Robbins named Sun Belt POW; Riddle named SEC FOW; A’s option Magnuson to AAA; Reds option seven to Louisville

Logan Robbins bats vs. UK in 2010; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Western Kentucky University junior shortstop Logan Robbins was named Sun Belt Conference player of the week.
University of Kentucky freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle, who was the BluGrass Baseball freshman of the week, has been named the Southeastern Conference freshman of the week.
The Oakland Athletics have optioned former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson to AAA Sacramento.
The Louisville Bats‘ 2011 roster is starting to take shape after the Cincinnati Reds optioned left-handed pitcher Daniel Ray Herrera, shortstop Kris Negron, infielder Zack Cozart, first baseman Yonder Alonso, right-handed pitcher Carlos Fisher, right-handed pitcher Jordan Smith and utility man Todd Frazier to Louisville.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports the Rangers pushed back Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb‘s batting practice session to Wednesday or Thursday due to rain. Grant notes Webb will begin his rehab by alternating starts between AAA Round Rock and AA Frisco depending on which team is home.
John Wagner, writing for Baseball America, reports now that former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby is healthy his path to the Tigers’ MLB roster is still blocked by Miguel Cabrera. (subscription required)
Dick Kaegel of MLB.com reports Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock is among eight candidates still in the running for the final five spots in the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen.

Spring roundup: Nathan Adcock continues scoreless spring

Major League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Stats and highlights from Saturday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock struck out one batter in a scoreless inning for the Kansas City Royals and has yet to surrender a run this spring.
Lexington native Austin Kearns was 1-3 with two RBI for the Cleveland Indians.
Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade surrendered one run on two hits in one and two-third innings for the Tampa Bay Rays.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-2 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After being assigned to the Arizona Diamondbacks from minor league camp for the game, Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-2 versus the Reds.
Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard, who was born in Lexington, surrendered one run while just recording one out.
Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-2 with one walk.
Braves right-handed pitcher Michael Broadway, who was born in Paducah, struck out one batter in a scoreless inning of relief.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-2 with one RBI.

Downs to start season on DL with broken toe; Albers signs minor league contract with Twins; Wade excels for Rays

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times reports Louisville native and former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs will start the season on the disabled list after breaking his left big toe on Sunday. Downs would only say he injured the toe while “playing around with the kids,” and DiGiovanna notes the injury will likely keep him out till at least mid April.
Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers has signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. Albers spent 2010 in the independent Can-Am League and last appeared in affiliated ball in 2008 when he appeared in five games for the AZL Padres before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Josh Caldwell of The News-Enterprise in Hardin County catches up with Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock who has pitched well in his audition to make the Kansas City Royals MLB roster this spring.
Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com breaks down former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade‘s attempt at a comeback with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Brewers manager Ron Roenicke is still uncertain as to when Bowling Green native Corey Hart will return from injury and whether he can get the outfielder enough at-bats in Spring Training to be ready for Opening Day.

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.

UofL, UK pitching performances impress; Paxton sent to minor league camp; Kipnis among top Indians prospects

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Todd Wellemeyer; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA breaks down the University of Louisville‘s Friday win versus Pepperdine, noting he was impressed by sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch, freshman first baseman Ryan Seiz and senior catcher J. J. Ethel. (Subscription required)
Rogers also highlights University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer and UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung in his 27 takes from Saturday college baseball action.
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock may be the favorite for the Royals’ long-reliever spot in the bullpen since he has pitched well this spring and would have to be offered back to the Pirates as a Rule 5 pick if he doesn’t make the MLB roster.
Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald in Chicago profiles Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, who says he has been working on a new mental approach to pitching during the offseason.
Larry Stone of The Seattle Times reports the Mariners have re-assigned former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton to minor league camp.
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com ranks one-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis the No. 3 prospect in the Cleveland Indians’ organization.
Tyler Kepner of The New York Times profiles the Texas Rangers’ plan B: Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb.

Spring roundup: Nathan Jones gets win for White Sox; Nathan Adcock, Trever Miller post scoreless apperances

Major League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Stats and highlights from Thursday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Covington native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones earned a win after surrendering one unearned run on two hits in two innings for the Chicago White Sox.
Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock pitched another scoreless inning for the Kansas City Royals and has not surrendered an earned run this spring.
Louisville native Trever Miller struck out both batters he faced in a relief appearance for the St. Louis Cardinals.
In that same game Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 1-3 with one RBI.
Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke was credited with a blown save after surrendering two runs on one hit in one inning for the Seattle Mariners.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 1-4 with one run scored for the Detroit Tigers.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 1-3 with a double for the Minnesota Twins.
Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill struck out in his only at-bat for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis was 0-1 for the Cleveland Indians.
Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard, who was born in Lexington, surrendered four runs, three of which were earned, on three hits in one inning while striking out two batters and walking none.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 0-4 with two strikeouts versus the Pirates.

Spring roundup: Nathan Adcock, Josh Lueke, Trever Miller post scoreless outings; A. J. Ellis is 2-2 at the plate

Major League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Stats and highlights from Monday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock surrendered two hits in two scoreless innings and struck out two batters for the Kansas City Royals. Adcock, a 2010 Rule 5 draft pick, has yet to surrender a run in three spring appearances.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 2-2 with one run scored and one RBI for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke surrendered one hit in two scoreless innings and struck out one batter for the Seattle Mariners.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 0-2 with one RBI for the Minnesota Twins.
In that same game Louisville native Trever Miller recorded a hold after walking one batter and recording two outs in a scoreless appearance.
Covington native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones was credited with a blown save after surrendering two runs on three hits in one inning for the Chicago White Sox.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-3 in a start for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-3 with one double and one strikeout.

Spring Training roundup: Nathan Adcock, Cory Wade, Sean Green and Jonny Venters post scoreless appearances

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Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Highlights and stats from Thursday Kentucky Spring Training action:

PRP alum Zack Cox was 2-4 with one double and one run scored for the St. Louis Cardinals.
North Hardin alum Nathan Adcock struck out one batter in a scoreless inning and recorded a hold for the Kansas City Royals.
Kentucky Wesleyan alum Cory Wade struck out one batter in two scoreless innings for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green struck out one batter in a scoreless inning for the Milwaukee Brewers.
In that same game former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson surrendered one run on two hits in one inning for the Oakland Athletics.
Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney surrendered one run on three hits in three innings for the Cincinnati Reds. Maloney struck out three batters and walked none.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 1-2 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lexington native Austin Kearns was 0-2 with two walks for the Cleveland Indians.
In that same game one-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis was 0-3 with one strikeout.
Batting leadoff, former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-5 with one strikeout for the Arizona Diamondbacks
Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, struck out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Spring roundup: Blanton excels in debut; Maloney, Adcock post scoreless appearances; Streiby makes second start

Major League Baseball

Joe Blanton; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Check out the daily rundown of Sunday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton pitched three hitless innings in his Spring Training debut for the Philadelphia Phillies. Blanton struck out one batter and walked one.
Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney struck out two batters in two perfect innings for the Cincinnati Reds.
In that same game Lexington native Austin Kearns was 1-2 with a strikeout for the Cleveland Indians.
Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock surrendered two hits in a scoreless inning for the Kansas City Royals.
Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-3 with one strikeout in his Spring Training debut.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby earned his second consecutive start at first base for the Detroit Tigers but was 0-2 Sunday.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-2 for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Royals take Nathan Adcock in Rule 5 Draft

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

The Kansas City Royals selected Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock with the fifth pick in the MLB portion of the Rule 5 draft this morning. The Royals must keep Adcock on the 25-man roster all season or return him to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the organization they selected him from. Adcock, who was the fifth-round pick of the Seattle Mariners in the 2006 draft out of North Hardin High School, was traded to Pittsburgh in July of 2009 in a deal that sent Jack Wilson to Seattle.

The Royals plan to give Adcock a shot to win a spot in the team’s starting rotation in Spring Training, but he could possibly stick with the team as a reliever if he doesn’t make the rotation. “If he doesn’t win a job as a starter, he could fit into the bullpen because he throws strikes. But he’s not the typical power reliever that you see out of the bullpen,” Royals assistant general manager J. J. Picollo told Dick Kaegel of MLB.com. Adcock was 11-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 27 games for high A Bradenton of the Florida State League in 2010. (Read more)

“If he doesn’t win a job as a starter, he could fit into the bullpen because he throws strikes. But he’s not the typical power reliever that you see out of the bullpen,” Picollo said.