2010 MLB Draft

Kentuckians highlight Baseball America draft report cards

Minor League Baseball

Chris Bisson; Photo: UK Athletics

Baseball America has released its annual draft report cards for each of the 30 MLB organization’s. Kentucky saw 57 players with some tie to the Bluegrass State drafted this season, so it is no surprise that several Kentucky players were mentioned in the draft report cards. Check out those report cards below, remembering that all links require a subscription:

 

  • John Manuel ranks PRP alum and St. Louis Cardinals’ first-round pick Zack Cox the best hitter, best power hitter and closest to the majors from the Cardinals’ draft.
  • Jim Callis ranks former UK infielder Chris Bisson the best athlete in the San Diego Padres’ draft and one of the best runners.
  • Manuel ranks former UK outfielder Lance Ray one of the three best pure hitters from the Minnesota Twins’ draft.
  • Callis lists Paducah native Jonathan Roof among Texas Rangers’ draftees with the most intriguing background, noting the Roof family’s baseball prominence.
  • Callis mentions former Morehead St. infielder and Mount Sterling native Drew Lee among the Chicago White Sox’s best professional debuts.
  • Manuel lists Campbellsville University non-drafted free agent catcher Richie Rowland in the intriguing background category of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ report card as he teamed with his brother at rookie-level Missoula.
  • Callis mentions Lexington native Jeremy Shelby among the fastest runners and most intriguing backgrounds in the Baltimore Orioles’ draft.

Danville native Blake Perry signs with Diamondbacks

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

UK Athletics Wallpaper

Danville native and University of Kentucky signee Blake Perry has signed a professional contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Aaron Fitt of Baseball America reports via Twitter. Perry, the Diamondbacks’ sixth-round pick, signed for a $500,000 signing bonus, Fitt reports. The Danville native and former Boyle County High School pitcher spent his senior season at the Pendleton Academy in Florida.

Perry marks the second UK commitment to sign a professional contract after being drafted this year. Former LCA and Wabash Valley Junior College first baseman Tyler Oliver previously signed with the Washington Nationals as the team’s 35th round pick. UK signees J. T. Riddle, Corey Littrell, Matt Reida and Lucas Witt were also selected in the 2010 draft. The Cats also picked up a late commitment following the draft from New York prep pitcher Jonathan Bobea, the 19th-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels.

UK gets commitment from Angels 19th round pick

College Baseball

UK Athletics Wallpaper

The University of Kentucky has received a late verbal commitment from the class of 2010 from New York right-handed pitcher Jonathan Bobea, who was the Los Angeles Angels’ 19th round pick in the 2010 draft. Bobea, who graduated from Francis Lewis High School in Flushing, N. Y., told Zach Braziller of The New York Post he would turn down the Angels’ offer to attend UK this fall. “I’m happy,” Bobea told The Post. “I get to go to college and play baseball at a high level.”

UK recruiting coordinator Brad Bohanon offered Bobea a scholarship after watching him pitch CABA World Series with Team New York Baseball, Braziller reports. Bobea joins six other Kentucky signees from the class of 2010 as selections in the 2010 draft. As of Monday, just one of the seven signees, former LCA first baseman Tyler Oliver, had signed a professional contract. (Read more)

Wiley signs NDFA deal with Braves

Minor League Baseball

Keenan Wiley; UK photo

Former University of Kentucky outfielder Keenan Wiley has signed a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves. Wiley batted .324 with four home runs and 37 RBI as a redshirt senior for UK in 2010. The Richmond native and Madison Central High School alum also stole 14 bases in 19 attempts for UK. In four seasons at UK Wiley played in 214 games and compiled a .306 batting average with 36 stolen bases.

Wiley’s signing brings the total number of Kentuckians signing professional contracts from the 2010 draft class to 35. The Kentuckians in the class have signed with 17 different teams. With just over a week until the signing deadline 18 drafted Kentuckian remain unsigned. (Read more)