Andrew Albers

MiLB roundup: Hot Rods win; Bats, Legends lose; Jake Shaffer, Josh Richmond homer; Chaz Roe takes a loss

Minor League Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Flickr by mwlguide

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods jumped out to an early lead and added three insurance runs in the seventh inning in a 6-3 win over Lake County. Catcher Lucas Bailey was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • The Louisville Bats tallied just five hits in a 4-0 loss to Buffalo. Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in six innings while striking out one batter and walking two.
  • Left-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz fell to 0-5 on the season after a 5-2 loss to Hagerstown. Foltynewicz surrendered three runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking two.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-4 with one home run, four RBIs and one run scored for AA Jackson.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with one home run, three RBIs and one run scored for low A Hickory.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers took a no decision in his first start of the season for high A Fort Meyers after surrendering three runs on six hits in four innings while striking out two batters and walking two.
  • Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 2-5 with two doubles, one walk and one run scored for AAA Toledo.
  • Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez was 2-6 with two runs scored for high A San Jose.
  • St. Mary’s alum Shawn Roof was 2-3 with one walk and one RBI for low AA Hickory.
  • Former UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, who transferred to Texas A&M before the draft, took a no decision after surrendering three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out two batters while walking one.
  • Lexington native Chaz Roe took a loss after surrendering five runs on nine hits in six innings while striking out eight batters and walking two.

Cowgill, Ross win April Ky MiLB awards

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

In the final minor league April awards post we’ll look at the best hitting and pitching performances from Kentucky alumni in MiLB:

Hitter of the month: OF Collin Cowgill

  • Stats: .387 (29-75), 4 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 5 SB
  • Honorable Mention: John Shelby, Ryan Strieby, Sawyer Carroll, Chris Dominguez, Jake Shaffer, Jon Townsend, Tyler Kuhn
Pitcher of the month: LHP Robbie Ross
  • Stats: 2-1, 2.61 ERA, 17 SO/8 BB, 20.2 IP
  • Honorable Mention: Andrew Albers, Logan Darnell, B. J. Rosenberg, Cory Wade, Marty Popham, Jason Chowning

MiLB roundup: Legends, Hot Rods win; Bats lose; Cowgill still hot; Duvall, Dominguez homer; Payton has 3-hit debut

College Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB baseball:

  • The Lexington Legends held off a late rally in a 5-4 win over Augusta. Designated hitter Michael Kvasnicka was 3-4  with two RBI, and shortstop Jiovanni Mier was 2-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall slugged his fourth home run of the season for Augusta. Louisville native Jason Chowning was credited with a hold for Lexington after pitching two scoreless innings of relief.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods used a quality start from right-handed pitcher Victor Mateo to earn a 5-2 win over Dayton. Mateo improved to 2-2 on the season after surrendering two runs on three hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking none.
  • The Louisville Bats blew surrendered three runs after the sixth inning in a 5-2 loss to Norfolk. Left fielder Yonder Alonso was 2-3 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 2-4 performance for AAA Reno. Cowgill posted his eighth multi-hit game during the streak and is batting .392 on the season with four home runs, 14 RBI and 21 runs scored.
  • Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 4-5 with two doubles, one triple and three runs scored for high A Lakeland.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers earned his second win of the season with four and two-third scoreless innings of relief for high A Fort Myers.
  • Louisville native and former WKU infielder Matt Payton made his season debut for high A Clearwater and was 3-4 with two runs scored.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged his sixth home run of the season for high A San Jose.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one run scored for AA Montgomery.
  • One-time UK infielder turned outfielder Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St., was 2-4 with one double, one walk, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 2-5 with one run scored for AAA Rochester.
  • Paducah native Eric Roof was 2-4 with one double, two RBI two runs scored and two walks.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods, Legends lose; Jones, Albers credited with wins; Shaffer, Strieby homer; Kuhn has 3 hits

Minor League Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Flickr by mwlguide

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Indianapolis scored seven runs over the final two innings to send the Louisville Bats to a 10-4 loss. One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker took the loss for the Bats after surrendering seven runs on five hits in two innings.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied just three hits in an 8-2 loss to Dayton. Left-handed pitcher Enny Romero took the loss after surrendering five runs on five hits in three and two-third innings.
  • One day after two players each hit three home runs, the Lexington Legends also tallied just three hits in a 4-1 loss to Asheville. Right-handed pitcher Michael Foltynewicz took the loss despite surrendering three runs on six hits in six innings while striking out three batters and walking three.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-4 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored for AA Jackson and is batting .400 on the season.
  • Covington native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones earned his first win of the season after pitching a scoreless inning of relief for AA Birmingham.
  • Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 2-4 with one home run, two RBI and two runs scored for AAA Toledo.
  • Trinity High School alum Tyler Kuhn was 3-5 with one double, one triple, three RBI and one run scored for AA Birmingham.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers eared his first win since 2008 after surrendering one run in one and one-third innings of relief for high A Fort Meyers.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering two runs on six hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking one in a start for AA Tennessee.
  • Former UK infielder Chris Bisson was 2-5 with two stolen bases for low A Fort Wayne.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-4 with two doubles and one run scored for low A Augusta.
  • Louisville native and former Murray St. first baseman Wes Cunningham was 2-4 with one RBI and one run scored for low A Fort Wayne.

Downs to start season on DL with broken toe; Albers signs minor league contract with Twins; Wade excels for Rays

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times reports Louisville native and former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs will start the season on the disabled list after breaking his left big toe on Sunday. Downs would only say he injured the toe while “playing around with the kids,” and DiGiovanna notes the injury will likely keep him out till at least mid April.
  • Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers has signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. Albers spent 2010 in the independent Can-Am League and last appeared in affiliated ball in 2008 when he appeared in five games for the AZL Padres before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
  • Josh Caldwell of The News-Enterprise in Hardin County catches up with Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock who has pitched well in his audition to make the Kansas City Royals MLB roster this spring.
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com breaks down former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade‘s attempt at a comeback with the Tampa Bay Rays.
  • Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Brewers manager Ron Roenicke is still uncertain as to when Bowling Green native Corey Hart will return from injury and whether he can get the outfielder enough at-bats in Spring Training to be ready for Opening Day.

Albers to work out for MLB teams; Probable 2011 Legend arrested; Louisville finalizes plan for youth baseball complex

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Youth Baseball

Anderew Albers; Photo: UK Athletics

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliot reports former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers will throw bullpen sessions for the Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies after a strong season for Quebec of the independent Can-Am League.
  • Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle reports Houston Astros 2010 first-round pick Delino DeShields Jr., a likely 2011 Lexington Legend, was arrested Sunday morning in Georgia and charged with driving under the influence.
  • Last week we linked a report about Louisville’s planned state-of-the-art youth baseball complex. Now Sheldon S. Shafer of the Courier-Journal has more details about the Nations Park project, reporting it will include 25 baseball fields and 25 softball fields.
  • In the online chat accompanying the Arizona Diamondbacks’ top 10 prospects list, Bill Mitchell of Baseball America comments on a few Kentucky prospects including Danville native right-handed pitcher Blake Perry. (subscription required)
  • Adam Revelette of Examiner.com finishes out his five-year anniversary Kentucky Baseball Club team.

Blanton named tentative game-four starter; Revere has big night in AFL; Former Legend is Indy League standout

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Ben Revere; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest highlights from Kentucky baseball in advance of tonight’s ALCS game one:

  • Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Phillies manager Charlie Manuel named former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton the team’s game-four starter, though Manuel reserved the right to change his mind depending on the situation.
  • J. J. Cooper of Baseball America reports the magazine named former Lexington Legends outfielder Beau Torbert the Independent League player of the year.
  • Cooper included former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers in the “Others to Note” section of BA’s top 10 independent league prospects.
  • In the accompanying chat, Cooper touches on former UK LHP James Paxton, who Cooper predicts to sign with the Mariners this offseason.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 4-6 with a double, RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases for the Peoria Saguraos of the Arizona Fall League. Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke struck out two in a scoreless inning for the Peoria Javelinas in the game.
  • PRP alum Zack Cox, the Cardinals’ 2010 first-round pick, doubled off former UofL right-handed pitcher B. J. Rosenberg and drove in a run for Surprise of the Arizona Fall League. Rosenberg surrendered three runs in one and two-third innings for Mesa.

Thursday afternoon notes: Blanton, Paxton, Webb

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Joe Blanton; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Several important notes to pass along on what has turned out to be a busy Thursday afternoon for Kentucky baseball:

  • University of Kentucky and Franklin-Simpson High School alum Joe Blanton will start the season on the disabled list for the Philadelphia Phillies. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports Blanton will miss three to six weeks with a strained oblique.
  • Former UK pitcher James Paxton has signed with the Grand Prairie AirHogs of the independent American Association. The team’s season starts in May, so Paxton will have about three weeks to impress scouts before the June draft.
  • Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports UK alum and Ashland native Brandon Webb met with D’Backs team doctors today for an examination of his surgically repaired right-shoulder. Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com later tweeted Webb received good news and a May return is “highly likely.”
  • Minor League transactions of note from Baseball America: The Astros have released Western Kentucky University alum Ben Paxton, and the Padres have released UK alum Andrew Albers. Paxton signed with the Astros after excelling in indy ball in 2009 but never pitched in a Minor League game, and Albers missed all of 2009 with an arm injury.

2006 Cats: Where Are They Now?

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball
UK Athletics Wallpaper

UK Athletics Wallpaper

The 2006 season was the crowning achievment in the revitalization of UK baseball.  The Cats won the Southeastern Conference Championship and featured the 2006 SEC player of the year in 1b Ryan Strieby and national coach of the year John Cohen.  The 2008 minor league sesaon has seen a reunion of Strieby and 3b Michael Bertram at AA Erie.  With that reunion in mind I thought we’d look at where the members of the 2006 championship team are in the minor leagues.

  • 1B Ryan Strieby — AA Erie Sea Wolves — .302, 14 home runs, 53 RBI — 2006 Stats — .343, 20 home runs, 77 RBI
  • 3B Michael Bertram — AA Erie Sea Wolves — .282, 12 home runs, 55 RBI — 2006 Stats — .340, 5 home runs, 37 RBI
  • C Sean Coughlin — AA Mobile BayBears — .287, 11 home runs, 40 RBI — 2006 Stats — .325, 17 home runs, 55 RBI
  • OF Antone DeJesus — AA Springfield Cardinals — .229, 1 home run, 19 RBI — 2006 Stats —.323, 5 home runs, 36 RBI
  • OF John Shelby — AA Birmingham Barons — .242, 8 home runs, 46 RBI — 2006 Stats — .291, 18 home runs, 56 RBI
  • OF Collin Cowgill — High A Visalia Rawhide — .277, 6 home runs, 36 RBI — 2006 Stats — .298, 16 home runs, 61 RBI
  • RHP Zach Dials — AA New Hampshire Fisher Cats — 1-4, 2.36 ERA, 28 SO, 42 IP — 2006 Stats — 1-1, 3.97, 25 SO, 34 IP
  • LHP Chris Rusin — Short-Season Boise Hawks — 0-3, 2.74 ERA, 20 SO, 23 IP — 2006 Stats — 5-0, 4.03 ERA, 25 SO, 38 IP
  • RHP Greg Dombrowski — Rookie GCL Reds — Disabled List — 2006 Stats — 10-2, 2.83 ERA, 54 SO, 101.2 IP
  • LHP Andrew Albers — Rookie AZL Padres — Disabled List — 2006 Stats — 3-3, 5.40 ERA, 28 SO, 30 IP

Tuesday Links: Brown SAL Player of Week

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Steve Brown

Legends outfielder Steve Brown was named South Atlantic League player of the week after a week that saw him go 12-28 (.429) with three home runs and 11 RBI.  Check out more on Brown’s honor and other BluGrass Baseball storylines in this mornings hot links:

  • Minorleaguebaseball.com has a breakdown of each league’s player of the week including Brown.
  • The Legends’ game was suspended due to rain with one out in the fifth inning.  Lexington and Asheville will resume that game where it left off at 6:05 p.m. today before playing tonight’s scheduled game which has been shortened to seven innings.
  • Kevin Barker’s home run gave Louisville a 4-3 victory over Lehigh Valley.
  • The “Other Beckham” (Jeremy, Tim’s brother) hit his first professional home run in an 8-4 Bowling Green victory over Greenville.
  • UK second baseman Chris Bisson was 1-6 with two runs scored in the Cotuit Kettleers’ series clinching victory against Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League semi-finals.  UK pitcher Matt Little surrendered two runs in the game in 2.2 innings of relief for Yarmouth-Dennis.
  • UK baseball has announced a “5-Tool Camp” scheduled for Labor Day weekend.
  • The Associated Press reports that Toronto Blue Jays GM J. P. Riccardi wants MLB to move up the signing deadline for draft picks after the team has failed to sign eight of its first 10 picks, including UK pitcher James Paxton, so far.
  • Here is a piece I wrote for Examiner.com about the top prospects on the Lexington Legends’ roster.
  • EKU alum Christian Friedrich continued his domination of California League opponents by striking out eight in 6.2 innings to lower his ERA to 1.32 and earn his third win in the league.
  • According to Baseball America, the Tigers placed former UK pitcher Scott Green on the 7-day disabled list and the Padres placed former UK pitcher Andrew Albers on the 60-day DL.