By Derek Terry
UK outfielder Kyle Barrett’s reemergence as an SEC star started long before he stepped on the field for the first time his junior season.
After earning All-SEC Freshman honors in 2013, Barrett took a step back last year. The native of Douglasville, Ga., saw his batting average drop from a team-leading .351 during his first year to a pedestrian .253 in 2014. Then-freshman Storm Wilson eventually replaced him in right field.
To go from being a star to barely playing was a tough challenge for Barrett.
“It wasn’t fun,” Barrett said. “Having to sit and watch was tough, and it was really difficult because I knew there was nothing I could do.