Inspired by College Baseball Daily’s list of the top 100 college baseball players, BluGrass Baseball is counting down the top 25 returning Kentucky collegians in advance of the 2011 season. We continue the list today with our second consecutive 2010 Cape Cod League all-star.

No. 15 — OF Chad Wright — University of Kentucky

Chad Wright; UK photo

UK outfielder Chad Wright arrived on campus without the publicity of his fellow classmates in 2008, but has been the most consistent performer in the Cats’ vaunted junior class. In a two-year career Wright had batted .328 with six home runs, 60 RBI, 76 runs scored and 22 stolen bases, all while starting almost every game in the outfield. In 2010 the then sophomore batted .316 with two home runs, 37 RBI and 36 runs scored. He stole 12 bases in 15 attempts while starting 53 games for the Cats.

During the summer Wright was named an all-start in the prestigious Cape Cod League where he batted .300 with 18 runs scored, six doubles and 10 RBI in 43 games. He was successful on six of 12 stolen base attempts during the summer season. Wright returns to UK in 2011 as the only full-time outfield starter from last season. Wright has been the Cats’ primary leadoff hitter for the last two seasons and should begin 2011 in that role. Wright’s fellow class of newcomers  from 2008 was ranked No. 4 in the country.