Reports: Reds draft pick, former Moeller standout Ponatoski enrolls at UK

Former Moeller High School two-sport star Matt Ponatoski has reportedly enrolled at the University of Kentucky, days after being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the Major League Baseball draft.Ponatoski, who committed to play football and baseball for the Wildcats, has enrolled at UK ahead of practice with the football team, according to multiple reports, including Kentucky Sports Radio.Players who were selected in the MLB draft have until July 27 to sign with the club that chose them, meaning Ponatoski still has time to finalize his decision of playing at UK or beginning his professional baseball career in the Reds’ organization. The Reds took Ponatoski with their 19th round pick (No. 542 overall) in last weekend’s draft. He was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 208 prospect in the class.Ponatoski is also supremely talented on the football field, however, winning Ohio’s Mr. Football award in 2024 as he led the Crusaders at quarterback.Leading up to the draft, Ponatoski talked about the difficult decision that he is facing, describing his love for both sports.“It’s kind of in that gray area right now where you know you’re going to have to make a really hard decision,” he said.

Former Moeller High School two-sport star Matt Ponatoski has reportedly enrolled at the University of Kentucky, days after being selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the Major League Baseball draft.

Ponatoski, who committed to play football and baseball for the Wildcats, has enrolled at UK ahead of practice with the football team, according to multiple reports, including Kentucky Sports Radio.

Players who were selected in the MLB draft have until July 27 to sign with the club that chose them, meaning Ponatoski still has time to finalize his decision of playing at UK or beginning his professional baseball career in the Reds’ organization.

The Reds took Ponatoski with their 19th round pick (No. 542 overall) in last weekend’s draft. He was ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 208 prospect in the class.

Ponatoski is also supremely talented on the football field, however, winning Ohio’s Mr. Football award in 2024 as he led the Crusaders at quarterback.

Leading up to the draft, Ponatoski talked about the difficult decision that he is facing, describing his love for both sports.

“It’s kind of in that gray area right now where you know you’re going to have to make a really hard decision,” he said.