week of spring training at Legends Field whittling down the active roster to a maximum of 27 players by Opening Night. In addition to Cottam & Beggs, former UK outfielder Tristan Pompey is also in camp competing for a spot with the Legends. All three wore Kentucky blue together as teammates in 2016 & 2017.
Come see Kole and the Legends return to Lexington on Thursday, April 25th against the defending ALPB South Division Champion High Point Rockers, the first of 63 ALPB games to be played at 207 Legends Lane. For ticketing and sponsorship information, please visit LexingtonLegends.com.
About the Lexington Legends
The 2024 Lexington Legends are entering their 24th seas on play, and 4th in the Atlantic League of professional baseball. Home games are played at Legends Field in Lexington, Kentucky. Please call 859-252-HITS (4487) or visit www.LexingtonLegends.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
