Gaynor named Tigers’ all star; Nidiffer, Legends named Astros’ all stars; Reber homers in UK scrimmage

Jacob Goebbert; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links and highlights from around Kentucky baseball:

Ashley Marshall, writing for MLB.com, named former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor to the Detroit Tigers organizational all-star team.
Josh Jackson, writing for MLB.com, named former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer and 2010 Lexington Legends infielder Jose Altuve, outfielders J. D. Martinez and Jacob Goebbert, designated hitter Kody Hinze and starting pitcher Jose Cisnero to the Houston Astros organizational all-star team.
The University of Kentucky‘s Thursday scrimmage was highlighted by a three-run home run from freshman infielder Dallen Reber.
Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review lists Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer as a possible free-agent acquisition for the Pirates.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke struck out two in a scoreless inning for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

End of season awards: Lexington Legends

The 2010 Minor League Baseball regular season is in the books for the state’s three minor league teams. Today we’ll start a series looking at the season’s best performances from each team and Kentucky alumni in the minors. In the first season awards post we’ll look at the Lexington Legends.

Hitter of the year: OF J. D. Martinez

Outfielder J. D. Martinez was selected as the South Atlantic League most valuable player, so picking him as the Legends best offensive player was a no brainer. Martinez batted .362 with 15 home runs, 64 RBI and 83 runs scored in just 88 games. Despite spending the final two months of the season in AA, Martinez still recorded enough SAL plate appearances to win the league batting title. He also led the league in slugging and on-base percentage.
Honorable Mention — Outfielder Jacob Goebbert set new Legends records with 98 RBI and 48 doubles…First baseman Kody Hinze also broke the previous team RBI record with 97 and slugged 19 home runs….Second baseman Jose Altuve was named All-league after batting .308 in 94 games.

Pitcher of the year: RHP Jose Cisnero

Right-handed starting pitcher Jose Cisnero led the Legends with eight wins, a 3.65 ERA and 126 strikeouts in 133 innings. Cisnero made 26 starts on the season and boasted a 1.29 WHIP. His 126 strikeouts ranked seventh in the South Atlantic League
Honorable Mention — Left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz fell just short of qualifying for the league ERA race but boasted a 3.61 mark with 88 strikeouts in 99 and two-third innings…Closer Kirk Clark set the Legends’ single-season and career saves record with 29…Right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue led the team with 133 and two-third innings pitched.

MiLB Roundup: Bats clinch playoff spot despite loss; Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Adcock wins; Gaynor homers

Minor League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats clinched a spot in the International League playoffs despite a 4-1 loss to Indianapolis. One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker took the loss after surrendering four runs in five and one-third innings.
Two Lexington Legends pitcher combined on a seven-hit shutout in a 6-0 win over Rome. Right–handed pitcher Jose Cisnero improved to 8-6 on the season after surrendering four hits in six innings.
Great Lakes scored six runs in the first innings and held on to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 7-5 loss. Right-handed pitcher Alex Koronis held the Loons to just one run in four and one-third innings out of the Bowling Green bullpen.
Former WKU right-handed pitcher J. B. Paxon recorded a hold with one and one-third scoreless innings for Great Lakes.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell took the loss in the decisive game of the Appalachian League finals after surrendering four runs in six and two-third innings for rookie-level Elizabethton.
Former UK infielder Michael Bertram was 3-4 with a double, triple, RBI and two runs scored for AAA Toledo.
Former UofL outfielder and 2010 Rangers draftee Josh Richmond was 3-4 with a walk, double and RBI for short-season Spokane.
Former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor slugged his tenth home run of the season for low A West Michigan.
Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock improved to 11-7 on the season after surrendering two runs in five and two-third innings for high A Bradenton.
Covington native Neil Wilson slugged his sixth home run of the season for AAA New Orleans.

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 lose; Legends, Hot Rods win; Shaffer streaking; Adcock gets no decision; Lueke gets save

Minor League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights from Kentucky MiLB action:

Paducah native Shawn Roof and the Toledo Mud Hens sent the Louisville Bats to a 6-2 loss. Roof tallied three hits, one RBI and one run scored for the Mud Hens, and right fielder Wladimir Balentien homered for the Bats.
Lexington Legends pitchers surrendered just four hits in a 14-1 win over Hagerstown. First baseman Kody Hinze slugged his 17th home run of the season, right fielder Jacob Goebbert drove in five runs and right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero surrendered one run in six innings.
Bowling Green Hot Rods pitchers surrendered just three hits in a 4-1 win over Fort Wayne. Catcher Mark Thomas was 2-4 with a double and two RBI.
Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to eight games with a single for high A High Desert. Monday’s game was the first in the streak in which Shaffer didn’t have multiple hits.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke recorded his 17th save of the season for AA Tacoma.
Former Murray St. left-handed pitcher Daniel Calhoun improved to 8-0 on the season after pitching two scoreless innings of relief for low A Quad Cities.
Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock took a no decision after surrendering two runs in five innings for high A Bradenton.
Louisville native and 2010 Astros draftee Jason Chowning earned his second professional win with three scoreless innings of relief for short-season Tri-City.

MiLB Roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Langfels, Cunningham, Townsend homer; Mabee gets win

Minor League Baseball

Wes Cunningham: BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats opened their seven-game homestand with a 5-1 win over Indianapolis. Right fielder Wladimir Balentien was 3-4 with two home runs, four RBI and two runs scored.
The Lexington Legends blew a 4-0, eighth inning lead in an eventual 5-4 loss to Augusta. Right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero took a no decision despite facing the minimum 21 batters through seven shutout innings. Cisnero surrendered one hit and struck out four.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods failed to secure a series split against South Bend with a 3-2 loss Tuesday. Center fielder Ty Morrison was 2-4 with two RBI.
Former EKU third baseman and 2010 Rockies draftee Jayson Langfels slugged his fourth home run of the season for short-season Tri-City.
Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-5 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored for high A High Desert.
Former Murray St. first baseman and 2010 Padres draftee Wes Cunningham slugged his fourth home run of the season for short-season Eugene.
Former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Henry Mabee earned his third win of the season with two shutout innings for AA Birmingham.
London native Jon Townsend slugged his sixth home run of the season for high A Rancho Cucamonga.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Rusin injured; Green returns to mound; Holland gets win

Minor League Baseball

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

Very late highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

Catcher Devin Mesoraco launched his second grand slam in as many games to lead the Louisville Bats to a 6-2 win over Syracuse. Third baseman Juan Francisco also homered.
The Lexington Legends scored four runs in the seventh inning to earn a come-from-behind 5-2 win over Greenville. Right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero took a no decision despite surrendering just two runs in six innings.
Lake County scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 5-4 last at-bat loss. Right fielder Brett Nommensen and first baseman Kyle Wiegand each homered for the Hot Rods.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin surrendered two unearned runs in two innings before leaving with an injury, thought the Cubs have since said it was a precautionary move.
Former UK catcher and 2010 Astros NDFA Marcus Nidiffer slugged his 14th home run of the season for short-season Tri-City.
Pitching for the first time this season former UK right-handed pitcher Scott Green struck out two in a scoreless inning on a rehab assignment for the rookie-level GCL Tigers.
Former UK catcher Sean Coughlin was 3-4 with two RBI for AA Mobile.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher and 2010 Nationals draftee Neil Holland earned his third win of the season with three scoreless innings for short-season Vermont.
Former EKU infielder Neil Sellers slugged his fifth home run of the season for AAA Lehigh Valley.

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.

July Awards: Lexington Legends

Minor League Baseball

In the third July awards post we’ll look at the best performances from the Lexington Legends for the month:

Hitter of the month: INF Andrew Simunic

The Legends don’t boast many standout performances from July with two of their better hitters receiving promotions by the end of the month. However second baseman Andrew Simunic stands out above the remaining Legends with a .333 batting average, one home run, 13 RBI, 19 runs scored and three stolen bases in 24 July games.
Honorable Mention: Jonathan Meyer, Jonathan Fixler, Jose Altuve, Jacob Goebbert

Pitcher of the month: LHP Luis Cruz

Legends pitcher fared much better than their offensive counterparts during July with several standout performances. Chief among those performances was left-handed starting pitcher Luiz Cruz, who finished July at 3-1 with a 2.78 ERA in five starts. Cruz struck out struck out 28 and walked just five in 32 and one-third innings.
Honorable Mention: Jose Cisnero, Juan Minaya, Wander Alvino, Kirk Clark

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Rusin, Holland, Ellis Win; Shaffer, Townsend homer

Minor League Baseball

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats slugged four home runs en route to an 11-7 win over Charlotte. First baseman Yonder Alonso, designated hitter Juan Francisco, outfielder Chris Dickerson and outfielder Wladimir Balentein each homered for the Bats.
Lexington Legends closer Kirk Clark set the new Legends career and single-season saves record with his 22nd save in a 3-2 win over Rome. Right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero earned the win after surrendering two runs in six innings.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods couldn’t over come and early 5-1 deficit after two innings in a 8-7 loss to Quad Cities. First baseman Ryan Wiegand and right fielder Gabe Cohen each homered for the Hot Rods.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin earned his fourth win of the season for high A Daytona after surrendering three runs in six innings. Rusin struck out six and walked none.
Former UK right-handed pitcher Zach Dials was promoted to AA Harrisburg where he surrendered one run in two-thirds of an inning in his debut.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher and 2010 Nationals draftee Neil Holland earned his second win of the season with three scoreless innings for short-season Vermont.
Former UofL infielder and 2010 Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich was 3-5 with two doubles and a run scored for short-season Hudson Valley.
Former WKU outfielder Chad Cregar was 2-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored for low A Greensboro.
Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer homered for the second consecutive game and drove in three runs for high A High Desert.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere scored three times, tallied two hits and stole a base for AA New Britain.
London native Jon Townsend slugged his fifth home run of the season, drove in two runs and scored twice for high A Rancho Cucamonga.
Lexington native Josh Ellis picked up his second win of the season after two scoreless innings of relief for AA Mobile.