Kris Negron

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Jake Shaffer streak hits 10 games; Collin Cowgill, Seth Bynum homer; Rusin takes no decision

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats received a strong start from rehabbing Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey and pounded out 13 hits in a 9-0 win over Toledo. Bailey surrendered three hits in five and one-third shutout innings while striking out six batters and walking one. Designated hitter Yonder Alonso, first baseman Eric Eymann and second baseman Kris Negron each homered in the game.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 10 games and was 3-6 with one double, two RBI and two runs scored for AA Jackson. Shaffer is batting .368 with three home runs, 10 RBI and 13 runs scored on the season.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 2-5 with one triple, one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for AAA Reno.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking one for AA Tennessee.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum slugged his second home run of the season for AAA Syracuse.
  • Trinity alum Tyler Kuhn was 2-4 with one double, one triple, one RBI, one walk and two runs scored for AA Birmingham.

MiLB Roundup: Two Legends slug three HRs in win; Bats, Hot Rods win; Shelby, Wunderlich, Roof homer; Ross wins

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Lexington Legends had a rare offensive outburst in an 18-9 win over Asheville. Both catcher Chris Wallace and designated hitter Telvin Nash each slugged three home runs. Wallace was 5-6 with nine RBI and four runs scored, and Nash was 5-6 with four RBI and four runs scored.
  • The Louisville Bats returned to its winning ways with a 6-4, 13-inning victory over Indianapolis. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey surrendered two hits in five scoreless innings in a rehab appearance for the Bats. Second baseman Kris Negron was 3-5 with one double and two runs scored, and outfielder Brian Barton slugged a home run.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods rallied for a 7-6 win over Lake County. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 2-4 with one home run, one double, three RBI and one run scored. Left fielder Cody Rogers and second baseman Hector Guevara both homered.
  • LCA alum Robbie Ross earned his first win of the season after surrendering four hits in six shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking three for high A Myrtle Beach.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored for AA Montgomery.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, one walk and one stolen base for low A Hickory.
  • Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-4 with one RBI, one walk and one run scored for low A Hickory.
  • Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor extended his hitting streak to six games with a single and two RBI for high A Lakeland.
  • Paducah native Jonathan Roof slugged his first professional home run and scored twice for low A Hickory.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods, Legends win; Kuhn has four hits; Glad has three hits in support of Darnell’s stellar start

Minor League Baseball

Logan Darnell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats w0n their seventh consecutive game with a 5-2 victory over Indianapolis. Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke improved to 2-0 after surrendering two runs on six hits in six and two-third innings. Left fielder Dave Sappelt, third baseman Todd Frazier and center fielder Kris Negron all homered for Louisville.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods used a three-run fifth inning to earn a 4-1 win over Fort Wayne. Left-handed pitcher Braulio Lara earned the win after surrendering one run on two hits in five innings, and left-handed pitcher Chris Rearick earned the save after surrendering one hit in four shutout innings.
  • The Lexington Legends held 2010 No. 1 pick Bryce Harper to just one hit in a 7-0 shutout win over Hagerstown. Right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue improved to 2-0 after surrendering five hits in eight shutout inning while striking out four and walking two. Designated hitter Telvin Nash and center fielder Daniel Adamson each homered for Lexington.
  • Louisville native Tyler Kuhn was 4-4 with one stolen base for AA Birmingham.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 3-6 with one RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base.
  • Former UK third baseman Gunner Glad was 3-6 with one double for low A Beloit.
  • Glad’s performance backed a stellar pitching performance from former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell, who took a no decision despite surrendering just two hits in eight shutout innings while striking out six batters and walking none for Beloit.
  • Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich took a loss after surrendering seven runs on eight hits in six innings in a start for AA Tulsa.
  • One-time UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, who transferred to Texas A&M from UofL, took a no decision after surrendering five runs on nine hits in seven innings while striking out four batters and walking none.

Top Reds’ prospects highlight Bats Opening Day roster

Minor League Baseball

The Louisville Bats have unveiled the team’s Opening Day roster, which is highlighted by five of the Cincinnati Reds’ top 10 prospects according to Baseball America. The Bats will also feature right-handed pitcher Matt Klinker, who spent some time at Madisonville North Hopkins High School before moving to Ohio. Check out the full roster below:

Pitchers

  • RHP — Scott Carroll — Kansas City, Mo. — 3rd Round (2007)
  • LHP — Tom Cochran — Wilmington, Del. — 20th round, Red Sox (2003)
  • RHP — Carlos Fisher — West Covina, Cal. — 11th round (2005)
  • RHP — Jerry Gil — San Pedro de Macoris, DR — FA, D’Backs (1999)
  • LHP — Daniel Ray Herrera — Odessa, Tex. — 45th round (2006)
  • LHP — Jeremy Horst — Cheyenne, Wyo. — 21st round (2007)
  • RHP — David Johnson — Los Angeles, Cal. — 15th round, Brewers (2004)
  • RHP — Matt Klinker — Peru, Ind. (Madisonville, Ky.) — 15th round (2007)
  • LHP — Joseph Krebs — Denton, Tex. — 14th round (2007)
  • RHP — Kyle McCulloch — Houston, Tex. — 1st round, White Sox (2006)
  • RHP — Chad Reineke — Defiance, Ohio — 13th round, Astros (2004)
  • LHP — Dontrelle Willis — Oakland, Cal. — 8th round, Cubs (2000)

Catchers

  • Devin Mesoraco — Dubois, Penn. — 1st round (2007)
  • Corky Miller — Yucaipa, Cal. — NDFA (1998)

Infielders

  • 1B — Yonder Alonso –Havana, Cuba — 1st round (2008)
  • SS — Zack Cozart — Memphis, Tenn. — 2nd round (2007)
  • 1B — Daniel Dorn — San Dimas, Cal. — 32nd round (2006)
  • 1B — Michael Griffin — Corpus Christi, Tex. — 14th round (2005)
  • SS — Kris Negron — Willingboro, N. J. — 7th round, Red Sox (2006)
  • 2B — Chris Valaika — Santa Monica, Cal. — 3rd Round (2006)

Outfielders

  • Brian Barton — Los Angeles, Cal. — NDFA (2004)
  • Todd Frazier — Point Pleasant, N. J. — 1st supp. round (2007)
  • Jeremy Hermida — Atlanta, Ga. — 1st round, Marlins (2002)
  • Dave Sappelt — Graham, N. C. — 9th round (2008)

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

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

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.

Kipnis ranked No. 3 in Indians’ system; UofL signs top 30 pitcher; Paxton, Mariners talks remain at impasse

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jason Kipnis; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Ben Badler of Baseball America ranks one-time UK outfielder, turned second baseman Jason Kipnis the No. 3 prospect in the Indians’ system. Kipnis transfered to Arizona State after his redshirt-freshman season at UK. (subscription required)
  • Matt Eddy of BA breaks down the trade that sent former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson to the Athletics, writing Magnuson’s “career prospects perked up after a full-time move to the bullpen in 2009, culminating in a fine 2010 season in Double-A that featured six times as many strikeouts (63) as walks (10).”
  • Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com also profiles Magunson, noting the A’s will have to add him to the MLB 40-man roster or risk losing him in the December Rule 5 draft.
  • Baseball America has released its top 100 high school prospects list for the 2011 draft, which includes one University of Louisville signee: right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi of Illinois. BA ranked Burdi at No. 26 on the list.
  • Larry Larue of The New Tribune in Tacoma has an update on former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton, who has until the June 2011 draft to sign with the Mariners. Seattle director of amateur scouting Tom McNamara told Larue negotiations remain at the status quo with the two sides continuing to talk and neither wanting to discuss the situation in public.
  • Mayo reports PRP alum Zack Cox, the St. Louis Cardinals’ 2010 first-round pick, was nominated for the Arizona Fall League’s Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award. Former Lexington Legends infielder Koby Clemens and 2010 Louisville Bats infielder Kris Negron were also nominated for the award.
  • Cox launched his second home run of the AFL season for the Surprise Rafters on Wednesday and drove in four runs. Cox’s home run came of former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Henry Mabee.
  • Kipnis was 2-5 with a double and run scored for the Peoria Javelinas of the AFL.