Jeremy Sowers

Kentucky in MiLB Playoffs

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

League playoffs from across Minor League Baseball are set to begin this week. Last week we looked at the Kentucky alumni participating in rookie league playoffs, so I thought I’d do the same for the other minor leagues:

Pacific Coast League (AAA)

  • Tacoma Rainers — Josh Lueke

International League (AAA)

  • Louisville Bats — Matt Klinker
  • Columbus Clippers — Jeremy Sowers (DL)

Texas League (AA)

  • Springfield Cardinals — Antone DeJesus

Eastern League (AA)

  • New Hampshire Fisher Cats — Trystan Magnuson
  • Harrisburg Senators — Zach Dials

Southern League (AA)

  • Tennessee Smokies — Chris Rusin (DL)
  • Jacksonville Suns — Graham Taylor (DL)
  • Mobile BayBears — Collin Cowgill, Sean Coughlin, Josh Ellis

California League (High A)

  • Stockton Ports — Justin Marks
  • High Desert Mavericks — Jake Shaffer
  • Ranch Cucamonga Quakes — Jon Townsend

Florida State League (High A)

  • Dunedin Blue Jays — Justin McClanahan
  • Bradenton Marauders — Jordan Newton, Nathan Adcock

Carolina League (High A)

  • Winston-Salem Dash — Logan Johnson, Nathan Jones, Greg Paiml
  • Kinston Indians — Marty Popham

Midwest League (Low A)

  • Great Lakes Loons — J. B. Paxson
  • Quad City River Bandits — Dean Kiekhefer, Daniel Calhoun
  • Clinton Lumber Kings — Tyler Blandford (DL)
  • West Michigan Whitecaps — Wade Gaynor, Patrick Cooper

South Atlantic League (Low A)

  • Hickory Crawdads — Jonathan Roof

Northwest League (Short-Season)

  • Spokane Indians — Andrew Clark, Josh Richmond

Pioneer League (Rookie)

  • Great Falls Voyagers — Thomas Royse

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Hot Rods win; Legends lose; Friedrich shines; Langfels, Duvall, Richmond have big nights

Minor League Baseball

Christian Friedrich; Photo by Matt McGee via Flickr

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Rehabbing Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey looked ready for a return to the big leagues after leading the Louisville Bats to a 6-0 win over Norfolk. Bailey surrendered just six hits in seven innings and struck out nine while walking none.
  • Right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates posted his first quality start since July 15 in the Bowling Green Hot Rods 6-4 win over South Bend. Yates surrendered three runs on seven hits in six innings and struck out three batters while walking two.
  • The Lexington Legends scored three runs in the ninth inning, but the game was long out of reach by that point in an 8-3 loss to Hagerstown. Right fielder Jacob Goebbert was 2-4 with a double, one RBI and one run scored.
  • Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich earned his third win of the season after surrendering one unearned run on three hits in six innings. Friedrich struck out three and walked one.
  • Former EKU infielder and 2010 Rockies draftee Jayson Langfels tallied three hits, slugged two home runs and drove in six runs for short-season Tri-City.
  • Former UofL infielder and 2010 Giants draftee Adam Duvall slugged his third home run on the season for short-season Salem-Keizer.
  • Former UofL outfielder and 2010 Rangers draftee Josh Richmond slugged his second home run of the season and drove in six runs for short-season Spokane.
  • Ballard High School alum Jeremy Sowers got his third start of  the season for AAA Columbus and took a no decision despite surrendering just one hit in five innings. Sowers struck out five and walked none.

Hart wants extension with Brewers; UofL picks up commit from Warren East star; Legends make roster moves

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Corey Hart; Photo by Steve Paluch via Flickr

The trade deadline for Kentucky baseball players ended up being a lot of smoke with the biggest names among rumored trade candidates (Corey Hart and Scott Downs) staying put. Neither player figures to clear waivers in August, so unless a deal is worked out with whatever team claims them both could spend the rest of the season with their current teams. Check out some links from around Kentucky baseball about stories that did happen over the weekend:

  • If Bowling Green native Corey Hart has his way he won’t be staying with the Brewers only through the end of the season. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports Hart wants a contract extension since Milwaukee decided not to trade him before the deadline.
  • Chad Bishop of the Bowling Green Daily News reports Warren East High School rising senior pitcher/third baseman Mark Biggs has committed to play collegiate baseball at the University of Louisville.
  • The Lexington Legends made several important roster moves over the weekend, headlined by the promotion of South Atlantic League all-star infielder Jose Altuve to high A Lancaster. Infielder Barry Butera switched places with Altuve, moving from Lancaster to Lexington, and infielder Jimmy Paredes, acquired by the Astros in the Lance Berkman trade with the Yankees, was added to the Legends’ roster.
  • John Manuel of Baseball America profiles Paredes in his breakdown of the Berkman trade.
  • Western Kentucky University has announced a showcase for high school players for September 5 at Nick Denes Field.
  • In case you are still a little fuzzy about how major league players can still be traded after the July 31 “trade deadline” check out this very useful explanation of the process from the always great MLBTradeRumors.
  • Josh Cook, writing for the Courier-Journal, recaps the Louisville Bats Saturday win over Louisville natives Marty Popham and Jeremy Sowers of the Columbus Clippers.

MiLB Roundup: Louisville high school alums no match for Bats; Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Lee, Revere streaking

Minor League Baseball

Ben Revere; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action with a few Friday highlights thrown in as well:

  • The Louisville Bats pounded out 17 hits en route to a 10-2 win over Columbus. First baseman Yonder Alonso was 3-5 with a home run, two doubles, four RBI and two run scored.
  • Louisville Butler High School alum Marty Popham, who was promoted to Columbus before the game, took the loss after surrendering six runs in four innings. Ballard High School alum Jeremy Sowers surrendered one run in three innings for Columbus in the game.
  • The Lexington Legends were outhit 12-10 but defeated Delmarva 7-6 Saturday. Left fielder Jacob Goebbert and first baseman Kody Hinze each homered for Lexington.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied nine hits but still lost 11-5 to Lansing. Third baseman Julio Cedeno was 2-3 with two runs scored for the Hot Rods.
  • Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee homered and extended his hitting streak to 13 games for rookie-level Bristol.
  • Former UK right-handed pitcher and 2010 Tigers draftee Matt Little picked up his first professional win after striking out four in two scoreless innings for low A West Michigan.
  • Former UofL first baseman and 2010 Rangers draftee Andrew Clark was 3-4 with a walk and four RBI for short-season Spokane.
  • Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks was promoted to high A Stockton where he took the loss after surrendering seven runs in four runs in his debut.
  • Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich was activated from the disabled list by AA Tulsa but lasted only two and one-third innings in his return.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke was promoted to AAA Tacoma where he pitched two scoreless innings in his debut.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere is 6-9 with three runs scored in two games and has an eight-game hitting streak.

MiLB Roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Nidiffer homers; Adcock, Chowning, Sowers pick up wins

Minor League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats pounded out 11 hits behind recently demoted Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Micah Owings en route to an 8-3 win over Gwinnet. Owings surrendered just one run on one hit in three innings, and shortstop Zack Cozart, third baseman Juan Francisco, right fielder Daniel Dorn and catcher Corky Miller each homered for Louisville.
  • The Lexington Legends tallied seven hits but couldn’t score a run in a 3-0 loss to Savannah. Right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue took the loss despite surrendering just two runs in six innings and striking out six batters.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods pitching was no match for the Cedar Rapids offense in a 7-2 loss to the Kernels. Third baseman Julio Cedeno was 2-4 with a run scored for the Hot Rods.
  • Former UK catcher and 2010 Astros NDFA Marcus Nidiffer slugged his eighth home run of the season, drove in three runs and scored twice for rookie-level Greeneville.
  • Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock earned his eighth win of the season after holding Dunedin scoreless for six innings on just two hits for high A Bradenton.
  • Louisville native and 2010 Astros draftee Jason Chowning picked up his first professional win with three scoreless innings of relief for short-season Tri-City.
  • Boyd County High School alum and 2010 Royals NDFA Tyler Gatrell earned his eighth save of the season for the rookie-level AZL Royals and still hasn’t surrendered an earned run in his professional career over 13 and one-third innings.
  • Former UK outfielder Antone DeJesus was 3-4 with a walk, run scored and one RBI for AA Springfield.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with a double, run scored and RBI for low A Augusta.
  • Former EKU infielder Neil Sellers was 3-4 with a double and two RBI for AAA Lehigh Valley.
  • Ballard High School alum Jeremy Sowers earned just his second win of the season for AAA Columbus with two scoreless innings of relief Sunday.
  • Paducah native and 2010 Rangers draftee Jonathan Roof was 2-5 with three RBI and one run scored for low A Hickory.

Mr. Ky. Baseball: Where are they now?

High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Austin Kearns; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

We did this last summer, but with Monday’s announcement that Western Hills shortstop J. T. Riddle had been named the 2010 Mr. Baseball it’s always fun to look back on previous Mr. Baseballs and see where they are today. Check out the list below with each player’s most recent baseball affiliation:

  • 2010: J. T. Riddle (Western Hills) — Riddle has signed to play college ball at the University of Kentucky in 2011 and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 35th round of the 2010 MLB draft.
  • 2009: Luke Maile (Covington Catholic) — Maile is a rising sophomore at UK and was 7-25 with three home runs and six RBI in limited action as a freshman.
  • 2008: Zack Cox (Pleasure Ridge Park) — Spent 2010 as a sophomore at Arkansas where he was named an All-American by several outlets after batting .429. Cox was the first-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2010 MLB draft.
  • 2007: Ben Revere (Lexington Catholic) — Revere was the Minnesota Twins’ first round pick in 2007 and has done nothing but hit in his Minor League career. Revere is currently batting .307 with 21 stolen bases for the AA New Britain Rock Cats and was named the fifth best prospect in the Twins’ system by Baseball America prior to the 2010 season.
  • 2006: Nathan Adcock (North Hardin) — After three and one-half mediocre season in the Seattle Mariners’ organization Adcock was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2009 as part of the Jack Wilson trade. Adcock is having his best season to date in 2010 for the high A Bradenton Marauders where he is 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA in 13 starts.
  • 2005: Chaz Roe (Lafayette) — Roe was the Colorado Rockies’ first-supplemental round pick in the 2005 MLB draft and has worked his way through the Minor Leagues to AAA. Last year was Roe’s best season to date when he went 7-3 with a 3.15 ERA for AA Tulsa, but he has struggled so far in 2010 to the tune of a 5-7 record and 5.86 ERA in hitter-friendly AAA Colorado Springs.
  • 2004: Collin Cowgill (Henry Clay) — Cowgill was a standout in his four seasons at UK and has continued to excel in professional baseball after the Arizona Diamondbacks took him with their fifth-round pick in 2008. Named the ninth best prospect in the D’Backs farm system by Baseball America prior to the 2010 season, Cowgill is batting .280 with five home runs and 43 RBI for AA Mobile this season.
  • 2003: Josh Ellis (Paul Laurence Dunbar) — While older brother A.J. Ellis has carved a niche for himself as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ backup catcher this season, Josh is still working his way through the Diamobacks system after the team selected him in the 11th round of the 2007 draft. Ellis is 1-0 with a  2.86 ERA in 18 relief appearances between AAA Reno and AA Mobile this season.
  • 2002: Brad Corley (Pleasure Ridge Park) — Corley was the Pirates second-round pick as an outfielder in 2005 and was named the tenth best prospect in the team’s system by Baseball America entering the 2008 season. Corely’s career stalled after that honor. and he hasn’t advanced past AA since. He was acquired by Colorado in 2009 and is currently playing for short-season Tri-City as he attempts to become a full-time pitcher.
  • 2001: Jeremy Sowers (Ballard) — Sowers was the Indian’s first-round pick in 2004 out of Vanderbilt University and has appeared in 72 games over parts of four season with the Indians. Sowers is 18-30 as a MLB starting pitcher, and he is currently struggling to the tune of a 1-4 record and 6.49 ERA as a left-handed reliever for AAA Columbus.
  • 2000: Spencer Graeter (Ballard) — Greater batted .307 with 14 home runs and 98 RBI in four seasons for UK from 2001-2004 but never appeared in affiliated ball.
  • 1999: Joe Blanton (Franklin-Simpson) — Blanton has appeared in two World Series and even earned a victory in game four of the Philadelphia Phillies World Series win in 2008. Blanton is just 2-5 with a 6.96 ERA in eight starts for Philadelphia this season, but is 65-59 with a 4.34 ERA in seven MLB seasons with the Oakland Athletics and Phillies.
  • 1998: Austin Kearns (Lafayette) — Kearns won a job as a reserve outfielder with the Cleveland Indians in Spring Training and has worked his way into a starting role. On the season Kearns is batting .288 with seven home runs an 32 RBI. In nine MLB seasons, Kearns has batted .258 with 112 home runs and 454 RBI with the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Indians.
  • 1997: Scott Hodges (Henry Clay) — Hodges was the Montreal Expos’ first-round pick in 1997 and spent nine seasons in the Minor Leagues appearing as high as AAA. In 2005 he was diagnosed with lymphoma, ending his career.
  • 1996: Aaron McGlone (Greenup Co.) — McGlone batted .345 with eight home runs and 51 RBI for UK in 2000, but never appeared in affiliated ball.
  • 1995: Brad Wilkerson (Apollo) — Wilkerson spent parts of eights season in the Major Leagues, batting .247 with 122 home runs and 399 RBI for the Expos, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays. He retired in 2008 before briefly making a comeback with the Phillies during Spring Training this season only to announce his retirement for good.
  • 1994: Scott Downs (Pleasure Ridge Park) — Downs was the Chicago Cubs’ third-round pick in 1997 out of UK, and has spent parts of ten season in the big leagues. Over the past four seasons he has carved out a niche as one of the best left-handed relievers in baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2010 he is 2-5 with a 3.34 ERA in 34 games for the Blue Jays.
  • 1993: Dion Newby (Harrison Co.) — Newby played collegiately at North Alabama but never appeared in affiliated ball.
  • 1992: Shon Walker (Harrison Co.) — Walker was the Pirates first-round pick in 1992 and last appeared in affiliated ball in 1998 at High A Lynchburg.
  • 1991: Trever Miller (Trinity) — Miller’s long Major League career is still going strong as a left-handed reliever in the St. Louis Cardinals’ bullpen. Miller is 0-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 25 games for the Cardinals this season and is 18-16 with a 4.17 ERA over 12 MLB seasons. Miller was the Detroit Tigers’ first-round pick in 1991.
  • 1990: Darren Burton (Pulaski Co.) — Burton was the Royals’ fifth-round pick in 1990 and last appeared in affiliated ball at AA Altoona in 2001. He spent parts of six seasons in AAA.
  • 1989: Tab Brown (St. Xavier) — Brown was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1989 and spent at least two seasons in the Braves’ organization.

Mr. Baseball: Where are they now?

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

While browsing the Ky. High School Record Book I stumbled across the list of Kentucky Mr. Baseballs. Did you know that seven Mr. Baseball’s have appeared in the major leagues in the last two seasons? With that in mind I thought I’d update you on the status of the Mr. Kentucky Baseballs, their 2009 team or most recent baseball status is listed.

  • 1989 — Tab Brown — St. Xavier — Drafted 1989 Atlanta Braves
  • 1990 — Darren Burton — Pulaski Co. — Retired 2001 AAA Altoona (Pirates)
  • 1991 — Trever Miller — Trinity — St. Louis Cardinals
  • 1992 — Shon Walker — Harrison Co. — Retired 1998 High A Lynchburg (Pirates)
  • 1993 — Dion Newby — Harrison Co. — Played at North Alabama
  • 1994 — Scott Downs — PRP — Toronto Blue Jays
  • 1995 — Brad Wilkerson — Apollo — Retired 2008 (Rangers)
  • 1996 — Aaron McGlone — Greenup Co. — Last season at UK 2000
  • 1997 — Scott Hodges — Henry Clay — Retired 2005 AAA Edmonton
  • 1998 — Austin Kearns — Lafayette — Washington Nationals
  • 1999 — Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson — Philadelphia Phillies
  • 2000 — Spencer Graeter — Ballard — Graduated from UK 2004
  • 2001 — Jeremy Sowers — Ballard — Cleveland Indians
  • 2002 — Brad Corley — PRP — AA Tulsa (Rockies)
  • 2003 — Josh Ellis — PLD — Los Angeles Dodgers
  • 2004 — Collin Cowgill — Henry Clay — High A Visalia (D’Backs)
  • 2005 — Chaz Roe — Lafayette — AA Tulsa (Rockies)
  • 2006 — Nathan Adcock — North Hardin — High A Lynchburg (Pirates)
  • 2007 — Ben Revere — Lexington Catholic — High A Fort Meyers (Twins)
  • 2008 — Zack Cox — PRP — University of Arkansas
  • 2009 — Luke Maile — Covington Catholic — UK