Jiovanni Mier

MiLB roundup: Legends, Hot Rods win; Bats lose; Cowgill still hot; Duvall, Dominguez homer; Payton has 3-hit debut

College Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB baseball:

  • The Lexington Legends held off a late rally in a 5-4 win over Augusta. Designated hitter Michael Kvasnicka was 3-4  with two RBI, and shortstop Jiovanni Mier was 2-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall slugged his fourth home run of the season for Augusta. Louisville native Jason Chowning was credited with a hold for Lexington after pitching two scoreless innings of relief.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods used a quality start from right-handed pitcher Victor Mateo to earn a 5-2 win over Dayton. Mateo improved to 2-2 on the season after surrendering two runs on three hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking none.
  • The Louisville Bats blew surrendered three runs after the sixth inning in a 5-2 loss to Norfolk. Left fielder Yonder Alonso was 2-3 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 2-4 performance for AAA Reno. Cowgill posted his eighth multi-hit game during the streak and is batting .392 on the season with four home runs, 14 RBI and 21 runs scored.
  • Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 4-5 with two doubles, one triple and three runs scored for high A Lakeland.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers earned his second win of the season with four and two-third scoreless innings of relief for high A Fort Myers.
  • Louisville native and former WKU infielder Matt Payton made his season debut for high A Clearwater and was 3-4 with two runs scored.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged his sixth home run of the season for high A San Jose.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one run scored for AA Montgomery.
  • One-time UK infielder turned outfielder Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St., was 2-4 with one double, one walk, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 2-5 with one run scored for AAA Rochester.
  • Paducah native Eric Roof was 2-4 with one double, two RBI two runs scored and two walks.

MiLB Roundup: Legends, Hot Rods win; Bats lose; Lee, Dominguez, Bynum, Kuhn homer; Roe takes no decision

Minor League Baseball

Chris Dominguez; UofL Photo

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats‘ blew a two-run ninth inning lead in a 6-5 loss to Toledo. Two-time National League All-Star Dontrelle Willis took a no decision despite surrendering just three runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out four batters and walking two.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods used a strong pitching performance from right-handed pitcher Victor Mateo in a 2-1 win over South Bend. Mateo earned his first win after surrendering one run on four hits in six innings while striking out seven batters and walking two.
  • The Lexington Legends scored a single run in the bottom of the 10th inning to earn a 7-6 win over Kannapolis in game one of the team’s homestand. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier and third baseman Michael Kvasnicka both homered for the Legends.
  • Mt. Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee was 3-4 with his first home run of the season, three RBI and one run scored for Kannapolis in the game.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a 2-5 performance for AA Jackson. Shaffer is batting .370 on the season.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 3-4 with one double, two RBI and one run scored f0r AAA Reno. Cowgill has multiple hits in gour consecutive games.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-5 with two RBI for low A Augusta.
  • Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez slugged his fifth home run of the season for high A San Jose.
  • Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe took a no decision after surrendering three runs on seven hits in five and two-third innings while striking out four batters and walking none for AAA Tacoma.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum homered for the second straight game and third time this season for AAA Syracuse.
  • Trinity High School alum Tyler Kuhn was 2-4 with one home run, two RBI and two runs scored for AA Birmingham.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Legends win; Hot Rods split DH; Webb, Darnell earn wins; Clark, Shaffer, Ray homer

Minor League Baseball

Logan Darnell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats scored four runs in the eighth inning to earn a 6-4 win over Toledo. Left fielder Todd Frazier was 2-4 with one home run, five RBI and one run scored.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods held Lake County to just one hit in a 1-0 win over the Captains in game one of a double-header. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser earned the win after surrendering one hit in six and one-third scoreless innings while striking out two batters and walking three.
  • In game two of the double-header the Hot Rods’ pitching was not nearly as good as game one in a 14-4 loss to Lake County. Shortstop Derek Dietrich was 2-3 with one double, one RBI and one run scored.
  • The Lexington Legends broke a 7-7 tie with a single run in the eighth inning to earn an 8-7 win over Savannah. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier slugged his second home run of the season, and designated hitter Chris Wallace continued his hot hitting with a 3-4 performance.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to nine games with a home run for AA Jackson.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb earned his first win of the season after surrendering one unearned run on four hits in seven innings while striking out two batters and walking two for low A Lansing.
  • Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-5 with one home run, four RBI and one run scored for low A Hickory.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 3-5 with two doubles and two runs scored for Hickory.
  • Mt. Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee was 2-3 with two RBI and one run scored in his season debut for low A Kannapolis.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 2-5 with one double and one run scored for AAA Reno.
  • Former UK outfielder Lance Ray slugged his second home run of the season for low A Beloit.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell earned his first win of the season after surrendering two runs on three hits in five and one-third innings while striking out two batters and walking one in a start for Beloit.
  • Lexington native and former UK infielder Michael Bertram was 2-3 with one double and one run scored for AA Erie.

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.

Chowning, three first rounders highlight Legends 2011 roster

Minor League Baseball

The Lexington Legends have released the team’s Opening Day roster, which is highlighted by three former first-round picks and an Eastern High School alum. Louisville native Jason Chowning will become the second Kentucky native to play for the team when the season begins, joining Lexington Legends Hall of Famer Josh Anderson. Check out the full roster below with each player’s hometown and acquisition info listed.

Pitchers

  • RHP Jason Chowning — Louisville, Ky. — 28th round (2010)
  • RHP Ruben Alaniz — La Grulla, Tex. — NDFA (2008)
  • RHP Tanner Bushue — Kinmundy, Ill. — 2nd round (2009)
  • RHP Jorge DeLeon — La Cega Azua, DR — FA (2006)
  • LHP Brad Dydalewicz — Spicewood, Tex. — 8th round (2008)
  • RHP Mike Foltynewicz — Minooka, Ill. — 1st round (2010)
  • LHP Gabriel Garcia — Charallave, VZ — FA (2007)
  • RHP Murilo Gouvea — Sau Paulo, Brazil — FA (2010)
  • RHP David Martinez — Cumana, VZ — FA (2005)
  • RHP Juan Minaya — Maimon, DR — FA (2008)
  • RHP Carlos Quevedo — Valencia, VZ — FA (2006)
  • LHP Alexander Sogard — Austin, Tex. — 26th round (2010)
  • RHP Brian Streilein — Point Pleasant, N. J. — 37th round (2010)

Catchers

  • Roberto Pena — Caguas, PR — 7th round (2010)
  • Chris Wallace — Cypress, Tex. — 16th round (2010)

Infielders

  • Telvin Nash — Belleview, Fla. — 3rd round (2010)
  • Jhonny Medrano — Tucupita, VZ — FA (2005)
  • Delino Deshields Jr. — Ocala, Fla. — 1st round (2010)
  • Enrique Hernandez — Toa Baja, PR — 6th round (2009)
  • Jiovanni Mier — Las Vegas, Nev. — 1st round (2009)
  • Mike Kvasnicka — Lakeville, Minn. — 1st supplemental round (2010)
  • Tyler Burnett — Murfreesboro, Tenn. — 17th round (2010)
  • Ben Orloff — Simi Valley, Cal. — 9th round (2009)

Outfielders

  • Adam Bailey — Monument, Colo. — 23rd round (2010)
  • Daniel Adamson — Spring, Ala. — 20th round (2010)
  • Bryce Lane — Phoenix City, Ala. — 41st round (2010)

Legends among Astros’ top prospects; Webb wants to throw in game situation; Finwood, players shave heads for charity

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jimmy Paredes; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com ranks 2010 Lexington Legends shortstop Jiovanni Mier, outfielder J. D. Martinez, right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue and second baseman Jimmy Paredes among the top 10 prospects in the Astros’ organization. Likely 2011 Legends Delino DeShields Jr., Mike Foltynewicz and Austin Wates also are included on the list.
  • Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb feels he is ready to pitch in a game situation, but the Rangers have not decided what his next step will be.
  • David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez will start the season with a left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, sharing the closer role with right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel.
  • Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun reports Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch has been a key mentor for some of the Blue Jays young pitchers this spring.
  • Nick Baumgardner of the Bowling Green Daily News reports Western Kentucky University head coach Chris Finwood and 11 player shaved their heads following their Friday win versus Middle Tennessee to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation that supports the fight against childhood cancer.

Lexington Legends among Astros top prospects; Dan McDonnell highlights fall practice standouts

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jordan Lyles; Photo: Lexington Legends

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • John Manuel of Baseball America has published the magazine’s top 10 Houston Astros’ prospect list with several current, former and future Legends included in the rankings. The list is headlined by 2009 Legend Jordan Lyles, who is followed by 2010 Legends Jiovanni Mier (No. 5), J. D. Martinez (No. 6), Jimmy Paredes (No. 7) and Tanner Bushue (No. 8). Three players on the list, Delino Deshields Jr. (No. 2), Mike Foltynewicz (No. 4) and Austin Wates (No. 9), could open 2011 in Lexington.
  • University of Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell recently completed an interview with College Baseball Daily in which he touches on a number of topics including newcomer standouts from fall practice.
  • The University of Illinois has announced it will play a three-game series at Western Kentucky University on March 11-13 to replace its scheduled appearance in the Metrodome Tournament. The Metrodome suffered a roof collapse on Dec. 12 an officials have announced the facility will not be ready to host previously scheduled college baseball games this spring.
  • UofL assistant coach Xan Barksdale will speak at the American Baseball Coaches Association Convention this weekend about preparing catchers for success.
  • Nick Evans of the Louisville Bats media relations department notes the Cincinnati Reds Caravan will stop at Louisville Slugger Field on Jan. 27.

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, Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Cunningham, Lee, Shafer homer; Ross struggles in start

Minor League Baseball

Wes Cunningham: BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats opened its series with Indianapolis with a 10-6 win. Center fielder Dave Sappelt was 5-6 with two doubles, a triple, two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored.
  • The Lexington Legends held off a late Augusta rally en route to a 7-6 win. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier was 3-4 with two doubles and three runs scored.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored three runs in the eighth inning to tie their game with South Bend but still suffered a 9-7 loss. Second baseman Tyler Bortnick was 4-5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former UofL infielder and 2010 Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich was 3-5 with one RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-3 with a home run, double, three RBI and one run scored for high A High Desert.
  • Former Murray St. first baseman and 2010 Padres draftee Wes Cunningham was 2-3 with a triple, home run, three RBI, three walks and two runs scored for short-season Eugene.
  • Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee slugged his fifth home run of the season and drove in three runs for rookie-level Bristol.
  • LCA alum Robbie Ross surrendered three runs on nine hits in just two and one-third innings in a start for high A Bakersfield but still escaped with a no decision.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods all win; Friedrich injured again; Ray, Shaffer each tally three hits

Minor League Baseball

Christian Friedrich; Photo by Matt McGee via Flickr

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Catcher Devin Mesoraco sent the Louisville Bats to a 5-3 win over Syracuse with a walk-off grand slam in his AAA debut. First baseman Yonder Alonso also homered in the game.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum homered in the game for Syracuse.
  • The Lexington Legends scored a go-ahead run in the eighth inning en route to a 4-3 win over Greenville. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier was 2-4 with a home run.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods lost a shutout in the ninth inning but held on for a 6-2 win over Lake County. Left-handed pitcher Kyle Lobstein improved to 8-6 by striking out seven and walking none while surrendering just four hits in seven shutout innings.
  • Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich was injured once again, this time with a strained lat muscle in his start for AA Tulsa and had to leave after just 36 pitches.
  • Former UK first baseman and 2010 Twins draftee Lance Ray was 3-3 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored for short-season Beloit.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored for high A High Desert.