Kentucky Rookie MiLB Leaderboard

Minor League Baseball

Yesterday we looked at the hitting and pitching leaderboards for full-season Kentucky minor leaguers in advance of the BluGrass Baseball MiLB awards post. If you saw that post you already know former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer was named the rookie of the year, but looking at the statistical leaders among players that made their professional debuts in 2010 is still helpful.

Batting Average (2.7 PA/team game)

Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – .330
Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – .295
Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – .291
Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .290
Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .289

On-base Percentage

Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .415
Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – .401
Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .372
Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – .372
Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – .372

Slugging Percentage

Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – .535
Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) — .478
Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .449
Drew Lee (R Bristol) – .435
Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .417

Runs

Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 40
Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – 34
Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – 32
Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 32
Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 31

Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 14
Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 5
Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – 5
Adam Duvall (SS Salem-Keizer) – 4
Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 4
Jayson Langfels (SS Tri-City) – 4

RBI

Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – 41
Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 39
Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 36
Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 36
Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – 34

Stolen Bases

Cameron Conner (R Idaho Falls) – 15
Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 9
Matt Payton (R GCL Phillies) – 9
Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – 7
Chris Bisson (SS Eugene) – 5
Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 5

Hit the jump to see the pitching leaders.

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MiLB Roundup: Legends win; Bats, Hot Rods lose; Jones, Casey, Popham earn wins; Gaynor, Cowgill, Shelby homer

Minor League Baseball

Chris Dominguez; UofL Photo

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats fell out of first place in the International League West Division after a 4-1 loss to Toledo. Right fielder Danny Dorn homered for Louisville.
Former UK infielder Michael Bertram homered for Toledo in the game.
The Lexington Legends closed out August with back-t0-back 10-run games in a 10-7 win over Hagerstown. Designate hitter Ben Heath slugged his fourth home run for Lexington and tenth home run of the season.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods finished their 2010 home schedule with a 13-9 loss to Fort Wayne. Right fielder Burt Reynolds hit a grand slam in his only at-bat for the Hot Rods.
Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 4-4 with a double, triple and four RBI for low A Augusta.
Former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 4-5 with a home run, double, three RBI and two runs scored for low A West Michigan.
Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill slugged his 16th home run of the season for AA Mobile.
Former UK outfielder John Shelby slugged his tenth home run of the season for AA Birmingham.
Former NKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox draftee Jarrett Casey earned his first professional win after pitching six shutout innings in a start for rookie-level Bristol.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones improved to 11-5 on the season after pitching seven shutout innings in a start for high A Winston-Salem.
Former Murray St. first baseman and 2010 Padres draftee Wes Cunningham slugged his fifth home run for short-season Eugene.
Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham improved to 7-6 on the season after surrendering just two unearned runs in six innings for high A Kinston.
LCA alum Robbie Ross took a loss despite surrendering just two runs in six innings for high A Bakersfield.
Louisville native Seth Bynum was 3-4 with a double and run scored for AAA Syracuse.
Paducah native Daniel Webb was promoted to low A Lansing where he debuted with a loss after surrendering six runs, only two of which were earned, in five innings.

MiLB Roundup: Legends catcher hits three HRs in loss; Cooper defeats Hot Rods; Bats lose; Rusin, Marks win

Minor League Baseball

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats snapped their eight-game winning streak with a 12-4 loss to Columbus. Designated hitter Wladimir Balentien was 2-4 with a triple, home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
The Lexington Legends blew an 8-2 sixth inning lead in an eventual 10-8 loss to West Virginia. Catcher Ben Heath posted one of the best performances of the season, going 3-4 with three home runs, seven RBI and three runs scored.
Danville native and 2010 Tigers draftee Patrick Cooper held the Bowling Green Hot Rods scoreless for six and one-third innings in a 4-2 West Michigan win. Cooper surrendered just two hits in the start.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin won his second consecutive start for AA Tennessee after surrendering two unearned runs in six innings. Rusin struck out six and walked one.
One-time UK outfielder Jason Kipnis was 2-5 with a home run, two RBI and one run scored for AA Akron.
Former UK catcher and 2010 Astros NDFA Marcus Nidiffer was promoted to short-season Tri-City of the New York-Penn League where he went 1-3 in his debut.
Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll slugged his seventh home run of the season for AA San Antonio.
Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged his 18th home run and drove in four runs for low A Augusta.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks picked up his second consecutive win after surrendering one run in six innings for high A Stockton.
Former NKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox draftee Jarrett Casey surrendered just five hits in 10 shutout innings but still took a no decision for rookie-level Bristol.

MiLB Roundup: Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Jones picks up eighth win; Wilson homers; Ray perfect at plate

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Lexington Legends pounded out 15 hits en route to a 9-4 win over Hagerstown. First baseman Kody Hinze was 2-5 with two doubles, one RBI and three runs scored.
The Lansing Lugnuts scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 10-9 loss. First baseman Ryan Wiegand was 2-4 with a home run, double, three RBI and one run scored.
The Louisville Bats were off Monday.
Former NKU left-handed pitcher Jarrett Casey fell to 0-4 on the season for rookie-level Bristol despite surrendering just one run on three hits in six innings. Casey struck out six and walked just one.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones earned his eighth win of the season with a quality start for high A Winston-Salem. Jones surrendered three runs on nine hits in six innings and struck out three.
Former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with a double, run scored and two stolen bases for AA Birmingham.
Former UK first baseman Lance Ray was 3-3 with a RBI and run scored for low A Beloit.
Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich tallied three hits and scored one run for short-season Hudson Valley.
Paducah native and 2010 Rangers draftee Jonathan Roof was 3-4 with a double, RBI and run scored for low A Hickory.
Covington native Neil Wilson slugged his fourth home run of the season for AAA New Orleans.
Louisville native and 2010 Giants draftee Stephen Shackleford picked up his first professional save with two scoreless innings for the rookie-level AZL Giants.
Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee saw his 14-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-3 performance for rookie-level Bristol.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Cowgill homers; Richmond perfect at plate; Lee’s streak hits 10 games

Minor League Baseball

Drew Lee; Morehead St. photo

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

Three different Louisville Bats homered in the team’s 7-5 win over Charlotte. First baseman Yonder Alonso, third baseman Juan Francisco and designated hitter Wladimir Balentien each launched a long ball for Louisville.
Bowling Green Hot Rods left-handed pitcher Kyle Lobstein earned his seventh win of the season in the Hot Rods’ 5-3 win over Dayton. Lobstein surrendered three runs in seven innings and struck out five while walking none.
The Lexington Legends were off Wednesday.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision for high A Daytona despite surrendering just two unearned runs in five innings. Rusin struck out five and walked none.
Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill slugged his 13th home run of the season for AA Mobile.
Former UK catcher Sean Coughlin was 3-4 with two doubles and two runs scored for AA Mobile.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher and 2010 Cardinals draftee Bob Revesz earned his second win of the season with three scoreless innings of relief for rookie-level Johnson City.
Former UofL outfielder and 2010 Rangers draftee Josh Richmond was 3-3 with a walk and two runs scored for short-season Spokane.
Former NKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox draftee Jarrett Casey recorded his longest outing of the season since being moved to the rookie-level Bristol starting rotation but still took a loss after surrendering one earned run in six innings.
Also playing for rookie-level Bristol, former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee extended his hitting streak to ten games with a 2-3 performance.

MiLB Roundup: Hot Rods win; Bats, Legends fall; Rowland’s streak at 7 games; Lee, Roof homer; Little promoted

Minor League Baseball

Richie Rowland; Photo: Campbellsville University

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky Minor League action:

The Louisville Bats lost a heart-breaker 5-4 to the Durham Bulls on a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the tenth inning. Bats first baseman Yonder Alonso was 3-5 in the game.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods recorded their second 2-0 shutout in 10 games with a win over the Lansing Lugnuts. Right-handed pitcher Alexander Colome held the Lugnuts scoreless through six and two-third innings while striking out six batters, and third baseman Julio Cedeno was 2-3 with a run scored, RBI and stolen base.
Lexington Legends ace and Houston Astros 2009 second-round pick Tanner Bushue recorded his wort start to-date in a 7-4 loss to the Hickory Crawdads. Bushue surrendered seven runs in just four and one-third innings.
Former Campbellsville University catcher Richie Rowland extended his hitting streak to seven games and with a 2-4, two-run-scored performance for the rookie-level Missoula Osprey. In eight professional games, Rowland is batting .538 with five RBI and five runs scored.
Former UK outfielder Lance Ray was 2-4 with two doubles and one run scored for the rookie-level Elizabethon Twins and is 5-11 over the last two games.
Former UK closer Matt Little has been promoted to the low A West Michigan Whitecaps where he pitched one and one-third scoreless innings with one strikeout in his debut.
Former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor was 2-5 with two RBI and two runs scored in that same game for the Whitecaps.
Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer posted his third consecutive three-hit performance for the high A High Desert Mavericks and is 9-12 with four runs scored over that span.
Former NKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 draftee Jarrett Casey picked up his second save in three appearances for the rookie-level Bristol White Sox with three scoreless innings.
In that same game former Morehead St. shortstop Drew Lee was 2-5 with his first professional home run, four RBI and one run scored for the White Sox.
Paducah native Daniel Webb took the loss for the short-season Auburn Doubledays after surrendering three runs in five and two-third innings. He struck out four and walked one.
Paducah native Eric Roof was 2-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored for the short-season Connecticut Tigers.
In that same game Danville native Patrick Cooper made his professional debut with a scoreless inning pitched for the Tigers. He struck out two.

2010 Draftees Minor League Debuts

Minor League Baseball

Marcus Nidiffer; BluGrass Baseball photo

Most of the 2010 draftees who have already signed professional contracts have a few Minor League games under their belt by now so I thought I’d update you on their early performances. Check out the list below, organized by draft position, with Minor League team listed and Kentucky connection in parentheses:

RHP Thomas Royse (UofL) — Great Falls Voyagers — 0-0, 1 GS, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
2B Chris Bisson (UK) — Eugene Emeralds — Has not played
OF Lance Ray (UK) — Elizabethton Twins — 5-23 (.217), 2 RBI, 2 R
SS Jonathan Roof (Paducah) — AZL Rangers — Has not played
RHP Neil Holland (UofL) — Vermont Lake Monsters — 0-0, 2 G, 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
2B Adam Duvall (UofL) — Salem-Keizer Volcanoes — 2-11 (.182), 3 R
SS Drew Lee (Morehead St.) — Bristol White Sox — 8-23 (.348), 5 RBI, 3 R
1B Andrew Clark (UofL) — Spokane Indians — 11-28 (.393), 2 RBI, 3 R
3B Michael Mosby (Hawesville) — Bluefield Orioles — 4-10 (.400), 1 RBI, 3 R
RHP Patrick Cooper (Danville) — Not assigned to a team
3B Jayson Langfels (EKU) — Tri-City Dust Devils — 2-15 (.133), 1 RBI
1B Wes Cunningham (Murray St.) — Eugene Emeralds — 1-14 (.071), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
OF Cameron Conner (Frankfort) — AZL Royals — 3-18 (.167), 1 RBI
C Jeff Arnold (UofL) — Salem-Keizer Volcanoes — 4-14 (.286), 2 R
2B Matt Payton (WKU) — GCL Phillies — 2-19 (.105)
RHP Matt Little (UK) — Connecticut Tigers — 0-0, 4 G, 1 SV, 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
LHP Jarrett Casey (NKU) — Bristol White Sox — 0-1, 2 G, 1 SV, 2.2 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO
1B Tyler Oliver (Lexington) — 7-18 (.389), 5 RBI, 2 R
RHP Stephen Shackleford (Louisville) — 0-1, 2 G, 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
LHP Dean Kiekhefer (UofL) — 0-1, 1 G, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
OF Jeremy Shelby (Lexington) — Bluefield Orioles — 1-8 (.125), 2 R, 1 SB
LHP Bart Carter (WKU) — Fort Myers Miracle — 3 G, 4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
RHP Matt Ridings (WKU) — Out for season after Tommy John Surgery
2B Patrick Brady (Bellarmine) — AZL Mariners — 0-4, 1 R
LHP Bob Revesz (UofL) — Johnson City Cardinals — 0-0, 1 G, 2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
C Marcus Nidiffer (UK) — Greenville Astros — 7-16 (.438), 2 RBI, 2 R
3B Gunner Glad (UK) — Elizabethton Twins — 5-20 (.200), 3 R
RHP Tyler Gatrell (Boyd Co.) — AZL Royals — 0-0, 2 G, 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
OF J. D. Ashbrook (Morehead St.) — 2-11 (.182), 1 R
C Richie Rowland (Campbellsville) — 9-17 (.529), 3 RBI, 3 R

Minor league assignments for 2010 draftees

Minor League Baseball

Chris Bisson; Photo: UK Athletics

Minor League Baseball short-season league play began over the weekend, and rookie leagues are set to start this week so most of the 2010 Kentucky draftees have been given their first professional assignments. You can always access these assignments for all Kentucky minor leaguers on the “Ky. in the Minors” page, but here’s a rundown of the players making their professional debuts listed in draft order:

Thomas Royse — University of Louisville — Rookie Great Falls Voyagers
Chris Bisson — University of Kentucky — Short-Season Eugene Emeralds
Jonathan Roof — Paducah, Ky., Michigan St. — Rookie AZL Rangers
Neil Holland — University of Louisville — Short-Season Vermont Lake Monsters
Adam Duvall — University of Louisville — Short-Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Drew Lee — Morehead State University — Rookie Bristol White Sox
Andrew Clark — University of Louisville — Short-Season Spokane Indians
Jayson Langfels — Eastern Kentucky University — Short-Season Tri-City Dust Devils
Wes Cunningham — Murray State University — Short-Season Eugene Emeralds
Jeff Arnold — University of Louisville — Short-Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes
Matt Little — University of Kentucky — Short-Season Connecticut Tigers
Jarrett Casey — Northern Kentucky University — Rookie Bristol White Sox
Dean Kiekhefer — University of Louisville — Rookie Johnson City Cardinals
Patrick Brady — Bellarmine University — Rookie AZL Mariners
Bob Revesz — University of Louisville — Rookie Johnson City Cardinals
Marcus Nidiffer — University of Kentucky — Rookie Greenville Astros
Daniel Webb — Paducah, Ky., (2009 Draftee) — Short-Season Auburn DoubleDays

There are nine other confirmed Kentucky signees from the 2010 draft that have yet to be assigned a team so look for an update later this week when Rookie level rosters are finalized.

Roof, Lee, Cunningham, Payton, Little, Casey sign pro deals

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Wes Cunningham: BluGrass Baseball photo

Draft pick signings are coming in fast and furious now as team’s look to fill their short-season rosters in time for the start of league play Friday. Here are the latest Kentucky signings I’ve seen:

Paducah native and Michigan State junior shortstop Jonathan Roof has signed a professional contract with the Texas Rangers as the team’s eighth round pick.
Morehead State University All-Ohio Valley Conference senior shortstop Drew Lee has signed with the Chicago White Sox as the team’s 12th round pick.
BluGrass Baseball player of the year and Murray State University senior first baseman Wes Cunningham has signed with the San Diego Padres as the team’s 17th round pick.
Western Kentucky University senior second baseman Matt Payton has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as the team’s 27th round pick.
University of Kentucky junior right-handed closer Matt Little has signed with the Detroit Tigers as the teams 31st round pick.
Northern Kentucky University senior left-handed pitcher Jarrett Casey has signed with the White Sox as the team’s 32nd round pick.

MLB Draft Day Three Breakdown

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

Matt Rice bats for WKU: BluGrass Baseball photo

Kentucky selections from the third and final day of the MLB amateur player’s draft:

31st Round (943) — RHP Matt Little — UK — Tigers
32nd Round (959) — RHP Justin Hageman — Hopkinsville High School — Royals
32nd Round (968) — LHP Jarrett Casey — NKU — White Sox
35th Round (1046) — 1B Tyler Oliver — Wabash Valley JC (LCA, UK verbal) — Nationals
35th Round (1068) — RHP Stephen Shackleford — Savannah College of Art & Design (Trinity HS) — Giants
35th Round (1073) — SS J.T. Riddle — Western Hills High School (UK signee) — Red Sox
36th Round (1080) — RHP Rye Davis — WKU — Indians
36th Round (1099) — LHP Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — Cardinals
37th Round (1116) — RHP Chad Green — Effingham, Ill. (UofL signee) — Blue Jays
38th Round (1138) — CF Jeremy Shelby — Grambling St. (Lexington) — Orioles
38th Round (1162) — OF Lucas Witt — Lexington Christian Academy (UK signee) — Dodgers
39th Round (1180) — RHP Casey Lucchese — College of Charleston (Paul Laurence Dubar) — Cubs
39th Round (1185) — LHP Bart Carter — WKU — Twins
41st Round (1229) — RHP Matt Ridings — WKU — Royals
42nd Round (1286) — LHP Corey Littrell — Trinity High School (UK signee) — Nationals
44th Round (1345) — LHP David Middendorf — NKU — Yankees
45th Round (1358) — OF Ronald Cotton — Boone County HS — White Sox
47th Round (1418) — 2B Matt Reida — Indiana (UK signee) — White Sox
48th Round (1452) — INF Patrick Brady — Bellarmine — Mariners
49th Round (1489) — LHP Bob Revesz — UofL — Cardinals
50th Round (1525) — C Matt Rice — WKU — Yankees