Jacob Goebbert

Gaynor named Tigers’ all star; Nidiffer, Legends named Astros’ all stars; Reber homers in UK scrimmage

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jacob Goebbert; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links and highlights from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Ashley Marshall, writing for MLB.com, named former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor to the Detroit Tigers organizational all-star team.
  • Josh Jackson, writing for MLB.com, named former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer and 2010 Lexington Legends infielder Jose Altuve, outfielders J. D. Martinez and Jacob Goebbert, designated hitter Kody Hinze and starting pitcher Jose Cisnero to the Houston Astros organizational all-star team.
  • The University of Kentucky‘s Thursday scrimmage was highlighted by a three-run home run from freshman infielder Dallen Reber.
  • Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review lists Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer as a possible free-agent acquisition for the Pirates.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke struck out two in a scoreless inning for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

Astros name Goebbert Legends MVP; Colome among Midwest League top prospects: Hart reaches 100 RBI

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jacob Goebbert; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • The Houston Astros named Lexington Legends outfielder Jacob Goebbert the team MVP. Former Legends Brandon Barnes and Koby Clemens were named team MVPs at high A Lancaster and AA Corpus Christi respectively.
  • Jim Callis of Baseball America ranked Bowling Green Hot Rods right-handed pitcher Alexander Colome No. 16 on his top 20 Midwest League prospects list.
  • In the accompanying online chat, Callis touches on a number of Midwest League prospects including former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor.
  • Bowling Green native Corey Hart topped 100 RBI on the season with a RBI Thursday.
  • Paul Gattis of The Huntsville Times reports on the pink movement in professional sports to raise awareness of breast cancer research including the role Louisville Slugger played in the movement.
  • Louisville Bats outfielder Todd Frazier and Team USA will begin pool play at 7:30 tonight in the Pan American/World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

End of season awards: Lexington Legends

Minor League Baseball

The 2010 Minor League Baseball regular season is in the books for the state’s three minor league teams. Today we’ll start a series looking at the season’s best performances from each team and Kentucky alumni in the minors. In the first season awards post we’ll look at the Lexington Legends.

Hitter of the year: OF J. D. Martinez

  • Outfielder J. D. Martinez was selected as the South Atlantic League most valuable player, so picking him as the Legends best offensive player was a no brainer. Martinez batted .362 with 15 home runs, 64 RBI and 83 runs scored in just 88 games. Despite spending the final two months of the season in AA, Martinez still recorded enough SAL plate appearances to win the league batting title. He also led the league in slugging and on-base percentage.
  • Honorable Mention — Outfielder Jacob Goebbert set new Legends records with 98 RBI and 48 doubles…First baseman Kody Hinze also broke the previous team RBI record with 97 and slugged 19 home runs….Second baseman Jose Altuve was named All-league after batting .308 in 94 games.

Pitcher of the year: RHP Jose Cisnero

  • Right-handed starting pitcher Jose Cisnero led the Legends with eight wins, a 3.65 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 133 innings. Cisnero made 26 starts on the season and boasted a 1.29 WHIP. His 126 strikeouts ranked seventh in the South Atlantic League
  • Honorable Mention — Left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz fell just short of qualifying for the league ERA race but boasted a 3.61 mark with 88 strikeouts in 99 and two-third innings…Closer Kirk Clark set the Legends’ single-season and career saves record with 29…Right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue led the team with 133 and two-third innings pitched.

Gaynor picked as Tigers best MiLB performer; Playoff previews; Calhoun named pitcher of week

Minor League Baseball

Jacob Goebbert; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Lynn Henning of The Detroit News highlights the best 2010 performances from Detroit Tigers minor leaguers and picks former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor as the standout offensive performer. Henning highlighted former UK infielder Ryan Strieby‘s balky wrist as the most ominous injury.
  • MiLB.com previews the Southern League playoffs and spotlights former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill in the series between Mobile and Jacksonville.
  • Jason Stella of the Louisville Bats‘ media relations department previews the team’s playoff series with Durham.
  • Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader recaps the Lexington Legends season, highlighting standout performances including outfielder Jacob Goebbert‘s RBI and doubles records.
  • Former Murray St. right-handed pitcher Daniel Calhoun was named Midwest League pitcher of the week after going 3-0 without giving up a run for Quad Cities.

MiLB Roundup: Popham combines on no-no; Goebbert sets RBI record in Legends win; Bats, Hot Rods lose

Minor League Baseball

Henry Mabee; Photo by Wigstruck via Flickr

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham pitched the first seven innings of high A Kinston’s 10-inning combined no-hitter. Popham struck out eight and walked two.
  • The Louisville Bats suffered a 5-3 loss to Indianapolis after a former Florence Freedom pitcher Chris Jakubauskas surrendered three runs in five innings for the Indians. Third baseman Eric Eymann was 2-4 with a run scored for Louisville.
  • The Lexington Legends used a five-run third inning to record a 9-3 win over Rome. Left fielder Jacob Goebbert set the Legends single-season RBI record with a 3-4, two double, two RBI, three-run-scored performance.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods suffered their second straight loss to Great Lakes with a 5-2 defeat. No Hot Rod recorded multiple hits in the game.
  • Former UK outfielder Lance Ray reach based four times for low A Beloit with two singles, two walks and a run scored.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged his 20th home run and 99th RBI for low A Augusta.
  • Former UofL catcher and 2010 Giants draftee Jeff Arnold slugged his third home run of the season for short-season Salem-Keizer.
  • Former EKU infielder Neil Sellers slugged his sixth home run of the season for AAA Lehigh Valley.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones posted a quality start after surrendering three runs in six innings for high A Winston-Salem but still suffered a loss.
  • Former Murray St. left-handed pitcher Daniel Calhoun improved to 10-0 on the season with a win in his third straight appearance for low A Quad Cities.
  • Former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Henry Mabee improved to 4-6 on the season after pitching two and two-third scoreless innings.
  • Danville native and 2010 Diamondbacks draftee Blake Perry mad his professional debut with a scoreless inning for rookie-level Missoula.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb earned his first win for low A Lansing after surrendering one run in six and two-third innings.

MiLB Roundup: Bats lose; Legends, Hot Rods win; Calhoun improves to 9-0; Curley excels after promotion

Minor League Baseball

Chris Curley; Campbellsville University photo

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats lost a game in the International League West Division race, but remained three games up in the wild card despite a 7-5 loss to Indianapolis. First baseman Danny Dorn was 2-4 with a home run.
  • The Lexington Legends scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 6-6 tie in an 8-6 win over Hagerstown. Second baseman Jimmy Paredes and right fielder Jacob Goebbert both homered for Lexington.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods won consecutive games to start a month for the first time this season after a 5-1 win over Dayton. Third baseman Julio Cedeno was 4-5 with a double, RBI and run scored.
  • Former Murray St. left-handed pitcher Daniel Calhoun improved to 9-0 on the season with a win for low A Quad Cities after pitching two scoreless innings of relief.
  • Former Campbellsville infielder Chris Curley was promoted to high A Myrtle Beach, where he went 2-3 with a double and walk in his debut.

August Awards: Lexington Legends

Minor League Baseball

In the second August monthly awards post, we’ll look at the best performances from the Lexington Legends for the month:

Hitter of the month: OF Jacob Goebbert

  • Stats: .390/.453/.520, 1 HR, 27 RBI, 24 R
  • Honorable Mention: Ben Heath, Jimmy Paredes, Kody Hinze, Jiovanni Mier

Pitcher of the month: RHP Tanner Bushue

  • Stats: 2-2, 2.64 ERA, 21 SO/11 BB, 30.2 IP, 5 GS
  • Honorable Mention: Jose Cisnero, Luis Cruz

MiLB Roundup: Bats lose; Legends, Hot Rods win; Shaffer streaking; Adcock gets no decision; Lueke gets save

Minor League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights from Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Paducah native Shawn Roof and the Toledo Mud Hens sent the Louisville Bats to a 6-2 loss. Roof tallied three hits, one RBI and one run scored for the Mud Hens, and right fielder Wladimir Balentien homered for the Bats.
  • Lexington Legends pitchers surrendered just four hits in a 14-1 win over Hagerstown. First baseman Kody Hinze slugged his 17th home run of the season, right fielder Jacob Goebbert drove in five runs and right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero surrendered one run in six innings.
  • Bowling Green Hot Rods pitchers surrendered just three hits in a 4-1 win over Fort Wayne. Catcher Mark Thomas was 2-4 with a double and two RBI.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single for high A High Desert. Monday’s game was the first in the streak in which Shaffer didn’t have multiple hits.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke recorded his 17th save of the season for AA Tacoma.
  • Former Murray St. left-handed pitcher Daniel Calhoun improved to 8-0 on the season after pitching two scoreless innings of relief for low A Quad Cities.
  • Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock took a no decision after surrendering two runs in five innings for high A Bradenton.
  • Louisville native and 2010 Astros draftee Jason Chowning earned his second professional win with three scoreless innings of relief for short-season Tri-City.

MiLB Roundup: Hot Rods win; Legends split with W.V.; Lee goes deep twice; Rowland, Bynum, Oliver homer

Minor League Baseball

Richie Rowland; Photo: Campbellsville University

While draftees may have garnered most of the headlines Monday, current minor leaguers were also in action. Check out some highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB play:

  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over Great Lakes. Left-handed reliever Aaron Dott earned the win after holding the Loon scoreless on three hits in four innings.
  • In the completion of a previously suspended game, the Lexington Legends mustered just five hits in a 5-3 loss to West Virginia. Right-handed reliever Wander Alvino took the loss after surrendering two unearned runs in three and two-third innings.
  • In game two the Legends used seven innings of one run ball from left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz for a 7-1 win over the Power. Left fielder Jacob Goebbert was 2-3 with four RBI and a run scored.
  • The Louisville Bats were off.
  • Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee was 3-5 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored for rookie-level Bristol.
  • Former Campbellsville catcher and 2010 Diamondbacks’ NDFA Richie Rowland slugged his fifth home run of the season for rookie-level Missoula.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum slugged his 12th home run of the season for AAA Syracuse.
  • Lexington native and 2010 Nationals draftee Tyler Oliver was 2-3 with a double, home run, five RBI and two runs scored for the rookie-level GCL Nationals.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his first win for AA Tacoma and improved to 5-2 on the season with two innings of relief.
  • Trinity High School alum Tyler Kuhn was 3-6 with a run scored and two walks in a double header for AA Birmingham.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods win; Cregar, Nidiffer both homer; Marks picks up win

Minor League Baseball

Marcus Nidiffer, center; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Despite a six-run Norfolk seventh inning the Louisville Bats held off the late rally for an 8-7 win Friday. Shortstop Zack Cozart and second baseman Chris Valaika each homered for the Bats.
  • Left fielder Jacob Goebbert continued his hot hitting to lead the Lexington Legends to a 9-6 win over Delmarva. Goebbert was 3-4 with a home run, two RBI and four runs scored.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods held off a late South Bend rally to for a 7-6 win. Third baseman Julio Cedeno was 2-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former UK catcher and 2010 Astros NDFA Marcus Nidiffer slugged his ninth home run of the season for rookie-level Greeneville.
  • Former UK infielder Michael Bertram was promoted to AAA Toledo.
  • Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks earned his first win since being promoted to high A Stockton after surrendering three runs in five innings.
  • Former UofL infielder and 2010 Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich was 3-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former WKU outfielder Chad Cregar slugged his 14th home run of the season for low A Greensboro.
  • Former Murray St. right-handed pitcher Mike Perconte picked up his seventh save of the season for high A Daytona.
  • Former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Henry Mabee earned his second win of the season despite surrendering three runs in one and two-third innings for AA Birmingham.
  • Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe took a no decision for AAA Colorado Springs despite surrendering just one run in seven innings. Roe Struck out seven and walked one.