Webb’s velocity down during rehab appearance; Miller struggling; Wellemeyer to return to action this week

Brandon Webb; Photo by SD Dirk via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb was at 78 to 81 mph during the first two innings of his latest extended spring training appearance.
Jason Frakes of the Courier-Journal runs down the high school top 25 matchups at this week’s Louisville Invitational Tournament.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports Louisville native Trever Miller has been struggling recently as the Cardinals’ only left-handed reliever. Miller has not recorded an out in his last five appearances.
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer is scheduled to pitch this week for AAA Iowa.
Thomas Harding and Nick Kosmider of MLB.com reports Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Ft. Campbell, will throw a simulated game on Wednesday as he rehabs from a broken finger.
Mike Fields of the Lexington Herald-Leader profiles 16-0 Madison Central High School in his most recent high school notebook.
Herald-Leader columnist Mark Story also talked to me this week about BluGrass Baseball for his latest column.

Joe Blanton leads Kentucky major leaguers in salary

Major League Baseball

Joe Blanton; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

With Opening Day upon us its time for the annual look at the contracts of each of Kentucky’s major league players. The group added two new members in Josh Lueke and Nathan Adcock this season, but is still dominated by the familiar names. Check out the full list of 2011 salaries below with contract data via USA Today‘s MLB salary database:

Joe Blanton (Phillies) — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — $10.5 million
Aaron Cook (Rockies) — Born in Ft. Campbell — $9.875 million
Dan Uggla (Braves) — Born in Louisville — $9.15 million
Corey Hart (Brewers) — Greenwood HS — $6.833 million
Mark Reynolds (Orioles) — Born in Pikeville — $5.333 million
Scott Downs (Angels) — PRP, UK — $5 million
Jon Rauch (Blue Jays) — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — $3.5 million
Brandon Webb (Rangers) — Paul Blazer HS, UK — $3 million
Trever Miller (Cardinals) — St. X HS — $2 million
Austin Kearns (Indians) — Lafayette HS — $1.3 million
Sean Green (Brewers) — Male HS, UofL — $875,000
Tyler Clippard (Nationals) — Born in Lexington — $443,000
Jonny Venters (Braves) — Born in Pikeville — $429,500
A. J. Ellis (Dodgers) — PLD HS — $421,000
Nathan Adcock (Royals) — North Hardin HS — $414,000
Josh Lueke (Mariners) — Scott HS, NKU — $414,000

No significant differences were discovered. Race does not influence the length of enrollment in adult literacy programs.

Kentuckians on MLB Opening Day rosters

Major League Baseball

You can always see the list of Kentucky MLB players on the “Ky. in the Majors” page here, but with Opening Day upon us I thought it would be a good idea to post the list on the home page. Check out the Kentuckians starting the 2011 season on MLB rosters below:

National League

RHP Aaron Cook — Born in Ft. Campbell — Colorado Rockies (15-day DL)
C A. J. Ellis — PLD — Los Angeles Dodgers
OF Corey Hart — Greenwood HS — Milwaukee Brewers (15-day DL)
2B Dan Uggla — Born in Louisville — Atlanta Braves
RHP Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — Philadelphia Phillies
LHP Jonny Venters — Born in Pikeville — Atlanta Braves
RHP Sean Green — Male HS, UofL — Milwaukee Brewers
LHP Trever Miller — St. X HS — St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Tyler Clippard — Born in Lexington — Washington Nationals

American League

OF Austin Kearns — Lafayette HS — Cleveland Indians
RHP Brandon Webb — Paul Blazer HS, UK — Texas Rangers (15-day DL)
RHP Jon Rauch — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Josh Lueke — Scott HS, NKU — Seattle Mariners*
3B Mark Reynolds — Born in Pikeville — Baltimore Orioles
RHP Nathan Adcock — North Hardin HS — Kansas City Royals*
LHP Scott Downs — PRP, UK — Los Angeles Angels (15-day DL)
RHP Shawn Kelley — Ballard HS — Seattle Mariners (60-day DL)

* — Lueke and Adcock are MLB rookies and will make their MLB debuts with first appearance in 2011.

Cox, Revere ranked among top prospects in organizations; Lueke likely will make MLB roster; Hustlers unveil schedule

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com ranks PRP alum Zack Cox the No. 2 prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
Mayo ranks Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere the No. 4 prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization.
Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among the weekend losers in college baseball.
Geoff Baker, columnist for The Seattle Times, writes Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke has probably done enough this spring to earn a spot in the Mariners’ bullpen and could possibly be considered for save opportunities if closer Brandon League falters.
Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb won’t get his wish of pitching in a B or minor league game this week and will instead pitch another batting practice session today.
The Lexington Hustlers have released the team’s 2011 summer schedule.
Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports no news has been good news concerning the rehab of Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell.

Strieby, Jones, Kipnis cut from respective MLB camps; Hageman gives WKU offensive boost; Cook injured again

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

The Detroit Tigers have optioned former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby to AAA Toledo.
The Chicago White Sox have optioned Covington native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones to AA Birmingham.
Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA breaks down 25 teams outside of the PGSU top 25, noting the University of Louisville‘s poor offensive performance is the only thing keeping it out of the rankings. (Subscription required)
Nick Baumgardner of the Bowling Green Daily News reports Western Kentucky University received an unlikely offensive spark on Sunday from freshman Justin Hageman, who received his first at-bats of 2011 after spending the first three weeks of the season solely on the mound.
Jordan Bastain of MLB.com reports one-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis was re-assigned to minor league camp by the Cleveland Indians.
The bad injury news continues for Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, as Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports Cook will miss a few weeks after breaking his ring finger on his throwing hand when he accidentally slammed a door on it on Friday.
MLB.com columnist Mike Bauman writes Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb‘s return from injury has become a question of “when” not “if” following his strong throwing session over the weekend.

UK players among those to watch from Houston tournament; Corey Hart growing frustrated with slow return from injury

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Brian Adams; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA recaps last weekend’s Houston College Classic, giving the University of Kentucky a C+ grade. Rogers also lists UK junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, sophomore outfielder Brian Adams and freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott among the players to watch from the tournament. (Subscription required)
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart is growing more frustrated with his oblique injury.
Dave Krieger, a columnist for The Denver Post, writes the Colorado Rockies should take their time bringing back right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell.
Anthony Andro, writing for The Dallas Morning News, reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb is still on track to throw live batting practice today.
Baseball America has published its 2011 bat guide, including information about Louisville Slugger bats that meet new college and high school regulations.
I’ve posted a Eastern Kentucky University photo gallery from Tuesday’s game versus UK on the BluGrass Baseball Flickr page.

Zach Noonan named OVC player of the week; UofL ranked in latest coaches’ poll; Webb to pitch to hitters on Wednesday

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Zach Noonan; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Murray State University senior outfielder and week four BluGrass Baseball hitter of the week Zach Noonan was named the Ohio Valley Conference player of the week.
The University of Louisville checked in at No. 21 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.
UofL checked in at No. 4, but Western Kentucky University dropped out of the most recent College Baseball Daily mid-major top 25 poll.
UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung and Lexington native and Cincinnati outfielder Justin Riddell were named to the Big East Conference weekly honor roll for their week four performances.
Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb is scheduled to throw against live batters for the first time this spring on Wednesday.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets the Colorado Rockies were disappointed right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, didn’t report to camp in playing shape and Cook will not start the season with the team.

No structural damage to Cook’s shoulder; Ross among Rangers’ top prospects; Strieby hopes to make MLB roster

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Aaron Cook; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, received some good news on Friday when team physician, Dr. Thomas Noonan, examined him and found no structural damage in is ailing shoulder.
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com ranks Lexington native Robbie Ross the No. 7 prospect in the Texas Rangers’ farm system.
Jason Beck of MLB.com profiles former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby and his push to make the Detroit Tigers’ roster this spring. Strieby currently leads the team in plate appearances and hits but is blocked at first base by all-star Miguel Cabrera.
Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb will throw his fourth bullpen session of the spring on Sunday.
Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports Webb paid a visit to his former teammates in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ clubhouse on Saturday.

Reynolds hopes change of scenery will help; Cook to miss at least a week with injury; Kelley added to 60-day DL

Major League Baseball

Mark Reynolds; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball

Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo! Sports profiles Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, and explores the benefits he might gain from his offseason “change of scenery.”
Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram talks with Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb about his Ashland used car dealership that he runs with his brother-in-law during the offsesaon.
The Denver Post reports Rockies’ right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, will miss at least a week with shoulder soreness and is no longer guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation.
Greg Johns of MLB.com reports the Seattle Mariners added Louisville native Shawn Kelley to the 60-day disabled list to make room for recently acquired left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey. Kelley is recovering from partial Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until at least June.

UofL is team on the rise; Kime, Littrell among top freshmen draft prospects; Rauch known for more than height

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among his 25 teams outside of Perfect Game’s top 15 rankings to watch. (Subscription required)
Allan Simpson of Perfect Game ranks University of Kentucky left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell the NO. 51 freshman draft prospect in the country and UofL right-handed pitcher Dace Kime the NO. 67 freshman prospect. (subscription required)
Mark Zwolinski of The Toronto Star profiles Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch, who he writes “brings a towering presence” to the Blue Jays bullpen as the tallest player in MLB history.
Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, will not pitch in the Cactus League for at least several days after experiencing shoulder soreness early in camp.
Steve Kornacki of MLive.com reports former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby will get the start at first base in the Detroit Tigers exhibition opener Friday.