Gabriel Shaw

BluGrass Baseball Preseason Pitching Leaderboard

College Baseball

Throughout the college baseball season BluGrass Baseball publishes a weekly statistics leaderboard for Kentucky collegians. As part of the 2011 college baseball preview we’ll begin the weekly leaderboard series with a look at the top five returners in each statistical category from 2010. Yesterday we looked at the top returning hitters, so today we give the pitchers their turn. To qualify for the ERA and batting average against, pitchers must have a minimum of 1.0 IP per team game.

ERA

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 4.01
  • Damon McCormick — Valparaiso (St. X) — 5.35
  • Anthony Bazzani — EKU — 5.47
  • Jordan Cooper — UK — 5.71
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 6.02

Wins

  • Derek Self — UofL — 7-0
  • Damon McCormick  — Valparaiso (St. X) — 7-1
  • Josh Schneider — Morehead St. — 7-5
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 6-6
  • 6 players tied with 5 wins each

Strikeouts

  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 71
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 63
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 63
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 55
  • Casey Lucchese — College of Charleston (PLD) — 52

Innings Pitched

  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 83.2
  • Taylor Rogers — UK — 83.0
  • Anthony Bazzani — EKU — 77.1
  • Stephen Hefler — EKU — 70
  • Damon McCormick — Valparaiso (St. X) — 67.1

Saves

  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 12
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 9
  • Gabriel Shaw — UofL — 3
  • Cody Gibson — Morehead St. — 3
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 2
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 2

Batting Average Against

  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — .278
  • Anthony Bazzani — EKU — .282
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .286
  • Damon McCormick — Valparaiso (St. X) — .289
  • Jordan Cooper — UK — .303

Appearances

  • Rye Davis — WKU — 33
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 30
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 29
  • Gabriel Shaw — UofL — 28
  • Derek Self — UofL — 27

Offseason position battle: UofL closer

College Baseball

In the final post in the “offseason position battle” series we will look at the vacant University of Louisville closer position.

The departed — Right-handed pitcher Neil Holland, a 2010 junior and Washington Nationals draftee, was 8-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 17 saves last season. The first-team all-Big East Conference reliever struck out 59 batters and walked 16 in 56 and one-third innings. Holland led Kentucky collegians in saves and was tied for third in appearances (29). The Nationals selected Holland with their pick in the 11th round of the 2010 draft. Holland was 2-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 19 games during his professional debut.

Returning candidates — Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych all but has the closer position wrapped up and is considered to be the top reliever draft prospect in college baseball. Zych was 5-2 with a 5.13 ERA in 2010, but was much more effective after head coach Dan McDonnell removed him from the starting rotation. As a freshman Zych saved two games for the Cards. This summer he was named a Cape Cod League all-star and received the postseason Cape awards for top draft prospect and top reliever…Senior right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw saved three games for UofL in 2010 and was 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 28 games, including three starts. Shaw may move into the starting rotation for the Cards in 2011, but if he remains in the bullpen he could serve as a valuable insurance option to Zych. He struck out 41 batters and walked just eight in 46 and one-third innings last season. Shaw also saved three games for UofL as a sophomore in 2009.

Newcomers to watch — Freshman right-handed pitcher Dace Kime is the highest drafted player to attend a Kentucky college this season after turning down the Pittsburgh Pirates contract offer as the team’s eight-round pick. Kime could be a potent weekend reliever if he doesn’t break the starting rotation to begin the season…Freshman right-handed pitcher Chad Green was the 37th round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010. He struck out 107 batters as a senior in high school and should provide another strong arm in the Cards’ bullpen.

Wildcard — McDonnell has a plethora of starting pitcher candidates in redshirt sophomore Justin Amlung, junior Derek Self, redshirt sophomore Mike Nastold, sophomore Matt Koch, Kime, Green and Shaw. The loser of the battle between Amlung, Self, Nastold and Koch for the weekend rotation spots would present another valuable reliever for the Cards. Self was 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 2010 when 19 of his 27 appearances came out of the bullpen.

Offseason position battle: UofL weekend starting pitcher

College Baseball

In the second University of Louisville post in the “Offseason position battle” series we will look at the two vacant weekend starting pitcher slots:

The departed: Big East pitcher of the year Thomas Royse has moved on to professional ball after going 9-1 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts for the Cards in 2010. Royse, who was the third-supplemental round pick of the Chicago White Sox, struck out 99 batters and walked just 26 in 104.1 innings pitched last season. Left-handed pitcher Dean Kiekhefer made 10 starts for UofL in 2010 before moving to professional ball as the 36th round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch finished the 2010 season as a weekend starter and is likely to begin 2011 in the same position. UofL returns several mid-week starters from 2010 and welcomes a plethora of talented freshman so there is no shortage of candidates for the vacant weekend starting slot.

Returning candidates: Redshirt sophomore Justin Amlung is the only returning Card who made at least 10 starts last season and is likely a favorite to slide into one of weekend starting slots. Amlung was 5-2 with a 4.27 ERA in 2010…Senior right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw pitched mostly out of the bullpen for UofL in 2011, but held his own in three starts. On the season Shaw was 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA but was 1-1 in three starts, highlighted by a seven-inning, one-run performance against West Virginia…Junior Derek Self was 7-0 with a 4.52 ERA in 27 games including eight starts for UofL in 2010. This summer he was named a Cape Cod League All-Star after going 3-0 with a 2.36 ERA for the Chatham Anglers…Koch, Shaw, Amlung and junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle each received at least one start during the fall Pizza Bowl series…After missing all of 2010 with an injury redshirt sophomore Mike Nastold made two starts during the Pizza Bowl. Nastold made six starts as a freshman in 2009.

Newcomers to watch: Freshman right-handed pitcher Dace Kime was the eighth round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2010 an arrives at UofL after receiving All-American honors as a senior at Defiance High School in Ohio. As a senior Kime was 7-1 with a 1.31 ERA and 108 strikeouts…Freshman right-handed pitcher Chad Green was the 37th round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2010 draft after going 9-2 with a 1.65 ERA and 107 strikeouts as a senior at Effingham High School in Illinois…Freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Thompson pitched four and two-third scoreless innings in a Pizza Bowl start during fall practice…Freshman left-handed pitcher Cody Edge boasted a miniscule 0.97 ERA as a senior at Cherokee Washington High School in Iowa and allowed one run in three and two-third innings during the Pizza Bowl.

Wildcard: Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych was recently rated the No. 25 college draft prospect by Baseball America. Zych has enjoyed most of his college success as a reliever but did make five starts for UofL to begin the 2010 season. That experiment was an unmitigated failure but head coach Dan McDonnell may not be able to resist trying such a talent in the rotation again. Zych was named a Cape Cod League All-Star last summer and received the league’s postseason best pro prospect and best relief pitcher awards.

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.

Draft Preview: University of Louisville

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

The Cards have more important things than the draft to worry about tonight with a elimination game against Vanderbilt in the NCAA regional, but the next three days could have huge implications for several Cards. Baseball America projects UofL to have six hitters drafted, but the Cards draft prospects are led by their weekend ace. Check out breakdowns of those players and more below:

The sure thing

  • Junior right-handed ace Thomas Royse was untouchable at times during the 2010 season en route to being named Big East Conference pitcher of the year. Baseball America ranks Royse the No. 182 prospect in the draft due to his low-to-mid 90s fastball and good control. Royse is 9-1 with a 2.91 ERA for UofL this season and struck out 94 in 99 innings while walking just 25. BA projects the Lexington native to go between the fourth and sixth rounds.

Other prospects of note:

  • Junior outfielder Josh Richmond missed much of the season with a hand injury, but his five-tool talent could land him a selection in the first 10 rounds. Richmond was projected as high as a third-rounder entering the season, but his injury history will likely hurt his stock on draft day. Richmond will need to prove he’s health in summer ball to whatever team drafts him, though he may return to UofL for another year to improve his stock.
  • Redshirt sophomore outfielder Stewart Ijames missed the 2009 season with a shoulder injury, but rebounded in 2010 to bat .328 with 14 home runs. Ijames profiles only as a left-fielder as a professional and might be a difficult sign due to his two remaining years of collegiate eligibility.
  • No on has ever doubted junior third baseman Phil Wunderlich‘s power, but his lack of a true position hurts his value. The slugger will likely have to move to first as a pro and will hope to be selected in the mid rounds of the draft.
  • Senior first baseman Andrew Clark was selected by the Chicago Cubs as their 31st round pick in 2009 and likely improved his draft stock with his senior campaign despite missing time with a rib cage injury. Clark profiles as a good defender at first but some scouts question if he has enough power for the position.
  • Junior right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw was projected to close for UofL entering the season but instead did a little of everything else. He experience success as a starter in limited action, perhaps boosting his stock. Shaw might improve his stock by starting for an entire season as a senior.
  • Junior closer Neil Holland was one of the NCAA’s top relievers in 2010 and will have a chance to replicate that success in professional ball as a mid-to-late round pick. Holland held opposing batters to a .151 average on the season.
  • Senior catcher Jeff Arnold and senior shortstop Adam Duvall will have a chance to stick in professional ball as mid-to-late-round senior signs.

Other Eligible Juniors

  • OF Drew Haynes
  • LHP Bob Revesz
  • INF Mark Grieshaber
  • LHP Dean Kiekhefer
  • C J. J. Ethel
  • OF Nate Holland
  • LHP Brian Feekin

Other Eligible Seniors

  • RHP Tyler Mathis
  • RHP Matt Lea
  • C Justin Haywood

High School Signees

  • Baseball America ranks Bullitt East RHP Brandon Alphin one of six Kentucky high schoolers likely to be drafted.
  • BA ranks RHP Jeff Thompson the No. 20 prospect in Indiana.
  • RHP Dace Kime and LHP Joel Bender are among the top prep talents in Ohio but are both believed to be headed to Louisville after battling minor injuries this season.
  • BA ranked C Jake Depew the No. 20 prospect in Illinois.
  • Baseball America also projects Illinois RHP Chad Green could blossom into an early-round pick if he follows through on his UofL commitment.

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboad: June 1

College Baseball

Check out the pitching leaderboard updated through conference tournament action. Stats are final for every team except UofL, which is still playing in the NCAA tournament. To qualify for the ERA and batting average against, pitchers must have a minimum of 1.0 IP per team game, which makes Murray St. left-handed pitcher Matt McGaha the only eligible full-time reliever. Stats are current through Sunday. The college leaderboard is now permanently accessible on its own page on the left sidebar here.

ERA

  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 2.91
  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 3.01
  • Matt McGaha — Murray St. — 3.90
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 4.01
  • Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — 4.31

Wins

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 9-1
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 9-1
  • Neil Holland — UofL — 8-0
  • Alex Love — Murray St. — 8-1
  • Derek Self — UofL — 7-0
  • Josh Schneider — Morehead St. — 7-5

Strikeouts

  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 94
  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 90
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — 80
  • Chris Craycraft — Murray St. — 72
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 71

Innings Pitched

  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 99.0
  • Matt Ridings — WKU —92.2
  • Chris Craycraft — Murray St. — 92.2
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — 87.1
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 83.2

Saves

  • Neil Holland — UofL — 16
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 12
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 9
  • Matt Little — UK — 7
  • Dan Huff — Murray St. — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — .218
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — .252
  • Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — .264
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — .270
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — .278

Appearances

  • Rye Davis — WKU — 33
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 30
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 29
  • Neil Holland — UofL — 27
  • Gabriel Shaw — UofL — 27
  • Matt McGaha — Murray St. — 27

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: May 25

College Baseball

Check out the final regular season pitching leaderboard below. As with the offensive categories, stats will continue to update for postseason teams, but this represents the final update for Morehead St. and likely UK. To qualify for the ERA and batting average against, pitchers must have a minimum of 1.0 IP per team game, which makes Murray St. left-handed pitcher Matt McGaha the only eligible full-time reliever. Stats are current through Sunday. The college leaderboard is now permanently accessible on its own page on the left sidebar here.

ERA

  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 2.71
  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 3.01
  • Matt McGaha — Murray St. — 3.36
  • Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — 4.28
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — 4.89

Wins

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 9-1
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 9-1
  • Neil Holland — UofL — 7-0
  • Derek Self — UofL — 7-0
  • Josh Schneider — Morehead St. — 7-5

Strikeouts

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 90
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 88
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — 74
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 64
  • Chris Craycraft — Murray St. — 64

Innings Pitched

  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 93.0
  • Matt Ridings — WKU —92.2
  • Chris Craycraft — Murray St. — 85.2
  • Taylor Rogers — UK — 83.0
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — 81.0

Saves

  • Neil Holland — UofL — 15
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 11
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 9
  • Matt Little — UK — 7
  • Dan Huff — Murray St. — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — .218
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — .249
  • Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — .258
  • Matt McGaha — Murray St. — .272
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — .275

Appearances

  • Rye Davis — WKU — 32
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 28
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 28
  • Neil Holland — UofL — 25
  • Gabriel Shaw — UofL — 25
  • Matt McGaha — Murray St. — 25

UofL clinches second consecutive Big East title

College Baseball

No. 11 University of Louisville clinched its second consecutive Big East Conference championship with a double-header sweep of Notre Dame Saturday. The Cards took defeated the Fighting Irish 13-3 in game two to secure the regular season championship after a 4-3 win in game one.

“One of our biggest goals for this season was to win the BIG EAST regular season title and we were able to do that,” Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell, who is now 181-73 in his fourth season with two BIG EAST regular season titles and two BIG EAST Tournament titles, said in a news release. “We have so much respect for this league, as well as the coaches and players in it. Anytime you can win the regular season title, that is a huge accomplishment and I’m very proud of these guys because it’s never easy. Now, we’ll turn our focus to the post-season, and hopefully, even more great things for this program.”

Senior shortstop Adam Duvall was 5-9 on the afternoon with two home runs, three runs scored and six RBI. Freshman designated hitter Cade Stallings had his best performance of the season with a 3-3 performance in game two. Sophomore second baseman Ryan Wright also homored in game one. Redshirt freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung earned the championship-clinching victory with six shutout innings in game two. Junior right-handed reliever Gabriel Shaw earned the game-one win. (Box Score GM1) (Box Score GM 2)

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: Week 14

College Baseball

In the second weekly statistics leaderboard update, we’ll look at the pitching categories. To qualify for the ERA and batting average against, pitchers must have a minimum of 1.0 IP per team game, which makes Murray St. left-handed pitcher Matt McGaha the only full-time reliever eligible. Stats are current through Sunday. The college leaderboard is now permanently accessible on its own page on the left sidebar here.

ERA

  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 2.61
  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 3.16
  • Matt McGaha — Murray St. — 3.29
  • Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — 4.20
  • Chris Craycraft — Murray St. — 4.77

Wins

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 9-1
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 9-1
  • Neil Holland — UofL — 7-0
  • Derek Self — UofL — 7-0
  • Josh Schneider — Morehead St. — 7-4

Strikeouts

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — 85
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 82
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — 69
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 64
  • Chris Craycraft — Murray St. — 63

Innings Pitched

  • Matt Ridings — WKU —88.1
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — 86.1
  • Chris Craycraft — Murray St. — 82.1
  • Taylor Rogers — UK — 79.0
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — 63.2

Saves

  • Neil Holland — UofL — 13
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 9
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 9
  • Matt Little — UK — 7
  • Dan Huff — Murray St. — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Matt Ridings — WKU — .223
  • Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — .254
  • Thomas Royse — UofL — .255
  • Matt McGaha — Murray St. — .272
  • Shane Cameron — WKU — .278

Appearances

  • Rye Davis — WKU — 31
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 25
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 25
  • Neil Holland — UofL — 23
  • Gabriel Shaw — UofL — 23
  • Matt Little — UK — 23

BluGrass Baseball Friday Review: Week 13

Uncategorized
Check out these recaps from a wild day of games for Kentucky schools and the video of the day’s hero above:
  • No. 9 University of Louisville suffered a rare Big East series opening loss with an 8-5 loss to St. Johns Friday. Junior right-handed pitcher Thomas Royse took a no decision after allowing four runs in seven innings. Junior right-handed reliever Gabriel Shaw took the loss after allowing two runs in one inning of work. Redshirt sophomore right fielder Stewart Ijames was 2-4 with a home run, two RBI and one run scored. Senior first baseman Andrew Clark also tallied three hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • Senior Matt Ridings was almost unhittable in a sterling 2-1 win for Western Kentucky University over Louisiana-Lafayette.  Ridings allowed one run on two hits in eight and one-third innings while striking out eight and walking two. Junior closer Rye Davis pitched the final two-third innings to earn his ninth save of the season. Senior second baseman Matt Payton and freshman designate hitter Ryan Huck each tallied two hits. (Box Score)
  • Junior designated hitter Lance Ray gave the University of Kentucky a dramatic 11-9 win over LSU with a three-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth. Ray also launched a three-run home run in the first inning and finished the game 2-4 with two home runs, six RBI and three runs scored. Freshman right-handed reliever Walter Wijas held LSU scoreless on two hits in four and one-third innings out of the pen, and right-handed pitcher Braden Kapteyn was credit with the win. (Box Score)

Hitter of the Day: DH Lance Ray (UK)

  • Stats: 2-4, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Stewart Ijames (UofL), Andrew Clark (UofL), Chad Wright (UK), Ryan Huck (WKU)

Pitcher of the Day: RHP Matt Ridings (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 8.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Thomas Royse (UofL), Walter Wijas (UK)