Outlook Talented right-handed hitter has the ability to play at the corner infield positions or behind the plate ... Has been catching since his redshirt season in 2010, becoming a vital part of the development of the dynamic UK bullpen ... A middle infielder in high school, was used as a late-inning defensive replacement at first base in 2012 and earned the opening-day start as the designated hitter ... Drove in the walk-off run with a bases-loaded walk vs. Buffalo on Feb. 24, his third career appearance ... Was married during the offseason to the former Lauren Redberg.
Summer Played in 12 games with 11 starts for the Amsterdam Mohawks in the Perfect Game Collegiate League, joining UK teammates Jeff Boehm, Chandler Shepherd and Taylor Martin ... Batted .170 (8-for-47) with three doubles, five RBI and a stolen base.
2012 Was a vital right-handed hitting option off the bench in freshman season, playing in 19 games with six starts ... Was the opening-day starter as the designated hitter at Wofford ... Was used often as a defensive upgrade at first base in the late innings ... Batted .370 (10-for-27) with four RBI ... Had a 2-7 walk-strikeout ratio with three hit by pitches ... Stole one base ... Forced home the walk-off run with a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk in a win over Buffalo ... Went 2-for-4 in six SEC games off the bench ... Batted .348 (8-for-23) in non-league games ... Was 2-for-7 as a pinch hitter ... Had one two-out hit and two-out RBI ... In his six starts, hit .421 (8-for-19) ... Has three two-hit games in a five-game span of starts in late February and March ... During the summer, played for the San Luis Obsipo Blues in the California Collegiate League ... Led the Blues to the 2011 CCL Championship ... Played in 28 games with 27 starts, batting .244 (22-for-90) with four doubles, one homer and 23 RBI ... Drew four walks and stole three bases, fielding .979 ... Was plunked by seven pitches and had four sacrifice flies.
2011 Redshirted season, served as bullpen catcher while learning the nuisances of the catching position.
High School Earned four letters for coach Derek Stroud at Paso Robles High School ... All-state selection in 2010 as a senior ... A highly talented prospect in football and baseball, made the decision to pursue a college baseball career ... Hit .430 (24-for-86) with 27 RBI, three doubles and four homers in 27 games as a senior ... Had a 5-for-5 game against San Luis Obispo on April 27, 2010, with four RBI and a homer ... Drew 21 walks and struck out just six times as a senior ... Pitched in 56.2 innings as a senior, posting a 3.83 ERA with seven wins and four saves ... Earned first-team all-league and all-county honors each year of career ... Led baseball team to the league championship as a sophomore and senior ... "It's going to be a great opportunity for him," Stroud said. "We've been very fortunate to have him for four years, and he's just continued to grow as a baseball player. He'll find a way to contribute somewhere. Whatever role he'll have, he won't let the coach or his teammates down. He's the ultimate team player." ... Started every game of his career before suffering a minor injury as a senior in the playoffs ... Lettered for four years in football and entering his senior season, as a selection to the ESPN Rise CalHiSports.com All-Ventura/Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo counties team ... Earned all-PAC 7 and all-county first team distinction in football as a junior.
Personal Full name is Thomas Hansen Bernal ... Born Nov. 5, 1991 in Knoxville, Tenn. ... Son of Tim Bernal and Shelli Bernal ... Has two sisters, Andi (23) and Elli (17) ... Father played football at Weber State ... Was married during the summer to the former Lauren Redberg.
