Cody Rogers

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods, Legends all lose; Adam Duvall, Jake Shaffer streaking; Justin Marks gets first win

Minor League Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto‘s poor rehab start put the Louisville Bats in an early hole in a 19-3 loss to Columbus. Cueto surrendered eight runs on nine hits in one and two-third innings.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied just five hits in a 9-5 loss to Lake County. Left fielder Cody Rogers slugged his second home run of the season.
  • The Savannah Sand Gnats used a four-run eighth inning to send the Lexington Legends to a 6-5 loss. Third baseman Michael Kvasnicka was 3-4 with one double, one triple, one RBI and one run scored, and designated hitter Chris Wallace slugged his league-leading sixth home run of the season.
  • Owensboro native and former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks earned his first win of the season after surrendering three runs on seven hits in five innings while striking out six batters and walking one.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall extended his hitting streak to nine games for low A Augusta with a single.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to seven games with a single for AA Jackson.
  • Paducah native Jonathan Roof scored two runs and drove in three in a double-header for low A Hickory.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond scored three runs in a double-header for low A Hickory.
  • Louisville native Zack Cox was 2-4 for high A Palm Beach.

MiLB Roundup: Two Legends slug three HRs in win; Bats, Hot Rods win; Shelby, Wunderlich, Roof homer; Ross wins

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Lexington Legends had a rare offensive outburst in an 18-9 win over Asheville. Both catcher Chris Wallace and designated hitter Telvin Nash each slugged three home runs. Wallace was 5-6 with nine RBI and four runs scored, and Nash was 5-6 with four RBI and four runs scored.
  • The Louisville Bats returned to its winning ways with a 6-4, 13-inning victory over Indianapolis. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey surrendered two hits in five scoreless innings in a rehab appearance for the Bats. Second baseman Kris Negron was 3-5 with one double and two runs scored, and outfielder Brian Barton slugged a home run.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods rallied for a 7-6 win over Lake County. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 2-4 with one home run, one double, three RBI and one run scored. Left fielder Cody Rogers and second baseman Hector Guevara both homered.
  • LCA alum Robbie Ross earned his first win of the season after surrendering four hits in six shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking three for high A Myrtle Beach.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored for AA Montgomery.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, one walk and one stolen base for low A Hickory.
  • Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-4 with one RBI, one walk and one run scored for low A Hickory.
  • Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor extended his hitting streak to six games with a single and two RBI for high A Lakeland.
  • Paducah native Jonathan Roof slugged his first professional home run and scored twice for low A Hickory.

Phil Wunderlich headlines Hot Rods’ Opening Day roster

Minor League Baseball

The Bowling Green Hot Rods have released the team’s 2011 Opening Day roster, which is headlined by a former UofL slugger. Check out the roster below with the town where the player resides and information about how he was acquired by the Rays:

Pitchers

  • RHP Jairo De La Rosa — Santo Domingo, DR — FA (2002)
  • RHP Nate Garcia — San Jose, Cal. — 16th round (2010)
  • RHP Stephen Hiscock — Beacon Falls, Conn. — FA (2010)
  • RHP Austin Hubbard — Auburn, Ala. — 14th round (2010)
  • RHP George Jensen — Eagen, Minn. — 46th round (2010)
  • RHP William Kline — Belden, Miss. — 2nd round (2007)
  • LHP Braulio Lara — San Pedro de Macoris, DR — FA (2008)
  • RHP Victor Mateo — Santo Domingo, DR — FA (2006)
  • LHP Jimmy Patterson — Tempe, Ariz. — 18th round (2010)
  • LHP Chris Rearick — Pooler, Ga. — 41st round (2010)
  • LHP C. J. Riefenhauser — Mahopac, N.Y. — 20th round (2010)
  • RHP Wilking Rodriguez — Puerto Cabello, VZ — FA 2007
  • LHP Enny Romero — Santo Domingo, DR — FA 2008
  • LHP Matthew Stabelfield — Turlock, Cal. — 41st round (2009)
  • RHP Eliazer Suero — Haina, DR — FA 2007

Catchers

  • Lucas Bailey — LaGrange, Ga. — 4th round (2009)
  • Kyle Holloway — Deerfield Beach, Fla. — FA (2001)
  • Alejandro Torres — Caracas, VZ — FA (2006)

Infielders

  • Phil Wunderlich — Louisville, Ky. — 12th round (2010)
  • Derek Dietrich — Clermont, Fla. — 2nd round (2010)
  • Robi Estrada — El Segundo, Cal. — 19th round (2006)
  • Hector Guevara — San Felix, VZ — FA (2008)

Outfielders

  • Todd Glaesmann — Woodway, Tex. — 3rd round (2009)
  • Kevin Klermaier — Ft. Wayne, Ind. — 31st round (2010)
  • Cody Rogers — White Oak, Tex. — 7th round (2009)
  • Nick Schwaner — Slidell, La. — 30th round (2010)

UofL ranked No. 21 in preseason poll; Louisville Slugger to appeal Montana court ruling; Strange offseason jobs

College Baseball

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • The University of Louisville is ranked No. 21 in the preseason ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll.
  • Courier-Journal columnist Eric Crawford reports UofL is close to completing a plan to double the size of Jim Patterson Stadium, the home of the baseball Cards.
  • UofL has also announced its 2011 television schedule, including two national games on CBS College Sports. The April 12 game vs. the University of Kentucky will be aired throughout the state on the Wazoo Sports Network.
  • Angela Brandt of the Helena Independent Record reports the Hillerich & Bradsby Co., owner of Louisville Slugger, is appealing an $800,000 jury award for “the family of a teenage pitcher who died from injuries sustained when a batted ball struck him in the temple.” The jury ruled against Hillerich & Bradsby because they said the company should have warned the bat user about its danger. The company disputes that reasoning.
  • The Dallas Morning News notes former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb is selling used cards in Ashland this offseason.
  • Benjamin Hill of MiLB.com profiles 2010 Bowling Green Hot Rods outfielder Cody Rodgers, who is working this offseason as a prosthetic technician. In case you don’t recognize the career, Ross is making artificial limbs.

July Awards: Bowling Green Hot Rods

Minor League Baseball

In the fourth July awards post we’ll look at the month’s best performances from the Bowling Green Hot Rods:

Hitter of the month: 2B Tyler Bortnick

  • Hot Rods speedster Tyler Bortnick will probably never confuse anyone for a middle-of-the-order slugger, but he does his job well at the top of the Bowling Green lineup. In July he led all Hot Rods with a .341 batting average. He also scored 12 times, drove in eight runs and stole 11 bases.
  • Honorable Mention: Cody Rogers, Bennett Davis, Gabe Cohen, Brett Nommensen

Pitcher of the month: RHP Scott Shuman

  • July was not kind to Hot Rods starting pitcher, but several relievers posted standout performances headlined by closer Scott Shuman. The right-handed pitcher went 2-0 with a 2.84 ERA and two saves in nine appearances. Shuman struck out 20 and walked eight in 12 and two-thirds innings.
  • Honorable Mention: Jake Sullivan, Deivis Mavarez, Alex Koronis, Aaron Dott, Tyree Hayes

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods all win; Ross wins third straight; Newton, Shaffer each drive in four

Minor League Baseball

Jordan Newton; Photo by MWLguide via Flickr

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Louisville Bats right-handed pitcher Matt Maloney earned his third consecutive win in three starts after pitching seven shutout innings in Louisville’s 2-0 win over Charlotte. Maloney surrendered just two hits and struck out five batters while walking none.
  • Lexington Legends left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz struck out ten batters and surrendered just one run in seven and two-third innings to lead the Legends to a 4-1 win over Delmarva. Left fielder Jacob Goebbert was 2-4 with two doubles and three RBI in the win.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods finished the perfect night for Kentucky minor league teams with a 6-3 win over Dayton. Left fielder Cody Rogers and designated hitter Bennett Davis both homered for the Hot Rods.
  • LCA alum Robbie Ross picked up his third consecutive win for high A Baskersfield after surrendering two runs on three hits in seven innings. Ross struck out five and walked two.
  • Boyle County native and 2010 Tigers draftee Patrick Cooper was promoted to low A West Michigan where he took a no decision in his first start after surrendering one run in five innings.
  • Former UofL infielder Justin McClanahan slugged his third home run of the season for high A Dunedin.
  • Former WKU catcher Jordan Newton was 3-6 with four RBI for high A Bradenton.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-5 with a double and four RBI for high A High Desert.
  • Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee extended his hitting streak to 11 games for rookie-level Bristol.
  • Paducah native and Shawn Roof was promoted to AAA Toledo where he went 2-4 in his debut.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=571576

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Ray homers; Richmond has big night; Royse gets no decision

Minor League Baseball

Juan Francisco; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Right-handed pitcher Matt Maloney surrendered just one unearned run in six innings to lead the Louisville Bats to an 11-2 blowout win over Charlotte. Shortstop Zach Cozart, third baseman Juan Francisco, outfielder Wladimir Balentein and catcher Wilkin Castillo each homered in the game for Louisville.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored three runs in the eighth inning to earn a 7-5 come-from-behind win over Peoria. Designated hitter Cody Rogers homered and right fielder Brett Nommensen was 3-4.
  • The Lexington Legends were off Monday.
  • Former UK infielder and 2010 Padres draftee Chris Bisson was 3-4 for short-season Eugene.
  • Former UK outfielder/first baseman and 2010 Twins draftee Lance Ray slugged his first professional home run for low A Beloit.
  • Former UofL outfielder and 2010 Rangers draftee Joshua Richmond reached base five times via four walks and a single for short-season Spokane. He scored twice and drove in one run. In four professional games, Richmond is 5-13 (.385) with five RBI and four runs scored.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox draftee Thomas Royse took a no decision for rookie-level Great Falls after surrendering four runs in six innings. Royse struck out seven and walked none.
  • Boyd County native and 2010 Royals NDFA Tyler Gatrell picked up his sixth save of the season for the rookie-level AZL Royals and still hasn’t surrendered an earned run in his professional career over 10 appearances.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t416&gid=2010_07_19_louaaa_chraaa_1&cid=416&t=g_box

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legend, Hot Rods each win; Martinez promoted to AA; Nidiffer streaking; Marks good in July

Minor League Baseball

Juan Francisco; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Third baseman Juan Francisco blasted his second home run of the game in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Louisville Bats to an 8-7 win over Lehigh Valley. Francisco finished the game 2-4 with two home runs, five RBI and two runs scored. One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker surrendered seven runs in four innings for the Bats.
  • Former EKU infielder and Robards native Neil Sellers was 0-3 with one RBI in his return to Kentucky for Lehigh Valley.
  • The Lexington Legends held off a late Hickory Crawdads rally to earn a 3-2 win Thursday. Legends outfielder J. D. Martinez was 2-3 with a walk and a run scored in what turned out to be his last game with Lexington. Following the win Martinez was promoted by the Astros to AA Corpus Christi. Martinez led the South Atlantic League in eight offensive categories at the time of his promotion.
  • Right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates was almost unhittable for seven innings to lead the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 7-0 blowout win over Burlington. Yates surrendered just two hits in seven innings and struck out while walking just two batters. Left fielder Cody Rogers was 2-3 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer‘s three-game home run streak ended for rookie-level Greeneville, but he went 2-4 with a double and run scored Thursday to extend his hitting streak to seven games. He’s 13-31 (.419) with three home runs, nine runs scored and five RBI during the streak.
  • Former UofL left-handed starting pitcher Justin Marks continued his season turnaround for low A Cane County with his third win of the season after pitching six shutout innings Thursday. Marks struck out 10 and walked just two and is now 1-1 with a 2.04 ERA in three July starts but is just 3-10 with a 4.97 ERA on the season.
  • Former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor was 2-3 with three runs scored and a walk for low A West Michigan.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-4 with a double and three RBI for high A High Desert and has a six-game hitting streak. Shaffer is batting .364 in July.
  • Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock took a no decision after surrendering five runs in four innings for high A Bradenton.

MiLB Roundup: Big day for Shelbys

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats defeated Columbus 4-2 in the first game of a two-game series. Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke earned his sixth win of the season after allowing two runs in five and one-third innings.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods offense exploded for 11 runs in a 11-5 win over Lansing. Designated hitter Cody Rogers was 3-4 with  a home run, one RBI and four runs scored.
  • The West Virginia Power scored one run in the eighth inning to defeat the Lexington Legends 6-5. Legends designated hitter J. D. Martinez was 3-4 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • Lexington native Jeremy Shelby had his best professional game to-date with a 4-5, two home run, five RBI, three runs scored performance for rookie-level Bluefield.
  • Jeremy’s older brother and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-5 with his sixth home run of the season for AA Birmingham.
  • Former UK outfielder Lance Ray was promoted to low A Beloit.
  • Former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer launched his third home run for rookie-level Greenville.
  • Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 3-5 with four RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former EKU third baseman Neil Sellers blasted his third home run of the season for AAA Lehigh Valley.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones fell to 7-3 for high A Winston-Salem despite surrendering just four runs in six innings.
  • Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe picked up his sixth win of the season despite surrendering six runs in five and one-third innings.
  • Louisville native Richard Sullivan earned his second win of the season with three and one-third scoreless innings of relief for AA Mississippi.

MiLB Roundup: Bats win, Legends overcome Dominguez homer; Hot Rods lose; Rowland’s streak snapped

Minor League Baseball

Matt Klinker; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights from Wednesday MiLB action:

  • Right-handed pitcher Matt Klinker surrendered just one hit in six innings in the Louisville Bats 6-1 win over Indianapolis. Shortstop Zack Cozart was 2-5 with a home run and three RBI.
  • Right-handed pitcher Juan Minaya struck out six batters in five innings in the Lexington Legends‘ 4-1 win over Augusta.
  • Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez was 2-4 with a home run for Augusta.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods wasted a strong performance from starting pitcher Wilking Rodriguez when the bullpen blew a late lead in a 5-4 loss to Dayton. Left-fielder Cody Rogers was 3-4 with two runs scored.
  • Former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Henry Mabee extended his scoreless innings streak to 13 and one-third innings with a two and one-third innings appearance for AA Birmingham.
  • Former Campbellsville catcher Richie Rowland‘s 13-game hitting streak was snapped with an 0-3 performance, but he did reach base via walk for rookie-level Missoula.
  • Former UK outfielder Lance Ray was 2-4 with a run scored and a stolen base rookie-level Elizabethton.