Jeff Arnold

MiLB roundup: Wunderlich HR leads Hot Rods to win; Bats, Legends lose; Arnold has three hits; Strieby, Shelby homer

Minor League Baseball

Jeff Arnold; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored a single run in the ninth inning to earn a 9-8 win over Lake County. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 3-5 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored, and shortstop Derek Dietrich was 2-4 with one home run, five RBIs and two runs scored.
  • The Louisville Bats blew a ninth-inning lead in a 6-5 loss to Buffalo. Shortstop Zach Cozart was 3-4 with one home run, one RBIs and one run scored, and third baseman Todd Frazier was 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • The Lexington Legends and Hagerstown Suns each tallied 11 hits, but the Legends left 11 men on base in an 8-2 loss. First baseman Tyler Burnett was 3-4 with one RBI and one run scored.
  • Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold was 2-4 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored for low A Augusta.
  • Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby slugged his fourth home run and drove in two runs for AAA Toledo.
  • Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade earned his first win of the season with a scoreless inning of relief for AAA Durham and boasts a 1.00 ERA in 18 innings in 2011.
  • Danville native Patrick Cooper earned his first win of the season with two scoreless innings of relief for low A West Michigan
  • Former UK infielder Gunner Glad was 2-4 with one double, two RBIs and one run scored for low A Beloit.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby slugged his fourth home run of the season for AA Montgomery.
  • Former UK infielder Chris Bisson drove in three runs for low A Fort Wayne.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering four runs on five hits in five innings while striking out six batters and walking two for AA Tennessee.
  • Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer took the loss in his season debut, surrendering four runs on eight hits in three and two-third innings for AAA Iowa.

MiLB roundup: Legends, Hot Rods sweep DHs; Bats lose two; Darnell, Friedrich, Ross, Klinker earn wins

Minor League Baseball

Delino Deshields Jr. slugs home run Tuesday; KyForward photo by Jon Hale

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • In the completion of a game suspended in the third inning on Monday the Lexington Legends exploded for 11 runs over four innings in a 15-2 win over Augusta. First baseman Tyler Burnett, designated hitter Delino Deshields Jr. and right fielder Adam Bailey each homered in the game for Lexington.
  • The Legends continued their hot hitting with a five-run first inning in game two of the double-header and held on for an 8-4 win over the GreenJackets to move into first place in the South Atlantic League South. Deshields was 2-3 with one triple and two runs scored in game two.
  • Louisville natives and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold slugged his second home run of the season in game two for Augusta. Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-4 with one double and one run scored in game one for the GreenJackets.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods used two three-run innings to earn a 6-2 win over Dayton in game one of a double-header. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 3-3 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored for the Hot Rods.
  • In game two of the double-header Hot Rods pitchers held Dayton to just two hits in a 6-0 win. Right-handed pitcher George Jensen earned the win after surrendering two hits in five scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Shortstop Derek Dietrich was 3-3 with one double, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
  • In game one of a double-header the Louisville Bats tallied just four hits in a 4-0 loss to Norfolk. Two-time National League All-Star Dontrelle Willis surrendered suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering four runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out 10 batters and walking one.
  • The Bats broke through on the scoreboard in the second game of the double-header but still dropped a 2-1 decision to the Tides. Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney surrendered one run on six hits in five and one-third innings while striking out five batters and walking none but had to settle for a no decision.
  • Mount Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee slugged his fourth home run of the season for low A Kannapolis.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-3 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for AA Jackson.
  • Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley was 2-4 with one RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base for high A Lynchburg.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell improved to 2-1 on the season after surrendering three runs on six hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking one for low A Beloit.
  • Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich improved to 2-2 on the season after surrendering one run on five hits in five and two-third innings while striking out four batters and walking one for AA Tulsa.
  • Louisville native Tyler Kuhn was 2-4 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AA Birmingham.
  • Former Madisonville resident Matt Klinker earned his first AA win after surrendering two hits in five shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking two for AA Carolina.
  • One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St. before being drafted, was 2-4 with one double, three RBI and one run scored for AAA Columbus.
  • Lexington native Robbie Ross posted his second straight poor start but still earned a win after surrendering five runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking none for high A Myrtle Beach.
  • PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 2-4 with one double and one RBI for AAA Albuquerque.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Jeff Arnold vs. Legends; Rusin post quality start; Cowgil, Shaffer streaking

Minor League Baseball

Jeff Arnold; UofL Sports wallpaper

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats tallied 14 hits in a 10-1 win over Norfolk. Shortstop Zack Cozart was 5-5 with four doubles, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey surrendered one run on five hits in six and one-third innings in a rehab appearance.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied eight hits in a 2-0 win over Great Lakes. Left-handed pitcher Enny Romero took a no decision after surrendering four hits in five shutout innings while striking out seven batters and walking four. Right-handed pitcher Omar Bencomo earned the win with three shutout innings of relief.
  • Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold slugged a home run, drove in two runs and scored twice to lead Augusta to a 5-1 win over the Lexington Legends. First baseman Tyler Burnett was 2-3 with one run scored.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill extended hits hitting streak to nine games for AAA Reno with a 2-5 performance. Cowgill had a triple, one RBI and two runs scored and has multiple hits in seven of his last eight games.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a 2-4 performance for AA Jackson.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking none.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with one run scored for High A San Jose.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for low A Hickory.
  • Lexington native and former UK infielder Michael Bertram was 2-3 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AA Erie.
  • Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 2-3 with one walk and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
  • One-time UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, who transferred to Texas A&M, took a no decision after surrendering four runs on six hits in six and one-third innings while striking out four batters and walking one.

MiLB roundup: Legends win; Bats, Hot Rods lose; Jeff Arnold, Chris Dominguez, Jason Kipnis each have three hits

Uncategorized

Jeff Arnold; UofL Sports wallpaper

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats snapped its seven-game winning streak with a 7-1 loss to Indianapolis. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto surrendered two runs on two hits in three and one-third innings in a rehab start.
  • Lake County scored four runs in the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 10-7 loss. Right-handed pitcher Omar Bencomo surrendered three hits in four scoreless innings of relief while striking out five batters and walking none.
  • The Lexington Legends slugged four home runs en route to a 13-7 win over Asheville. Center fielder Adam Bailey was 3-5 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier and designated hitter Chris Wallace also homered. Eastern High School alum Jason Chowning pitched one and two-third hitless innings of relief.
  • Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base for high A San Jose.
  • Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold was 3-4 with one double and one run scored for low A Augusta.
  • Former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor was 3-4 with two doubles and three runs scored.
  • One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred from UK to Arizona St., posted his second consecutive three-hit game and scored twice for AAA Columbus.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 4-9 with one triple, one RBI and two runs scored in a double-header for AA Jackson.
  • Louisville native Zack Cox was 2-4 with two RBI for high A Palm Beach.
  • AA Mississippi Braves right-handed pitcher Michael Broadway, who was born in Paducah, earned his first win of the season with a scoreless inning of relief.

UofL loses pitcher until midseason; NCBWA ranks Cards No. 22; Paxton negotiations at impasse; Legends host caravan

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Marcus Nidiffer, center; Photo: UK Athletics

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Brian Foley of College Baseball Daily reports University of Louisville sophomore left-handed pitcher Keith Landers is out until midseason after undergoing a second surgery on his throwing arm during the fall.
  • The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has released its preseason poll with UofL at No. 22.
  • The Lexington Legends annual caravan will begin Wednesday in Danville. The Caravan will also make stops in Cynthiana, Lexington, Somerset, Columbia and Jackson. Kentucky minor leaguers Marcus Nidiffer, Ben Revere, Chaz Roe, Jeremy Shelby and John Shelby III will attend the Lexington event on Thursday. Former Kentucky major leaguers Willie Blair, Andy Green, John Shelby Jr., Jeff Parrett and Josh Anderson will also appear at one of the caravan stops.
  • Larry Stone of The Seattle Times catches up with Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik about his negotiations with former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton. In summary, Zduriencik doesn’t sound very optimistic about Paxton signing before Spring Training.
  • T. R. Sullivan of MLB.com recaps the Texas Rangers’ offseason, pointing to the team’s acquisition of Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb as one of the moves that will define the success of the offseason.
  • In examining the Atlanta Braves’ offseason Steven Henson of Yahoo! Sports concludes second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, is the new face of the team.
  • As noted by the Legends, Andy Green has retired and will serve as the hitting coach for the rookie-level Missoula Osprey in 2011.
  • We’ve removed the Morehead State University lineup projection post after learning several of the choices were inaccurate. It appears Cody Gibson and Garrick Whittle are competing for a weekend rotation spot with Matthew Robertson being a midweek starting pitcher for the Eagles. Junior Matt Cartwright will likely replace Gibson as the Eagles closer. Senior Jeff Arnold may miss some time with an injury. Sophomore Austin Haney is the leading candidate to replace All-OVC shortstop Drew Lee, and freshman outfielder Duran Elmore appears unlikely to see early playing time. (I’ve decided to try the series again but remember the projections are just speculation on my part)

2011 lineup projections: Morehead State University

College Baseball

Following the completion of the “offseason position battle” series we will post a lineup project for each of the five division one schools this week. The lineups are based on the position battle posts and are only a guess and what each Opening Day lineup might look like. We will also include weekend rotations, midweek starters and closers for good measure. We are working in reverse order of the 2010 records, begining the series with Morehead State University.

Lineup

  • C — Taylor Davis
  • 1B — Michael Fear
  • 2B — Travis Redmon
  • 3B — Andrew Deeds
  • SS — Austin Haney
  • LF — Daniel Pugh
  • CF — Luke Bainer
  • RF — Ryan Conner
  • DH — Bud Morton

Weekend rotation

  • RHP — Trey Smith
  • RHP — Josh Schneider
  • RHP — Cody Gibson

Midweek starters

  • LHP — Garrick Whittle
  • RHP — Matthew Robertson

Closer

  • LHP Matt Cartwright

*A previous version of  this post incorrectly to identified Ryan Conner as Eric Sanders. This post has also been amended to include information learned after its original publishing.

Offseason position battle: UofL catcher

College Baseball

Jeff Arnold; UofL Sports wallpaper

To begin the fourth lap in the “offseason position battle” series we will look at the vacant University of Louisville catching position.

The departed — San Francisco Giants draftee Jeff Arnold, a 2010 UofL senior, started all 63 games for the Cards in 2010, serving as the primary catcher for the Big East Conference champions. Arnold batted .306 with three home runs, 32 RBI, 64 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 19 attempts. The Male High School graduate was named second-team All Big East following the 2010 season, and the Giants selected him in the 26th round of the MLB draft. Behind the plate Arnold threw out 41.2 percent of opposing base runners attempting to steal a base.

Returning candidates — Senior catcher J. J. Ethel batted .303 with two home runs, 15 RBI and 15 runs scored in 41 games for UofL in 2010 after transferring from Scottsdale Community College. Opposing base runners were successful in 53.8 (7-13) percent of stolen base attempts against Ethel in 2010. During the UofL Fall World Series Ethel started each of the five games for assistant coach Xan Barksdale’s team, going 6-20 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Newcomers to watch — Freshman catcher Kyle Gibson was named first-team all-state by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association following his senior season at Henderson County High School. As a senior Gibson batted .485 with 20 home runs, seven triples, 15 doubles, 67 RBI and 61 runs scored. Gibson set a Kentucky high school record with home runs in five consecutive games as senior and was 4-15 with three runs scored and an RBI during the Fall World Series. Gibson started all five games in the series including two at catcher…Freshman catcher Jeff Gardner was name honorable mention all-state by KHSBCA after his senior season at Whitfield Academy in Louisville. Gardner starter each game during the Fall World Series, including three at catcher during the Fall World Series, going 3-12 with three walks, two runs scored and three RBI.

Wildcard — Sophomore Asaad Ali didn’t see any action as freshman, and may reprise his role as the team’s bullpen catcher after not appearing during the Fall World Series. Still head coach Dan McDonnell could decide to give Ali, who is the adopted son of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, some playing time. Ali was the 40th round pick of the Los Angeles Angels out of high school in 2009. While Ali could qualify as a redshirt freshman since he didn’t play in 2010 the UofL roster lists him as a sophomore.

Offseason position battle: Morehead St. starting pitchers

College Baseball

In the final post of the third lap in the “offseason position battle series” we will look at the vacant Morehead State University weekend starting pitcher positions.

The departed — Morehead St. lost the closest thing it had to an ace in 2010 to graduation in the form of right-handed pitcher and first baseman Michael Bottoms. The two-way player led Morehead St. with 12 starts on the season and finished the season at 4-4 with a 6.57 ERA and 40 strikeouts to go with 28 walks in 74 innings pitched. Bottoms continued his career after graduation by pitching in the South Australian Baseball League…Right-handed pitcher Quentin Morgan, a 2010 senior, was 3-1 with a 9.95 ERA in 10 games, including eight starts, for the Eagles in 2010. Morgan struck out 25 batters and walked 16 in 38 innings pitched.

Returning candidates — Senior right-handed pitcher Jeff Arnold made 12 starts for Morehead St. as a junior in 2010, going 4-1 with a 9.10 ERA and 31 strikeouts to go with 14 walks in 58.1 innings pitched…Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Robertson made eight starts for the Eagles as a sophomore in 2010, going 1-5 with a 9.40 ERA in 45 innings pitched…Senior right-handed pitcher Trey Smith was 3-2 with a 7.93 ERA in 16 games, including three starts, as a junior for Morehead St. in 2010. Smith struck out 16 batters in 10 innings over two starts during the Fall World Series…Sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson made just one start as a freshman in 2010, but struck out 10 batters over six innings in a start during the Fall World Series. Gibson was 1-2 with a 7.92 ERA and three saves in 16 games in 2010…Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider made five starts as a sophomore in 2010 but pitched well in a starting role during the Fall World Series…Junior left-handed pitcher Tyler Hieneman made seven starts as a sophomore for Morehead last season but struggled to the tune of a 10.70 ERA.

Newcomers to watch — Freshman left-handed pitcher Noah Smallwood comes to Morehead from West Jessamine High School, where he was named second-team all-state by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association following his senior season. Smallwood made a start for the Eagles during the Fall World Series…Freshman left-handed pitcher Brice Smallwood was also named second-team all-state by KHSBCA following his senior season at Dixie Height High School. Brice was 10-0 with a 1.21 ERA as a senior…Freshman left-handed pitcher and outfielder Duran Elmore struck out 106 batters in 77 innings pitched as a senior at Danville High School.

Wildcard — Sophomore left-handed pitcher Garrick Whittle did not make any starts for Morehead as a freshman, a rarity on a pitching staff that had no pitcher with multiple appearances finish with an ERA under 6.57, but started a game during the Fall World Series. Whittle struck out eight batters over five shutout innings during that start, positioning him as a serious candidate for a starting rotation spot in 2011. Whittle did not record a decision as a reliever in 2010 and posted a 10.38 ERA in nine appearances…Junior college transfer Kyle Williams is still new to pitching after converting to the position. He originally signed with Shawnee Community College as an outfielder.

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 win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Arnold homers twice; Nidiffer, Sellers also go deep

Minor League Baseball

Chad Reineke; Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke led the Louisville Bats to a 5-2 win over Norfolk. Reineke surrendered just four hits and struck out four in six innings to move to 8-7 on the season.
  • Delmarva scored eight runs over the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to blow open the game en route to a 9-1 win over the Lexington Legends. Right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero fell to 6-6 on the season despite surrendering just three runs on three hits in six innings.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning but surrendered three runs in the bottom half of the inning to suffer a 6-5 loss to Fort Wayne. Shortstop Tyler Bortnick slugged his seventh home run of the season.
  • Former UofL catcher and 2010 Giants draftee Jeff Arnold was 3-4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored for short-season Salem-Keizer.
  • Former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer homered for the second straight game and for the tenth time this season for rookie-level Greeneville.
  • Former UofL first baseman and 2010 Rangers draftee Andrew Clark tallied three hits and scored twice for short-season Spokane.
  • Former WKU infielder and 2010 Phillies draftee Matt Payton was 3-5 with a run scored for the rookie-level GCL Phillies.
  • Former EKU infielder Neil Sellers slugged his fourth home run of the season for AAA Lehigh Valley.
  • Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade earned his third win of the season for AAA Albuquerque.
  • Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham earned his fifth win for high A Kinston after striking out 10 in five scoreless innings.
  • Boyd County native and 2010 Royals NDFA Tyler Gatrell earned his ninth save of the season for the rookie-level AZL Royals.