Joe Blanton leads Kentucky major leaguers in salary

Joe Blanton; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

With Opening Day upon us its time for the annual look at the contracts of each of Kentucky’s major league players. The group added two new members in Josh Lueke and Nathan Adcock this season, but is still dominated by the familiar names. Check out the full list of 2011 salaries below with contract data via USA Today‘s MLB salary database:

Joe Blanton (Phillies) — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — $10.5 million
Aaron Cook (Rockies) — Born in Ft. Campbell — $9.875 million
Dan Uggla (Braves) — Born in Louisville — $9.15 million
Corey Hart (Brewers) — Greenwood HS — $6.833 million
Mark Reynolds (Orioles) — Born in Pikeville — $5.333 million
Scott Downs (Angels) — PRP, UK — $5 million
Jon Rauch (Blue Jays) — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — $3.5 million
Brandon Webb (Rangers) — Paul Blazer HS, UK — $3 million
Trever Miller (Cardinals) — St. X HS — $2 million
Austin Kearns (Indians) — Lafayette HS — $1.3 million
Sean Green (Brewers) — Male HS, UofL — $875,000
Tyler Clippard (Nationals) — Born in Lexington — $443,000
Jonny Venters (Braves) — Born in Pikeville — $429,500
A. J. Ellis (Dodgers) — PLD HS — $421,000
Nathan Adcock (Royals) — North Hardin HS — $414,000
Josh Lueke (Mariners) — Scott HS, NKU — $414,000

No significant differences were discovered. Race does not influence the length of enrollment in adult literacy programs.

Kentuckians on MLB Opening Day rosters

Major League Baseball

You can always see the list of Kentucky MLB players on the “Ky. in the Majors” page here, but with Opening Day upon us I thought it would be a good idea to post the list on the home page. Check out the Kentuckians starting the 2011 season on MLB rosters below:

National League

RHP Aaron Cook — Born in Ft. Campbell — Colorado Rockies (15-day DL)
C A. J. Ellis — PLD — Los Angeles Dodgers
OF Corey Hart — Greenwood HS — Milwaukee Brewers (15-day DL)
2B Dan Uggla — Born in Louisville — Atlanta Braves
RHP Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — Philadelphia Phillies
LHP Jonny Venters — Born in Pikeville — Atlanta Braves
RHP Sean Green — Male HS, UofL — Milwaukee Brewers
LHP Trever Miller — St. X HS — St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Tyler Clippard — Born in Lexington — Washington Nationals

American League

OF Austin Kearns — Lafayette HS — Cleveland Indians
RHP Brandon Webb — Paul Blazer HS, UK — Texas Rangers (15-day DL)
RHP Jon Rauch — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Josh Lueke — Scott HS, NKU — Seattle Mariners*
3B Mark Reynolds — Born in Pikeville — Baltimore Orioles
RHP Nathan Adcock — North Hardin HS — Kansas City Royals*
LHP Scott Downs — PRP, UK — Los Angeles Angels (15-day DL)
RHP Shawn Kelley — Ballard HS — Seattle Mariners (60-day DL)

* — Lueke and Adcock are MLB rookies and will make their MLB debuts with first appearance in 2011.

Spring roundup: Green finishes Spring Training with win

Major League Baseball

Sean Green; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Kentucky players on the final full day of Spring Training:

Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green earned the win after striking out two batters in one scoreless inning for the Milwaukee Brewers and finished the spring at 3-0 with a 0.77 ERA.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis walked in his only plate appearance for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Coastal Carolina senior first baseman Rich Witten, a Danville High School alum, was 0-3 with one walk in an exhibition game versus the Texas Rangers.
Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard, who was born in Lexington, struck out two batters in a scoreless inning versus the Mets.
Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 1-3 versus the Minnesota Twins.
In that same game Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, struck out one batter in a scoreless inning.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-3 with one walk versus the Blue Jays.

Spring roundup: Rauch, Clippard post scoreless innings

Major League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Stats and recaps from Saturday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch was credited with a win after surrendering one hit in a scoreless inning for the Toronto Blue Jays.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis appeared as a defensive replacement at catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers but did not record an at-bat.
After being added to the MLB roster for the game Paducah native Eric Roof appeared at catcher as a defense replacement for the Detroit Tigers.
Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, surrendered one unearned run in one inning versus the Mets.
Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard, who was born in Lexington, pitched a scoreless inning versus the Phillies.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-3 with a walk versus the Rays.

Louisville high school teams among state’s best; Ellis has outside shot at Dodgers’ roster; WKU dominating Sun Belt

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Bob White of the Courier-Journal previews the Louisville high school baseball teams.
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes left-handed reliever Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, is refreshed this spring after being used liberally as a rookie in 2010.
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports PLD alum A. J. Ellis may be at a disadvantage in the backup catcher competition with the Dodgers because he has a minor league option remaining and the other candidate, Hector Gimenez, does not.
Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA touches on Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville in his “27 Takes” column from Friday college baseball.

Spring roundup: Nathan Adock surrenders three runs in start

Major League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Stats and highlights from Thursday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock‘s scoreless spring came to an end after he surrendered three runs on four hits in two innings for the Kansas City Royals.
Louisville native Trever Miller surrendered two runs on one hit in one inning for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney pitched a scoreless inning for the Cincinnati Reds.
Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, struck out two batters in a scoreless inning versus the Marlins.
In that same game Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-3 with two strikeouts.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 0-3 and is batting just .196 this spring.

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.

Spring roundup: Green, Venters post scoreless appearances

Major League Baseball

Sean Green; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Friday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green was credited with a hold after pitching two scoreless innings for the Milwaukee Brewers.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-2 with one strikeout for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After being assigned to the Diamondbacks from minor league camp for Friday’s game, Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-1 as a late-inning replacement.
After being assigned to the Nationals from minor league camp for Friday’s game, former UofL outfielder Boomer Whiting was 0-1 as a late-inning replacement.
Lexington native Austin Kearns was 0-3 with one RBI for the Cleveland Indians.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 0-1 for the Minnesota Twins.
In that same game Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 0-3 with one run scored and two strikeouts.
Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney was credited with a hold despite surrendering three runs on five hits in two innings for the Cincinnati Reds.
Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, surrendered one hit and one walk in a scoreless inning versus the Mets.

Spring roundup: Adcock pitches three scoreless innings; Rauch, Magnuson and Venters also post scoreless outings

Major League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Stats and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock surrendered three hits in three scoreless innings in a start for the Kansas City Royals and has not surrendered a run this spring.
Former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton surrendered two runs on seven hits in four innings while striking out three batters and walking none in a start for the Phillies.
In that same game Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch struck out one batter in one scoreless inning for the Blue Jays.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson retired one batter and surrendered one hit without giving up a run for the Oakland Athletics.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and is batting just .150 this spring as he battles for the backup catcher job.
Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless inning versus the Cardinals.
In that same game Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-3.

Spring roundup: Jon Rauch’s win highlights poor day of Ky. spring performances; Ryan Strieby tallies RBI

Major League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Saturday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch earned a win after striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 1-1 with one RBI for the Detroit Tigers.
Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer took a loss after surrendering three runs on four hits in two innings for the Chicago Cubs.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was hitless in two at-bats for the Minnesota Twins.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was hitless in three at-bats for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson surrendered two runs on two hits in one inning for the Oakland Athletics.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney was charged with a blown save after surrendering two runs on three hits in two innings for the Cincinnati Reds.
Atlanta Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, pitched a scoreless inning versus the Mets.
In that same game Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 1-4.