Cameron Conner

Kentucky Rookie MiLB Leaderboard

Minor League Baseball

Yesterday we looked at the hitting and pitching leaderboards for full-season Kentucky minor leaguers in advance of the BluGrass Baseball MiLB awards post. If you saw that post you already know former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer was named the rookie of the year, but looking at the statistical leaders among players that made their professional debuts in 2010 is still helpful.

Batting Average (2.7 PA/team game)

  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – .330
  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – .295
  • Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – .291
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .290
  • Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .289

On-base Percentage

  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .415
  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – .401
  • Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .372
  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – .372
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – .372

Slugging Percentage

  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – .535
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) — .478
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .449
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – .435
  • Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .417

Runs

  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 40
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – 34
  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – 32
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 32
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 31

HR

  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 14
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 5
  • Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – 5
  • Adam Duvall (SS Salem-Keizer) – 4
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 4
  • Jayson Langfels (SS Tri-City) – 4

RBI

  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – 41
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 39
  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 36
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 36
  • Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – 34

Stolen Bases

  • Cameron Conner (R Idaho Falls) – 15
  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 9
  • Matt Payton (R GCL Phillies) – 9
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – 7
  • Chris Bisson (SS Eugene) – 5
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 5

Hit the jump to see the pitching leaders.

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Kentucky MiLB Hitting Leaderboard

Minor League Baseball

During the college season BluGrass Baseball publishes a weekly leaderboard for all Kentucky collegians. Minor League Baseball is less conducive to such an arrangement because players are scattered across several leagues and ability levels, but I thought I’d publish the end of season statistical leaderboard in advance of the MiLB pitcher and player of the year awards coming out later this week. Remember stats from higher-level leagues are more impressive, but this is a good place to start in examining the best 2010 MiLB performances.

I’ll post a separate leaderboard for short-season players later this week in advance of the “Rookie of the Year” award.

Batting Average (2.7 PA/team game)

  • Jake Shaffer (High A High Desert) – .336
  • Jason Kipnis (AA Akron) –  .307
  • Ben Revere (AA New Britain) – .305
  • Wade Gaynor (Low A West Michigan) – .286
  • Collin Cowgill (AA Mobile) – .285

On-base Percentage

  • Jake Shaffer (High A High Desert) – .386
  • Jason Kipnis (AA Akron) – .386
  • Ben Revere (AA New Britain) – .371
  • Collin Cowgill (AA Mobile) – .360
  • Wade Gaynor (Low A West Michigan) – .354

Slugging Percentage

  • Jake Shaffer (High A High Desert) – .511
  • Jason Kipnis (AA Akron) – .492
  • Collin Cowgill (AA Mobile) – .464
  • Chris Dominguez (Low A Augusta) – .456
  • Seth Bynum (AAA Syracuse) — .436

Runs

  • Jason Kipnis (AA Akron) – 96
  • Wade Gaynor (Low A West Michigan) – 91
  • Collin Cowgill (AA Mobile) – 89
  • Chris Dominguez (Low A Augusta) – 85
  • Boomer Whiting (AAA Syracuse) – 66

RBI

  • Chris Dominguez (Low A Augusta) – 101
  • Collin Cowgill (AA Mobile) – 83
  • Wade Gaynor (Low A West Michigan) – 80
  • Jake Shaffer (High A High Desert) – 78
  • Jason Kipnis (AA Akron) – 74

Home Runs

  • Chris Dominguez (Low A Augusta) – 21
  • Chad Cregar (Low A Greensboro) – 17
  • Collin Cowgill (AA Mobile) – 16
  • Jason Kipnis (AA Akron) – 16
  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) — 14
  • Seth Bynum (AAA Syracuse) – 14

Stolen bases

  • Boomer Whiting (AAA Syracuse) – 48
  • Ben Revere (AA New Britain) – 36
  • Collin Cowgill (AA Mobile) – 25
  • John Shelby (AA Birmingham) – 15
  • Cameron Conner (R Idaho Falls) – 15 *

*  — Nidiffer and Conner played in short-season leagues.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods win; Griffin has big night for Bats; Dominguez, Bynum homer

Minor Leagues

Chris Dominguez; UofL Photo

Highlights to Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats pulled a game closer to the International League playoffs with a 16-6 win over Indianapolis. Left fielder Michael Griffin was 4-5 with two home runs, a triple, four RBI and four runs scored.
  • The Lexington Legends tallied just five hits in a 1-0 loss to Rome. Right-handed pitcher Juan Minaya fell to 4-12 on the season despite surrendering just one run on four hits in eight innings.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods finished a series sweep of Dayton with a 7-1 win Friday. Second baseman Kyle Spraker homered and drove in three runs.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 2-4 with a triple, home run, three RBI and three runs scored for low A Augusta.
  • Frankfort native and 2010 Royals draftee Cameron Conner reached base four times, scored once and drove in one run for rookie-level Idaho Falls.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum slugged his 14th home run of the season for AAA Syracuse.
  • Braves right-handed pitching prospect Michael Broadway, born in Paducah, earned his fifth win of the season despite surrendering four runs in two innings for AAA Gwinnett.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Legends lose; Bertram, Curley homer; Roe gets win; Revere tallies 3 hits

Minor League Baseball

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats held Toledo scoreless through eight innings and held on for an 8-3 win. Shortstop Zack Cozart and outfielder Michael Griffin each slugged a home run in the game, and left-handed pitcher Ben Jukich earned the win with seven shutout innings.
  • Neither team scored for the first six innings, but a late offensive onslaught sent the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 5-3 win over Dayton. Catcher Mark Thomas was 2-4 with two RBI.
  • Hagerstown scored six times in the first two innings and sent the Lexington Legends to a 9-1 loss. The Legends mustered on four hits in the game.
  • Former UK infielder Michael Bertram homered for the second consecutive game and drove in three runs for AAA Toledo.
  • Former Campbellsville outfielder Chris Curley slugged his third home run of the season for low A Rome.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 3-4 with a triple and two runs scored for AA New Britain.
  • Lafayette alum Chaz Roe improved to 8-13 on the season after surrendering three runs in six and two-third innings for AAA Colorado Springs.
  • Frankfort native Cameron Conner was promoted to rookie-level Idaho Falls where he went 1-3 with a double in his debut.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum was 3-3 with a walk for AAA Syracuse.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods all win; Ross, Darnell earn victories; Dominguez reaches base 5 times

Minor League Baseball

Logan Darnell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Tuesday MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats extended their winning streak to six games with an 8-7 win over Toledo. Designated hitter Wladimir Balentien was 3-5 with two doubles, a run scored and five RBI.
  • The Lexington Legends offense gave right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue plenty of run support but he didn’t need it in the team’s 10-3 win over Delmarva. Bushue surrendered just one unearned run on six hits in six innings, and three different Legends tallied three hits in the game.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored six runs after the sixth inning to earn a come-from-behind 9-5 win over Fort Wayne. Right fielder Brett Nommensen was 3-5 with two triples, five RBI and one run scored.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher and 2010 Twins draftee Logan Darnell picked up his first career win for rookie-level Elizabethton with five scoreless innings in his second professional start.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 4-5 with a walk for low A Augusta.
  • Lexington native Robbie Ross picked up his 12th win of the season after surrendering two runs on five hits in five innings for high A Bakersfield. Ross struck out five and walked one.
  • Former UofL left-handed pitcher and 2010 Cardinals draftee Bob Revesz picked up his first career save for rookie-level Johnson City.
  • Frankfort native and 2010 Royals draftee Cameron Conner tripled and drove in three runs for the rookie-level AZL Royals.

MiLB Action: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods win; Dominguez, Cowgill, Ray, Wunderlich, Conner homer; Royse shines

Minor League Baseball

Chris Dominguez; UofL Photo

Highlights from Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats recorded a 3-2 win over Gwinnet behind right-handed pitcher Matt Maloney, who surrendered just two runs in six and two-third innings. First baseman Todd Frazier was 2-3 with a run scored.
  • The Lexington Legends scored three runs in the bottom of the tenth inning to earn a come-from-behind 9-8 win over Savannah. Second baseman Jose Altuve was 4-5 with a run scored, and left fielder Jacob Goebbert drove home the winning run with a single.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods held off a late Cedar Rapids rally to earn a 5-3 win. Third baseman Bennett Davis was 2-3 with a run scored and two RBI.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with a home run, five RBI and two runs scored for low A Augusta.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox drafteeThomas Royse took a no decision despite surrendering just one run on two hits in six innings for rookie-level Great Falls. Royse struck out six and walked none.
  • Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 2-4 with his eleventh home run of the season, one RBI and one run scored for AA Mobile.
  • Former UK outfielder and 2010 Twins draftee Lance Ray slugged his second home run of the season for low A Beloit.
  • Former UofL infielder and 2010 Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich slugged his third professional home run for short-season Hudson Valley.
  • Former WKU catcher Jordan Newton slugged his first home run of the season since returning to affiliated ball with high A Bradenton.
  • Former Campbellsville catcher and 2010 Diamondbacks NDFA Richie Rowland was 3-4 with a double, walk and two RBI for rookie-level Missoula.
  • Frankfort native and 2010 Royals draftee Cameron Conner slugged his first professional home run for the rookie-level AZL Royals.
  • Danville native and 2010 Tigers draftee Patrick Cooper took a no decision after surrendering four runs in six innings for short-season Connecticut.

MiLB roundup: Relievers shine, Langfels homers as most leagues take the night off; Wunderlich streaking

Minor League Baseball

Jayson Langfels; EKU photo

An abbreviated roundup of Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action as most leagues did not play yesterday:

  • Each of the three Kentucky MiLB teams had the day off.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher and 2010 Nationals draftee Neil Holland pitched a scoreless inning for short-season Vermont and hasn’t surrendered an earned run in his first seven professional outings over nine and two-third innings. On the season he has struck out 10 batters and walked just one.
  • Former UofL infielder and 2010 Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich extended his hitting streak to nine games.
  • Former EKU third baseman and 2010 Rockies draftee Jayson Langfels slugged his first professional home run for short-season Tri-City.
  • In that same game, Boyd County native and 2010 Royals NDFA Tyler Gatrell picked up his fifth save with a scoreless inning for the AZL Royals. Gatrell hasn’t surrendered an earned run in his first eight professional outings and has struck out 15 while walking just three in eight and one-third innings.
  • Former UK outfielder Antone DeJesus was 1-2 with a triple and two RBI for AA Springfield.
  • Frankfort native and 2010 Royals draftee Cameron Conner was 1-3 with a triple, walk, RBI and run scored for the rookie-level AZL Royals.

2010 Draftees Minor League Debuts

Minor League Baseball

Marcus Nidiffer; BluGrass Baseball photo

Most of the 2010 draftees who have already signed professional contracts have a few Minor League games under their belt by now so I thought I’d update you on their early performances. Check out the list below, organized by draft position, with Minor League team listed and Kentucky connection in parentheses:

  • RHP Thomas Royse (UofL) — Great Falls Voyagers — 0-0, 1 GS, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
  • 2B Chris Bisson (UK) — Eugene Emeralds — Has not played
  • OF Lance Ray (UK) — Elizabethton Twins — 5-23 (.217), 2 RBI, 2 R
  • SS Jonathan Roof (Paducah) — AZL Rangers — Has not played
  • RHP Neil Holland (UofL) — Vermont Lake Monsters — 0-0, 2 G, 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
  • 2B Adam Duvall (UofL) — Salem-Keizer Volcanoes — 2-11 (.182), 3 R
  • SS Drew Lee (Morehead St.) — Bristol White Sox — 8-23 (.348), 5 RBI, 3 R
  • 1B Andrew Clark (UofL) — Spokane Indians — 11-28 (.393), 2 RBI, 3 R
  • 3B Michael Mosby (Hawesville) — Bluefield Orioles — 4-10 (.400), 1 RBI, 3 R
  • RHP Patrick Cooper (Danville) — Not assigned to a team
  • 3B Jayson Langfels (EKU) — Tri-City Dust Devils — 2-15 (.133), 1 RBI
  • 1B Wes Cunningham (Murray St.) — Eugene Emeralds — 1-14 (.071), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
  • OF Cameron Conner (Frankfort) — AZL Royals — 3-18 (.167), 1 RBI
  • C Jeff Arnold (UofL) — Salem-Keizer Volcanoes — 4-14 (.286), 2 R
  • 2B Matt Payton (WKU) — GCL Phillies — 2-19 (.105)
  • RHP Matt Little (UK) — Connecticut Tigers — 0-0, 4 G, 1 SV, 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
  • LHP Jarrett Casey (NKU) — Bristol White Sox — 0-1, 2 G, 1 SV, 2.2 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO
  • 1B Tyler Oliver (Lexington) — 7-18 (.389), 5 RBI, 2 R
  • RHP Stephen Shackleford (Louisville) — 0-1, 2 G, 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
  • LHP Dean Kiekhefer (UofL) — 0-1, 1 G, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • OF Jeremy Shelby (Lexington) — Bluefield Orioles — 1-8 (.125), 2 R, 1 SB
  • LHP Bart Carter (WKU) — Fort Myers Miracle — 3 G, 4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
  • RHP Matt Ridings (WKU) — Out for season after Tommy John Surgery
  • 2B Patrick Brady (Bellarmine) — AZL Mariners — 0-4, 1 R
  • LHP Bob Revesz (UofL) — Johnson City Cardinals — 0-0, 1 G, 2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • C Marcus Nidiffer (UK) — Greenville Astros — 7-16  (.438), 2 RBI, 2 R
  • 3B Gunner Glad (UK) — Elizabethton Twins — 5-20 (.200), 3 R
  • RHP Tyler Gatrell (Boyd Co.) — AZL Royals — 0-0, 2 G, 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
  • OF J. D. Ashbrook (Morehead St.) — 2-11 (.182), 1 R
  • C Richie Rowland (Campbellsville) — 9-17 (.529), 3 RBI, 3 R

Ray signs with Twins; More MiLB Assignments

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball

UK Athletics Wallpaper

University of Kentucky junior first baseman and outfielder Lance Ray has signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins as the team’s eighth-round pick. Ray was a little-used reserve for UK during the first half of the 2010 season, but after moving into the starting lineup full-time during conference play he quickly became the team’s best hitter. Ray finished the season batting .356 with 10 home runs and 36 RBI but didn’t qualify for the batting title with only 118 at-bats. If Ray had qualified for the title he also would have led the team in on-base percentage (.458) and slugging percentage (.720). Ray made his professional debut Tuesday for the rookie Elizabethton Twins, playing alongside former UK teammate Gunner Glad. Ray was 0-4 with a strikeout in his debut.

Now that the rookie leagues’ seasons are underway several other 2010 Kentucky draftees have received their first professional assignment. We listed several assignments earlier this week, but here are the latest we’ve seen listed by draft order.

* — Glad and Gatrell were non-drafted free agents.

Shackleford signs; Cowgill honored; Webb throws again; Paxton, Perry in negotiations with MLB teams

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball


Latest Kentucky-related baseball news:

  • Trinity High School alum and Savannah College of Art and Design junior right-handed pitcher Stephen Shackleford has signed a professional contract with the San Francisco Giants as the teams 35th round pick according to a SCAD news release.
  • Earlier this week we reported Franklin County High School alum and Indiana University Southeast junior outfielder Cameron Conner had signed with the Royals as the team’s 20th round pick. For more information about Conner check out the video above and this story from the IUSE media relations department about Conner being the school’s first ever MLB draft selection.
  • Former University of Kentucky outfielder and Lexington native Collin Cowgill was selected to Baseball America‘s weekly Prospect Hot Sheet. Cowgill checked in at No. 12 on the list while 2009 Lexington Legend Jordan Lyles was ranked No. 2 and 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rod Matt Moore was ranked No. 7. Former University of Louisville third baseman Chris Dominguez was included on the “Not-So Hot Sheet.”
  • Ashland native and former UK pitcher Brandon Webb was satisfied with his most recent bullpen session as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
  • Former UK pitcher James Paxton‘s father spoke with Lyndon Little of the Vancouver Sun and said the family was thrilled Paxton was selected by the Seattle Mariners.
  • Boyle County native and UK signee Blake Perry hasn’t decided whether he will sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks as the team’s sixth-round pick or attend UK, Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate Messenger reports.