MiLB roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Carroll has three hits; Glad, Dominguez homer; Ross earns win

Minor League Baseball

Delino Deshields Jr.; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney earned his first AAA win of the season in leading the Louisville Bats to an 8-0 victory over Buffalo. Maloney surrendered four hits in seven shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking two. Third baseman Todd Frazier was 3-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.
The Lexington Legends slugged three home runs and tallied 13 hits but still couldn’t avoid a 12-11 loss to Hagerstown. Second baseman Delino DeShields Jr. was 3-4 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. Right fielder Adam Bailey and left fielder Emilio King also homered. King has two home runs in two games for Lexington.
Louisville native Jason Chowning surrendered one run, his first of the season, on two hits in three innings of relief while striking out four batters and walking two for the Legends.
Great Lakes scored a single run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 3-2 loss. Right-handed pitcher George Jensen took a no decision after surrendering two runs on three hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking two.
Lexington native Robbie Ross earned his fourth win of the season after surrendering one run on four hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking two.
Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a no decision after surrendering two runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out one batter and walking four.
Making his second start in affiliated ball, former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton took a no decision after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking four for low A Clinton.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich took a no decision after surrendering three runs on six hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking one.
Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez slugged his seventh home run of the season for high A San Jose.
Former UK infielder Gunner Glad slugged his second home run of the season for low A Beloit.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell took a loss after surrendering five runs on six hits in four and two-third innings in a start for low A Beloit.
Former UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St. before the draft, was 3-4 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AAA Columbus.

MiLB roundup: Paxton posts quality start in debut; Strieby homers; Cunningham has three hits; Townsend streaking

Minor League Baseball

James Paxton; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

Each of the state’s three minor league teams’ games were rained out.
Former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton took a loss but posted a quality start in his MiLB debut. Paxton surrendered three runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking four.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby slugged his third home run of the season and went 2-3 in game one of a double-header for AAA Toledo.
London native Jon Townsend was 2-3 with two doubles, two runs scored, one walk and one RBI for high A Inland Empire to extend hits hitting streak to six games.
Louisville native and former Murray St. infielder Wes Cunningham was 3-5 with two doubles for low A Fort Wayne.
Former UK infielder Chris Bisson was 2-5 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored for low A Fort Wayne.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 2-3 with one RBI, one walk and one stolen base for AAA Rochester.
Former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 2-4 with one double, one walk and one run scored for high A Lakeland.
One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker took a loss but surrendered just two runs on three hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking two for AA Carolina.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a loss after surrendering five runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out two batters and walking one.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich took a loss after surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in four innings while striking out four batters and walking two.
Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley was promoted to high A Lynchburg where he went 0-3 in his debut.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods, Legends all lose; Adam Duvall, Jake Shaffer streaking; Justin Marks gets first win

Minor League Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto‘s poor rehab start put the Louisville Bats in an early hole in a 19-3 loss to Columbus. Cueto surrendered eight runs on nine hits in one and two-third innings.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied just five hits in a 9-5 loss to Lake County. Left fielder Cody Rogers slugged his second home run of the season.
The Savannah Sand Gnats used a four-run eighth inning to send the Lexington Legends to a 6-5 loss. Third baseman Michael Kvasnicka was 3-4 with one double, one triple, one RBI and one run scored, and designated hitter Chris Wallace slugged his league-leading sixth home run of the season.
Owensboro native and former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks earned his first win of the season after surrendering three runs on seven hits in five innings while striking out six batters and walking one.
Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall extended his hitting strea k to nine games for low A Augusta with a single.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to seven games with a single for AA Jackson.
Paducah native Jonathan Roof scored two runs and drove in three in a double-header for low A Hickory.
Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond scored three runs in a double-header for low A Hickory.
Louisville native Zack Cox was 2-4 for high A Palm Beach.

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Legends lose; Wunderlich’s walk-off grand slam gives Hot Rods win; Dominguez slugs 2 HRs

Minor League Baseball

Chris Dominguez; UofL Photo

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats won their eighth consecutive game with a 3-0 win over Indianapolis. Two-time National League All-Star Dontrelle Willis earned the win after surrendering five hits in six shutout innings while striking out six batters and walking two.
Former UofL third baseman Phil Wunderlich slugged a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to an 11-7 win over Lake County. The blast was Wunderlich’s first home run of the season. Shortstop Derek Dietrich was 3-5 with one home run, three RBI and four runs scored.
The Lexington Legends dropped a 2-1 decision to Asheville in a rain-shortened five inning game. Left-handed pitcher Brad Dydalewicz took the loss after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in four and one-third innings while striking out two batters and walking one.
Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged two home runs and drove in four runs for high A San Jose.
Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe took a no decision after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on five hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking one for AAA Tacoma.
One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St., was 3-5 with one double, one RBI and two stolen bases for AAA Columbus.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a no decision after surrendering four runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking two for high A Wilmington.
Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-4 with one double and one run scored for low A Hickory.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 2-4 with one RBI for AAA Toledo.

UK picks up commitment from Indiana infielder; Nationals may be interested in Webb; Marks traded

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

UK Athletics Wallpaper

Latest highlights and links from around Kentucky baseball:

Patrick Dorsey of The Indianapolis Star reports Zionsville infielder Max Kuhn has committed to the University of Kentucky.
Ryan Korby of The Washington Post breaks down the Nationals’ pursuit of Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb.
Kendall Rogers of Yahoo! Sports and Rivals.com lists UK among his declining NCAA programs, writing “After failing to reach a postseason again last season, the Wildcats are declining and on the verge of turning back into an SEC afterthought.”
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com profiles former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks, who was traded by the A’s to the Royals in the David DeJesus deal.
One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis was 2-4 with a double and two RBI for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.

Kentucky MiLB Pitching Leaderboard

Minor League Baseball

In the second leaderboard post we’ll look at the top statistical pitching performers from around Kentucky MiLB action. Remember comparisons across leagues are difficult, so this leaderboard should be considered a starting point for examining the best performances from Kentucky minor leaguers this season.

ERA

Chris Rusin (AA Tennessee) – 3.11
Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 3.38
Robbie Ross (High A Bakersfield) – 3.58
Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 3.79
Marty Popham (High A Kinston) – 4.05

Strikeouts

Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 138
Justin Marks (High A Stockton) – 136
Chaz Roe (AAA Colorado Springs) – 115
Marty Popham (High A Kinston) – 113
Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 113

BA Against

Chris Rusin (AA Tennessee) – .240
Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – .243
Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – .255
Justin Marks (High A Stockton) – .258
Robbie Ross (High A Kinston) – .267

Wins

Robbie Ross (High A Bakersfield) – 12
Nathan Jones (High A Winston-Salem) – 11
Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 11
Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 11
Daniel Calhoun (Low A Quad Cities) – 10

Saves

Josh Lueke (AAA Tacoma) – 17
Tyler Gatrell (R GCL Royals) – 13 *
Steven Blevins (AA New Britain) – 10
Mike Perconte (High A Daytona) – 7
Three pitchers tied at 5

Innings Pitched

Matt Klinker (AAA Louisville) – 163.2
Chaz Roe (AAA Colorado Springs) – 158
Nathan Jones (High A Winston-Salem) – 152.1
Robbie Ross (AA Frisco) – 146
Nathan Adcock (High A Bradenton) – 141.1

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

August Awards: Kentucky MiLB Alumni

Minor League Baseball

Logan Darnell; BluGrass Baseball photo

In the fourth August awards post we’ll look at the month’s best performances from alumni of Kentucky schools and those born in the state from around Minor League Baseball:

Hitter of the month: OF Jake Shaffer (High Desert Mavericks)

The former NKU outfielder has been among Kentucky’s best minor leaguers all season and August was no exception. Shaffer batted .356 with three home runs, 20 RBI and 16 runs scored for the month. The Walton native boasted a 1.038 OPS for the month.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Kuhn, Shawn Roof, Wade Gaynor, Wes Cunningham, Phil Wunderlich, Lance Ray, Keenan Wiley, John Shelby, Jason Kipnis

Pitcher of the month: LHP Logan Darnell (Elizabethton Twins)

The former UK left-handed pitcher struggled as a starter in college, but has been lights out since moving to the rotation for rookie-level Elizabethton. Darnell was 2-2 with a 1.33 ERA and 25 strikeouts compared to just five walks in 27 August innings. Darnell made five starts in the month and has a 1.44 ERA as a starter on the season.
Honorable Mention: Chris Rusin, Justin Marks, Bart Carter, Nathan Adcock, Nathan Jones, Marty Popham

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods lose; Cowgill homers; Jones, Marks win; Ross struggles in loss

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

Columbus pulled within a half game of the Louisville Bats for first place in the International League West Division after giving the Bats a 5-2 loss. Right fielder Danny Dorn was 2-3 with a double and RBI.
The Lexington Legends outhit Kannapolis 8-6 but still suffered a 4-1 loss. Left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz struck out eight in a quality start after surrendering three runs in six innings.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied six hits but couldn’t score in a 4-0 loss to Lake County. Right-handed pitcher Yorman Mayora took the loss after surrendering one run in four innings.
Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill slugged his 15th home run of the season and drove in three runs for AA Mobile.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks earned his sixth win of the season for high A Stockton after pitching two and one-third scoreless innings of relief.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones improved to 10-5 on the season after surrendering one run in seven and one-third innings for high A Winston-Salem.
LCA alum Robbie Ross fell to 12-10 on the season after surrendering five runs in two and one-third innings for high A Bakersfield.

MiLB Roundup: Legends catcher hits three HRs in loss; Cooper defeats Hot Rods; Bats lose; Rusin, Marks win

Minor League Baseball

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats snapped their eight-game winning streak with a 12-4 loss to Columbus. Designated hitter Wladimir Balentien was 2-4 with a triple, home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
The Lexington Legends blew an 8-2 sixth inning lead in an eventual 10-8 loss to West Virginia. Catcher Ben Heath posted one of the best performances of the season, going 3-4 with three home runs, seven RBI and three runs scored.
Danville native and 2010 Tigers draftee Patrick Cooper held the Bowling Green Hot Rods scoreless for six and one-third innings in a 4-2 West Michigan win. Cooper surrendered just two hits in the start.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin won his second consecutive start for AA Tennessee after surrendering two unearned runs in six innings. Rusin struck out six and walked one.
One-time UK outfielder Jason Kipnis was 2-5 with a home run, two RBI and one run scored for AA Akron.
Former UK catcher and 2010 Astros NDFA Marcus Nidiffer was promoted to short-season Tri-City of the New York-Penn League where he went 1-3 in his debut.
Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll slugged his seventh home run of the season for AA San Antonio.
Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez slugged his 18th home run and drove in four runs for low A Augusta.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks picked up his second consecutive win after surrendering one run in six innings for high A Stockton.
Former NKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox draftee Jarrett Casey surrendered just five hits in 10 shutout innings but still took a no decision for rookie-level Bristol.