Cincinnati Reds Prospects

Kearns bad fit for Reds; Manager promoted; Heisey praised

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

Chris Heisey; Photo via Flickr

More hot stove rumors, baseball commits and minor league news in some Thursday morning links:

  • John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Lexington-native Austin Kearns probably only makes sense for the Reds if he would agree to a minor league deal.
  • Bowling Green Hot Rods 2009 manager Matt Quatraro has been promoted to Tampa Bay Rays minor league hitting coordinator.
  • Norm Sanders of the Belleville News-Democrat in Illinois reports UofL commit Jake DePew might consider going pro instead of ending up in Louisville.
  • Speaking of baseball commitments, the national signing period is open for baseball so in the coming days we should be getting official word from the Universities about commitments signing their letters of intent.
  • 2009 Bat Chris Heisey and teammate Yonder Alonso were both 0-3 with a walk for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League.
  • Ben Badler of Baseball America tweets from the AFL game that Heisey is one of the “smartest baserunners” he’s seen in the minors.

Wellemeyer files for free agency; More schedule breakdown

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
Todd_Wellemeyer

Todd Wellemeyer; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Another Bluegrass native has filed for free agency. Check out that story and more in some Tuesday morning links:

  • Bellarmine alum Todd Wellemeyer has filed for free agency, and Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports he is unlikely to return to St. Louis following a disappointing season.
  • In a related not, Wellemeyer is on Twitter, but hasn’t tweeted since June. His silence roughly coincides with the decline of his season.
  • WKUSports.com has a breakdown of Western’s fall baseball series.
  • The Lexington Herald Leader looks at UK’s 2010 baseball schedule.
  • The estate of baseball’s first free agent Curt Flood will auction off Flood memorabilia at the Louisville Slugger Museum Saturday.
  • 2009 Bat Chris Hesiey was 0-5 and teammate Yonder Alonso was 1-4 for Peoria of the Arizona Fall League. Louisville reliever Sean Watson pitched 1.2 scoreless innings and closer Logan Ondrusek allowed two unearned runs in one frame.

Webb staying; Kearns going; Uggla’s future uncertain

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
brandon webb

Brandon Webb; Photo by SD Dirk via Flickr

Friday was a busy day for baseball as the offseason officially gets started. There were plenty of contract option decisions and free agency filings. Here’s a rundown of the contract moves affecting BluGrass players:

  • Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports the D’Backs picked up UK alum and Ashland-native Brandon Webb’s option.
  • The Associated Press reports the Nationals decline Austin Kearns option.
  • Here’s MLBTradeRumors’ comprehensive list of free agents, including Bellarmine alum Todd Wellemeyer. He has yet to formally file for free agency, but has until Nov. 20 to do so.
  • David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News writes that Joe Blanton’s impending arbitration raise will affect the Phillies’ budget this offseason.
  • Joe Frisaro of MLB.com writes that Louisville-native Dan Uggla may be the next player moved out of Florida after the Marlins traded Jeremy Hermida.
  • Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports the Astros added two former Legends to the 40-man roster.
  • 2009 Bat Chris Heisey hit his fifth home run of the AFL season, and teammate Yonder Alonso was o-3.

Wednesday Links: College roundup

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
UK Athletics Wallpaper

UK Athletics Wallpaper

If you missed it, the Yankees are now up 3-1 in the ALCS against the Angels. With New York and Philadelphia both just a victory away from the world series we may be looking at a Joe Blanton game three or four start in Philadelphia against the Yankees. But Tuesday was full of Kentucky college news, so here are some links to get you caught up:

  • Aaron Fitt at Baseball America answers a question from a Lexington reader about former UK coach John Cohen in his college recruiting chat.
  • UK Athletics has a news release about the BA recruiting class rankings.
  • The Swiss Cheese team, behind freshman Kyle Grieshaber, earned the win in game one of UofL Baseball’s Fall Pizza Bowl scrimmage.
  • WKU Baseball is continuing fall practice before its fall scrimmage on Nov. 5-7.
  • Murray State baseball has released its 2010 schedule.
  • Chris Heisey was 3-4 with two runs and a double for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League. Yonder Alonso was 1-5. Bats reliever Sean Watson pitched two scoreless innings while former Legend Daniel Meszaros surrendered two runs in one-third inning.