Chris Rusin

MiLB roundup: Wunderlich HR leads Hot Rods to win; Bats, Legends lose; Arnold has three hits; Strieby, Shelby homer

Minor League Baseball

Jeff Arnold; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored a single run in the ninth inning to earn a 9-8 win over Lake County. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 3-5 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored, and shortstop Derek Dietrich was 2-4 with one home run, five RBIs and two runs scored.
  • The Louisville Bats blew a ninth-inning lead in a 6-5 loss to Buffalo. Shortstop Zach Cozart was 3-4 with one home run, one RBIs and one run scored, and third baseman Todd Frazier was 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • The Lexington Legends and Hagerstown Suns each tallied 11 hits, but the Legends left 11 men on base in an 8-2 loss. First baseman Tyler Burnett was 3-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
  • Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold was 2-4 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored for low A Augusta.
  • Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby slugged his fourth home run and drove in two runs for AAA Toledo.
  • Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade earned his first win of the season with a scoreless inning of relief for AAA Durham and boasts a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings in 2011.
  • Danville native Patrick Cooper earned his first win of the season with two scoreless innings of relief for low A West Michigan
  • Former UK infielder Gunner Glad was 2-4 with one double, two RBIs and one run scored for low A Beloit.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby slugged his fourth home run of the season for AA Montgomery.
  • Former UK infielder Chris Bisson drove in three runs for low A Fort Wayne.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering four runs on five hits in five innings while striking out six batters and walking two for AA Tennessee.
  • Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer took the loss in his season debut, surrendering four runs on eight hits in three and two-third innings for AAA Iowa.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Jeff Arnold vs. Legends; Rusin post quality start; Cowgil, Shaffer streaking

Minor League Baseball

Jeff Arnold; UofL Sports wallpaper

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats tallied 14 hits in a 10-1 win over Norfolk. Shortstop Zack Cozart was 5-5 with four doubles, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey surrendered one run on five hits in six and one-third innings in a rehab appearance.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied eight hits in a 2-0 win over Great Lakes. Left-handed pitcher Enny Romero took a no decision after surrendering four hits in five shutout innings while striking out seven batters and walking four. Right-handed pitcher Omar Bencomo earned the win with three shutout innings of relief.
  • Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold slugged a home run, drove in two runs and scored twice to lead Augusta to a 5-1 win over the Lexington Legends. First baseman Tyler Burnett was 2-3 with one run scored.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill extended hits hitting streak to nine games for AAA Reno with a 2-5 performance. Cowgill had a triple, one RBI and two runs scored and has multiple hits in seven of his last eight games.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a 2-4 performance for AA Jackson.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking none.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with one run scored for High A San Jose.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for low A Hickory.
  • Lexington native and former UK infielder Michael Bertram was 2-3 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AA Erie.
  • Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 2-3 with one walk and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
  • One-time UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, who transferred to Texas A&M, took a no decision after surrendering four runs on six hits in six and one-third innings while striking out four batters and walking one.

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Jake Shaffer streak hits 10 games; Collin Cowgill, Seth Bynum homer; Rusin takes no decision

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats received a strong start from rehabbing Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey and pounded out 13 hits in a 9-0 win over Toledo. Bailey surrendered three hits in five and one-third shutout innings while striking out six batters and walking one. Designated hitter Yonder Alonso, first baseman Eric Eymann and second baseman Kris Negron each homered in the game.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 10 games and was 3-6 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored for AA Jackson. Shaffer is batting .368 with three home runs, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored on the season.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 2-5 with one triple, one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for AAA Reno.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking one for AA Tennessee.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum slugged his second home run of the season for AAA Syracuse.
  • Trinity alum Tyler Kuhn was 2-4 with one double, one triple, one RBI, one walk and two runs scored for AA Birmingham.

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.

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Hot Rods lose; Legends split DH; Shelby has three hits; Ray homers; Wiley, Shaffer streaking

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats scored five runs in the first inning and added some late insurance in a 10-4 win over Indianapolis. One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker earned the win after surrendering three runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out two batters and walking one. Center fielder Dave Sappelt was 3-5 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods‘ late rally fell just short in a 3-2 loss to Fort Wayne. Right-handed pitcher Eliazer Suero surrendered two hits in five scoreless innings of relief while striking out two batters and walking none.
  • The Lexington Legends split a double-header with Hagerstown with a 1-0 loss in game one and a 6-4 win in game two. In game one right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz took the loss despite surrendering just one run on five hits in six innings while striking out three batters and walking one. In game two first baseman Tyler Burnett was 2-2 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Hagerstown right fielder Bryce Harper, the 2010 No. 1 pick, slugged his first professional home run in game two.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 3-5 with one RBI and two runs scored for AA Montgomery.
  • Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley extended his hitting streak to five games for low A Rome with a 2-4, one double, one walk and two runs scored performance.
  • Former UK first baseman Lance Ray slugged his first home run and scored three times for low A Beloit.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended hits hitting streak to five games with a double for AA Jackson.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision despite surrendering six runs on nine hits in four innings in a start for AA Tennessee. Rusin struck out five batters and walked one.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb struggled in his season debut for low A Lansing and took a loss after surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in three innings.

MiLB roundup: Hot Rods win; Bats, Legends lose; Strieby, Bynum homer; Rusin gets win in Opening Day start

Minor League Baseball
Chris Rusin; Photo by UK Athletics

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

Check out the first daily summary of Kentucky MiLB action below. Links take you to the player’s MiLB.com page:

  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods opened the 2011 season with a 4-0 win over Dayton. Enny Romero surrendered one hit in five scoreless innings while striking out eight batters and walking one to earn the win. Former UofL third baseman Phil Wunderlich was 0-4 in his Hot Rods’ debut.
  • The Lexington Legends suffered a 6-1 loss in the team’s season opener versus Charleston. Eastern High School alum Jason Chowning struck out one batter in a scoreless inning in his Legends’ debut.
  • The Louisville Bats dropped their Opening Day game 11-6 to Toledo. Catcher Devin Mesoraco was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored in the game.
  • Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 1-5 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored for AAA Toledo.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin earned the win after surrendering three runs on four hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking one for AA Tennessee in his Opening Day start.
  • Butler High School alum Seth Bynum was 2-4 with one home run, five RBI, one run scored and one double for AAA Syracuse.
  • Former UK infielder Michael Bertram was 2-3 with one double for AA Erie.
  • Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 2-3 for AA San Antonio.
  • Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-4 with one run scored for low A Hickory.
  • Covington native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones struck out two batters in two scoreless innings for AA Birmingham.
  • Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade surrendered one hit in two scoreless innings for AAA Durham.
  • Louisville native and former Murray St. first baseman Wes Cunningham was 1-2 with one walk, one run scored and one stolen base for low A Fort Wayne.
  • PRP alum Zack Cox was 2-4 with one double for high A Palm Beach.

Webb officially a Texas Ranger; UofL picked to finish 3rd in Big East by coaches; Wright, Ijames named all Big-east

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Brandon Webb; Photo by SD Dirk via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb plans to be ready for Spring Training but isn’t making firm timetables like last season.
  • Durrett also breaks down the process that led Webb to wear No. 33 in Texas to honor his late friend Jon Hooker, who was his roommate and teammate at UK and died in the flight 5195 crash.
  • Big East baseball coaches have picked the University of Louisville to finish third in the league. Junior infielder Ryan Wright and redshirt junior outfielder Stewart Ijames were both named to the preseason All-Big East team.
  • College Baseball Lineup (formerly Ping! Baseball) named Wright a preseason third team All-American.
  • Jim Callis of Baseball America ranks former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin‘s changeup and control as the best in the Chicago Cubs’ system.
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com reports the Cincinnati Reds have signed former MLB outfielder Jeremy Hermida to a minor-league contract. If Hermida doesn’t make the MLB roster out of Spring Training he could end up with the Louisville Bats.

BluGrass Baseball 2011 predictions

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

Predictions, based on pure speculation, for 2011 Kentucky baseball that are sure to go wrong:

  • University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer finally cashes in on the promise that had him ranked among the top prospects to attend college in 2008 with an All-SEC season. Meyer’s performance secures his status as a first-round pick this June.
  • Ashland native and 2006 Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb rebounds after missing  most of two seasons with a shoulder injury to win 15 games for the reigning American League champion Texas Rangers.
  • University of Louisville junior infielder Ryan Wright is named a postseason first-team All-American after leading the Cards to their third consecutive Big East Conference championship.
  • The Lexington Legends unveil the new “Ale-8-One Ballpark.”
  • The National League all-star team features three players born in Kentucky: Corey Hart, Dan Uggla and Jonny Venters.
  • Western Kentucky University wins the Sun Belt Conference and enters the NCAA tournament as a two seed.
  • UofL (Stewart Ijames, Tony Zych, Derek Self, Ryan Wright, Drew Haynes and Gabriel Shaw) and WKU (Jared Andreoli, Kes Carter, Ivan Hartle, Matt Rice, Rye Davis and Brian Edelen) both have six players drafted in June.
  • Four members of UK’s vaunted junior class are selected in the draft: Meyer, Cory Farris, Chad Wright and Braden Kapteyn. Senior Taylor Black is also selected.
  • Kentucky’s three Ohio Valley Conference schools each see one player drafted: Eastern Kentucky University junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez, Murray State University junior catcher Jacob Rhodes and Morehead State University senior infielder Travis Redmon.
  • Morehead St. infielder Bud Morton wins the 2011 BluGrass Baseball freshman of the year award, Meyer wins pitcher of the year and Wright wins player of the year.
  • PRP alum Zack Cox wins BluGrass Baseball MiLB player of the year and former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin wins MiLB pitcher of the year.
  • Nine Kentucky minor leaguers make their MLB debuts in 2011: Matt Klinker, Josh Lueke, Trystan Magnuson, Collin Cowgill, Christian Friedrich, Jason Kipnis, Nathan Adcock, Chaz Roe and Ryan Strieby.
  • Harrison County High School repeats as KHSAA state baseball champions.
  • Tates Creek High School outfielder and WKU signee Ryan Fucci wins Mr. Kentucky Baseball.
  • After losing much of its recent talent to the majors the Louisville Bats run of playoff appearances ends.
  • Boosted by the Tampa Bay Rays signing six players from the first three rounds of the 2010 draft, the Bowling Green Hot Rods finish 2011 as the state’s best minor league team.

Adcock, Shaffer, Nidiffer win BluGrass Baseball MiLB awards

Minor League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

The 2010 MiLB season is over for all but a handful of Kentucky minor leaguers still active in the playoffs, so it is time for the BluGrass Baseball 2010 MiLB awards.

Hitter of the year: OF Jake Shaffer (High A High Desert)

  • Former NKU outfielder and Walton native Jake Shaffer excelled during his first full professional season in 2009 but brought his game to a new level in 2010. Shaffer led all Kentucky minor leaguers in batting average (.336), on-base percentage (.388) and slugging percentage (.511). The left-handed batter spent all but three games of 2010 at High Desert and slugged nine home runs, drove in 78 runs and scored 58 times.
  • Honorable Mention: Former UK outfielder, turned second baseman, Jason Kipnis finished second to Shaffer in batting average (.307), on-base percentage (.386) and slugging percentage (.492) and led Kentucky minor leaguers with 96 runs scored…Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill slugged 16 home runs, drove in 83 runs and scored 89 times…Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez led the state with 21 home runs and 101 RBI.

Pitcher of the year: RHP Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton)

  • Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock has struggled since being drafted out of North Hardin High School in 2006, but came into his own this season. Adcock finished the season 11-7 with a 3.38 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 141 and one-third innings. The right-handed pitcher ranked among the top five Kentucky MiLB pitchers in ERA, strikeouts, batting average against, wins and innings pitched.
  • Honorable Mention: LCA alum Robbie Ross was 12-11 with a 3.58 ERA and 111 strikeouts…Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin was 6-4 with a 3.11 ERA in an injury-shortened season…One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker was 11-10 with a 3.79 ERA between AA Carolina and the Louisville Bats.

Rookie of the year: C/1B Marcus Nidiffer (Short-season Tri-City)

  • Former UK catcher and 2010 Astros non-drafted free agent Marcus Nidiffer spent his debut season proving he deserved to be selected in the 2010 draft. In 69 games between rookie Greeneville and short-season Tri-City, Nidiffer batted .286 with 14 home runs, 36 RBI and 40 runs scored. Nidiffer’s 14 home runs ranked fifth among all Kentucky MiLB players, including full-season ones.
  • Honorable Mention: Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich led Kentucky rookies with a .330 batting average…Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell was 2-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 11 games for rookie-level Elizabethton…Boyd County native Tyler Gatrell saved 13 games for the GCL Royals

Kentucky MiLB Pitching Leaderboard

Minor League Baseball

In the second leaderboard post we’ll look at the top statistical pitching performers from around Kentucky MiLB action. Remember comparisons across leagues are difficult, so this leaderboard should be considered a starting point for examining the best performances from Kentucky minor leaguers this season.

ERA

  • Chris Rusin (AA Tennessee) – 3.11
  • Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 3.38
  • Robbie Ross (High A Bakersfield) – 3.58
  • Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 3.79
  • Marty Popham (High A Kinston) – 4.05

Strikeouts

  • Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 138
  • Justin Marks (High A Stockton) – 136
  • Chaz Roe (AAA Colorado Springs) – 115
  • Marty Popham (High A Kinston) – 113
  • Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 113

BA Against

  • Chris Rusin (AA Tennessee) – .240
  • Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – .243
  • Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – .255
  • Justin Marks (High A Stockton) – .258
  • Robbie Ross (High A Kinston) – .267

Wins

  • Robbie Ross (High A Bakersfield) – 12
  • Nathan Jones (High A Winston-Salem) – 11
  • Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 11
  • Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 11
  • Daniel Calhoun (Low A Quad Cities) – 10

Saves

  • Josh Lueke (AAA Tacoma) – 17
  • Tyler Gatrell (R GCL Royals) – 13 *
  • Steven Blevins (AA New Britain) – 10
  • Mike Perconte (High A Daytona) – 7
  • Three pitchers tied at 5

Innings Pitched

  • Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 163.2
  • Chaz Roe (AAA Colorado Springs) – 158
  • Nathan Jones (High A Winston-Salem) – 152.1
  • Robbie Ross (AA Frisco) – 146
  • Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 141.1