PRESQUE ISLE, ME

The UMPI Baseball Team continues to expand its roster to a place it hasn't been in years thanks to a robust recruiting class under first year head coach Tim Burns. Today, he announces his first transfer commitment, as Mitchell Kley will become the newest Owl.

Kley is a native of Arbuckle, California and played two seasons at NAIA school Midland University in Nebraska. Kley played as an outfielder and also has college summer ball experience, as he played in the Corn Belt league, also in Nebraska.

Kley took a gap year, not competing in the 2025 season but played at Midland in 2023 and 2024. He is looking forward to getting back on the ball field. "I'm excited to finish my degree while continuing to play the sport I love," Kley said.

His summer ball coach Aaron Deats of the Omaha Haymakers loved Kley's dependability. "It's always a relief as a coach to write a leadoff guy at the top of the order without batting an eye," Deats said.

Kley also has experience pitching and will help provide even more depth to an ever-growing staff. His new coach, Tim Burns is ecstatic to see Kley get an opportunity at UMPI.

"Mitchell has been looking for the right fit for him both athletically and academically,  and he has finally found the right place! With strong defense in the outfield, great speed, and top of the order experience, his game will gel immediately with the other returners in the lineup. Excited to see how he responds to a place that will allow him to unlock his full potential for great play in this game," Burns said.

Kley intends to study Business Administration as he finishes his degree at UMPI. The UMPI community welcomes him as the newest member of the Owls athletics family.