B. J. Rosenberg

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

Spring roundup: Austin Kearns reaches base four times; Trever Miller, B. J. Rosenberg post scoreless outings

Major League Baseball

Austin Kearns; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Sunday Kentucky Spring Training action:

  • Lexington native Austin Kearns was 3-3 with one walk and one run scored for the Cleveland Indians.
  • Louisville native Trever Miller was credited with a hold after pitching a scoreless inning for the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock was credited with a hold despite surrendering two runs in two innings for relief for the Kansas City Royals.
  • PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • After being added to the MLB roster for the game former UofL right-handed pitcher B. J. Rosenberg pitched two scoreless innings for the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-2 versus the Phillies.
  • Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-4 versus the Red Sox.

Revere leads AFL in SBs; Kipnis, Lueke also excel

Minor League Baseball

 

Ben Revere; Photo by Pat Neshek

The Arizona Fall League season came to an end over the weekend, meaning several Kentucky players saw the official end of their 2010 seasons. Check out a quick rundown of Kentucky AFL stats below:

 

  • OF Ben Revere (Lexington Catholic) — .295/.358/.330, 20 R, 12 SB, 9 RBI
  • 2B Jason Kipnis (UK) — .295/.337/.628, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 13 R
  • RHP Josh Lueke (NKU) — 0-1, 0.79 ERA, 2 SV, 12 SO/3 BB, 11.1 IP
  • 3B Zack Cox (PRP) — .262/.333/.446, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 8 R
  • RHP B. J. Rosenberg (UofL) — 0-1, 8.53 ERA, 10 SO/8 BB, 12.2 IP
  • RHP Henry Mabee (Morehead St.) — 0-0, 6.92 ERA, 5 SO/9 BB, 13 IP
  • RHP Michael Broadway (Paducah) — 0-1, 10.13 ERA, 5 SO/1 BB, 5.1 IP
  • OF Dave Sappelt (Louisville Bats) — .291/.316/.319, 10 RBI, 9 R
  • C Devin Mesoraco (Louisville Bats) — .242/.250/.455, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R
  • LHP Philippe Valiquette (Louisville Bats) — 0-1, 14.14 ERA, 5 SO/5 BB, 7 IP

Revere led the AFL with 12 stolen bases.

Webb, Wellemeyer are unknown quantities in FA starting pitcher market; Lueke gets second AFL save

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

Latest links and highlights from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors breaks down the free-agent market for right-handed starting pitchers and lists Ashland native Brandon Webb as an injured pitcher teams will sign hoping for a rebound and Louisville native Todd Wellemeyer as a pitcher who will likely have to start in the bullpen or minor leagues to compete for innings.
  • Morehead State University senior utility man Casey Branham slugged two home runs and drove in six runs in game three of the Eagles’ fall scrimmage series.
  • The University of Kentucky has announced its 2010-11 baseball camp schedule.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher B. J. Rosenberg pitched a scoreless inning and struck out one for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 1-4 with a run scored in the game for the Peoria Saguaros.
  • PRP alum Zack Cox, the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2010 first-round pick, was 1-3 with a triple, run scored and walk for the Surprise Rafters of the AFL.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his second save of the AFL season with two scoreless innings for the Peoria Javelinas.

Kentucky prep pitchers highlight wood-bat tournament; Revere stays hot in AFL; Gibson excels for Morehead

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links and highlights from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Conor Glassey of Baseball America recaps the action from the World Wood Bat Championship, highlighting performances from Lexington Catholic High School right-handed pitcher Tyler Arthur and St. X right-handed pitcher Matt Spalding.
  • Mark Polishuk of MLBTradeRumors evaluates former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch‘s free agent stock.
  • On Wednesday former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his first save for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League. Former Lexington Legend right-handed pitcher Kyle Greenwalt pitched four scoreless innings for the win.
  • On Thursday Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 3-6 with three RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base for the Peoria Saguaros of the AFL.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher B. J. Rosenberg took the loss after surrendering four runs in one inning for the Mesa Solar Sox of the AFL.
  • Morehead State University sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson struck out 10 batters in six innings to lead the Gold team to a 2-0 series lead in the Eagles’ fall scrimmage series.

Kipnis named Indians’ MiLB player of year; Louisville Bats standouts selected to Reds MiLB all-star team

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jason Kipnis; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links and notes from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports the Cleveland Indians named one-time UK outfielder Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona State, the organization’s minor league player of the year.
  • Kipnis’ cycle in the AAA playoffs for the Columbus Clippers is nominated for the MiLB AAA game of the year award. You can vote here.
  • PRP alum and St. Louis Cardinals’ 2010 first-round pick Zack Cox was 2-5 with a double and two RBI for the Surprise Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher B. J. Rosenberg pitched a scoreless inning and struck out two for the Mesa Solar Sox of the AFL.
  • Louisville Bats catcher Devin Mesoraco was 2-4 with a run scored for the Peoria Saguaros of the AFL.
  • While no Kentucky player will suit up for the World Series beginning tomorrow the San Francisco Giants wouldn’t have made it there without contributions from a variety of players, including Louisville native Todd Wellemeyer, Chris Haft of MLB.com writes.
  • Josh Jackson, writing for MiLB.com, selected Bats catcher Devin Mesoraco, third baseman Juan Francisco, outfielder Dave Sappelt, outfielder Wladimir Balentien and designated hitter Luis Terrero to the Cincinnati Reds’ organizational all-star team.

Blanton to start game four; Maile home run highlights UK pro day; Revere has another big AFL game with 2 SBs

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

UK Athletics Wallpaper

Latest links and highlights from around Kentucky baseball:

  • David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News reports Phillies manager Charlie Manuel confirmed following the team’s game-three loss that former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton would start game four of the NLCS. There had been some speculation in the media that Manuel might go with ace Roy Halladay if the team was down in the series entering game four.
  • University of Kentucky sophomore catcher Luke Maile‘s home run highlighted the team’s intrasquad scrimmage in front of MLB scouts. The UK media relations department also notes left-handed pitcher Mike Kaczmarek has been playing both ways for the Cats this fall in outfield and on the mound.
  • University of Louisville sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung surrendered one run in five innings in a no decision in the Pizza Bowl fall scrimmage series.
  • Pierce W. Huff of the Atlanta Journal Constitution profiles UK sophomore outfielder Brian Adams, who is happy to be back on the football field this fall after suffering a life-threatening ailment last fall.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 2-3 with a RBI, walk, run scored and two stolen bases for the Peoria Saguros of the Arizona Fall League.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher B. J. Rosenberg pitched two scoreless innings for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.
  • Mike Marsee of the Danville Advocate  Messenger reports Mercer Couny High School outfielder Matthew  Honchel has committed to Miami University in Ohio over WKU and Morehead St.

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.

Revere, Strieby among Kentuckians named to AFL

Minor League Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Flickr by mwlguide

The Arizona Fall League, Major League Baseball’s postseason league for some of its top prospects, has released its preliminary rosters for the 2010 season, and several Kentucky alumni were included. I’ve listed those players below with MLB organization and AFL team:

  • B. J. Rosenberg (UofL) — Philadelphia Phillies — Mesa Solar Sox
  • Josh Lueke (NKU) — Seattle Mariners — Peoria Javelinas
  • Jason Kipnis (UK) — Cleveland Indians — Peoria Javelinas
  • Henry Mabee (Morehead) — Chicago White Sox — Peoria Saguraros
  • Ben Revere (Lexington Catholic) — Minnesota Twins — Peoria Saguraros
  • Michael Broadway (Paducah) — Atlanta Braves — Phoenix Desert Dogs
  • Ryan Strieby (UK) — Detroit Tigers — Surprise Rafters

Several current and former Louisville Bats, Bowling Green Hot Rods and Lexington Legends will also play in the league:

  • Kyle Greenwalt — Lexington Legends — Peoria Javelinas
  • Matt Nevarez — Lexington Legends — Peoria Javelinas
  • Sergio Perez — Lexington Legends — Peoria Javelinas
  • Patrick Urckfitz — Lexington Legends — Peoria Javelinas
  • Koby Clemens — Lexington Legends — Peoria Javelinas
  • Philippe Valiquette — Louisville Bats — Peoria Saguraros
  • Devin Mesoraco — Louisville Bats — Peoria Saguraros
  • Dave Sappelt — Louisville Bats — Peoria Saguraros
  • Neil Schenk — Bowling Green Hot Rods — Peoria Saguraros
  • Henry Wrigley — Bowling Green Hot Rods — Peoria Saguraros

You can see the full AFL rosters via Baseball America here.

Ellis to fill in at catcher for Dodgers; Darnell named SEC pitcher of week; Updates on Blanton, Wellemeyer, Rosenberg

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

A. J. Ellis; Photo by frankat1stbase3 via Flickr

Lots of major league news to pass along including a surprising major league job for a Kentucky high school alum:

  • Kevin Gurnick of MLB.com reports PLD alum A. J. Ellis has been named the starting catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers while All-Star Russell Martin misses 4-6 weeks after a groin injury.
  • University of Kentucky left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell was named Southeastern Conference pitcher of the week after his complete game shutout performance Saturday.
  • Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports University of Kentucky alum Joe Blanton offseason adjustments paid dividends in his first spring appearance.
  • Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News breaks down the Giants fifth starter race, which includes Bellarmine alum Todd Wellemeyer.
  • Jim Salisbury of Baseball America profiles University of Louisville alum B. J. Rosenberg and his attempt to stick out in Phillies camp. (Subscription required.)