Kentuckians in MLB Playoffs

Major League Baseball

The playoffs are officially underway with the Texas Rangers up 4-0 on Tampa Bay at the time of this posting. The playoffs aren’t without plenty of Kentucky connections as every team except the Giants has a player with Bluegrass State connections. Check out the list of Kentucky natives and former minor league players participating in the playoffs below:

Cincinnati Reds (NL Central)

  • Edison Volquez — Louisville Bats (2010)*
  • Johnny Cueto — Louisville Bats (2007)
  • Aroldis Chapman — Louisville Bats (2010)
  • Logan Ondrusek — Louisville Bats (2008, 09, 10)
  • Bill Bray — Louisville Bats (2007, 08, 09, 10)
  • Homer Bailey — Louisville Bats (2007, 08, 09, 10)
  • Travis Wood — Louisville Bats (2009, 2010)
  • Joey Votto — Louisville Bats (2007)
  • Jay Bruce — Louisville Bats (2007, 08, 09)
  • Drew Stubbs — Louisville Bats (2008, 09)
  • Jonny Gomes — Louisville Bats (2009)
  • Ryan Hanigan — Louisville Bats (2003, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10)
  • Chris Heisey — Louisville Bats (2009)
  • Paul Janish — Louisville Bats (2007, 08)
  • Juan Francisco — Louisville Bats (2009, 10)

Philadelphia Phillies (NL East)

  • Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson HS (UK)

Atlanta Braves (NL Wild Card)

  • Jonny Venters — Born in Pikeville, Ky. (HS in Florida)
  • Brooks Conrad — Lexington Legends (2003)

Minnesota Twins (AL Central)

  • Jon Rauch — Oldham Co. High School (Morehead St.)

New York Yankees (AL Wild Card)

  • Austin Kearns — Lafayette High School

Tampa Bay Rays (AL East)

  • Ben Zobrist — Lexington Legends (2005)

Texas Rangers (AL West)

  • Josh Hamilton — Louisville Bats (2007)*

*– Volquez and Hamilton both played for Louisville only during rehab assignments.

BluGrass Baseball rankings in BA’s 2010 Prospect Handbook

Minor League Baseball

The Baseball America Prospect Handbook is simply a must-have for any minor-league baseball fan. My handbook, in which Baseball America ranks the top 30 prospects in each organization, came in today, and since I ordered it straight from BA they included a 31st prospect supplement for each team. I’m listing where Kentucy players rank in their organizations below, but I’ll leave all BA’s analysis out as incentive for you to go buy their great product.

Houston Astros

  • 3) — RHP Jordan Lyles — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 4)  — RHP Sammy Gervacio — 2005/2006 Lexington Legends
  • 6) — RHP Ross Seaton — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 8 — OF Jay Austin — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 11) — SS Tommy Manzella — 2006 Lexington Legends
  • 12) — RHP Daniel Meszaros — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 14) — LHP Fernando Abad — 2008 Lexington Legends
  • 15) — RHP Matt Nevarez — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 19) — RHP Arcenio Leon — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 20) — C/OF Koby Clemens — 2006/2007 Lexington Legends
  • 21) — OF Brian Bogusevic — 2006 Lexington Legends
  • 23) — RHP Evan Englebrook — 2005 Lexington Legends
  • 25) — OF Collin DeLome — 2008 Lexington Legends
  • 26) — LHP Polin Trinidad — 2007 Lexington Legends
  • 27) — RHP Henry Villar — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 28) — RHP Ashton Mowdy — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 29) — LHP Brad Dydalewicz — 2009 Lexington Legends
  • 30) — RHP Kyle Greenwalt — 2009 Lexington Legends

Oakland Athletics

  • 27) — LHP Justin Marks — University of Louisville

Toronto Blue Jays

  • 1) — RHP Zach Stewart — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 7) — RHP Josh Roenicke — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 20) — RHP Daniel Webb — Ashland, Ky. (Blazer)
  • 22) — RHP Trystan Magnuson — University of Louisville

Atlanta Braves

  • 22) — LHP Richard Sullivan — Louisville, Ky. (Ballard)

St. Louis Cardinals

  • 27) — LHP Ben Jukich — 2009 Louisville Bats

Arizona Diamondbacks

  • 9) — OF Collin Cowgill — University of Kentucky

San Francisco Giants

  • 18) — 3B Chris Dominguez — University of Louisville

Baltimore Orioles

  • 31) — C Craig Tatum — 2009 Louisville Bats

Philadelphia Phillies

  • 24) — RHP B. J. Rosenberg — University of Louisville

Texas Rangers

  • 7) — LHP Robbie Ross — Lexington, Ky. (LCA)

Tampa Bay Rays

  • 4) — LHP Matt Moore — 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rods
  • 6) — SS Tim Beckham — 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rods
  • 10) — RHP Nick Barnese — 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rods
  • 13) — RHP Joe Cruz — 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rods
  • 26) — LHP Frank De Los Santos — 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rods
  • 29) — C Jake Jefferies —  2009 Bowling Green Hot Rods
  • 31) — OF Keyong Kang — 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rods

Cincinnati Reds

  • 1) — INF/OF Todd Frazier — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 2) — 1B Yonder Alonso — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 4) — OF Chris Heisey — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 5) — 3B Juan Francisco — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 7) — LHP Travis Wood — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 8 — LHP Matt Maloney — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 12) — SS/2B Chris Valakia — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 14) — RHP Logan Ondrusek — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 19) — RHP Enerio Del Rosario — 2009 Louisville Bats
  • 22)  — LHP Pedro Viola — 2009 Louisville Bats

Colorado Rockies

  • 2) — LHP Christian Friedrich — Eastern Kentucky University
  • 24) — RHP Chaz Roe — Lexington, Ky. (Lafayette)

Kansas City Royals

  • 19) — OF Jordan Parraz — 2007 Lexington Legends

Detroit Tigers

  • 11) — 1B Ryan Strieby — University of Kentucky
  • 24) — 3B Wade Gaynor — Western Kentucky University
  • 28) — RHP Scott Green — University of Kentucky

Minnesota Twins

  • 5) — OF Ben Revere — Lexington, Ky. (Lex Cath)

Chicago White Sox

  • 25) — OF John Shelby — University of Kentucky
  • 26) — RHP Nathan Jones — Northern Kentucky University

Reds set 40 man; Guillen wasn’t on UofL radar

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Chris Heisey; Photo via Flickr

Free agency is officially in full stride. All free agents can now negotiate with new teams so some might start signing contracts in the coming days. Don’t look for any of the Kentucky natives to sign until later this offseason though.

  • The Reds added 2009 Bats Chris Heisey, Logan Ondrusek, Chris Valaika, Philippe Valiquette and Travis Wood to the 40 man roster.
  • MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reports 2009 Bat Lance Nix refused assignment to Louisville and became a free agent.
  • Rick Bozich of the Louisville Courier-Journal reports UofL did not recruit White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen’s son Ozney Guillen despite published reports he signed with South Florida over Louisville.
  • The Bowling Green Daily News reports on WKU’s new baseball signing class.
  • Dan Conolly of The Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles claimed 2009 Bats catcher Craig Tatum off waivers from the Reds.
  • Tristan H. Cockcroft of ESPN.com answers some questions about the 2010 top 200 fantasy players rankings including one about Pikeville-native Mark Reynolds. (Check back latter for full breakdown)

Arizona Fall League Bluegrass wrap-up

Minor League Baseball

The Arizona Fall League regular season officially wrapped up Thursday. No Kentucky players are represented in the championship game to be played tomorrow, so their AFL seasons are now over. With that in mind here’s a look at each BluGrass Baseball AFL season:

RHP Chaz Roe — Lexington, Ky. — Scottsdale Scorpions

  • 0-2, 4.50 ERA, 10 SO/4 BB
  • 5 GS, 12 IP, .365 BA against

OF Chris Heisey — Louisville Bats — Peoria Saguaros

  • .297, 5 home runs, 14 RBI
  • .297/.379/.593

1B Yonder Alonso — Louisville Bats — Peoria Saguaros

  • .267, 2 home runs, 23 RBI
  • .267/.353/.395

RHP Logan Ondrusek — Louisville Bats — Peoria Saguaros

  • 2-1, 13.50 ERA, 8 SO/2 BB
  • 10 games, 10 IP, 1 save

RHP Sean Watson — Louisville Bats — Peoria Saguaros

  • 0-1, 7.11 ERA, 12 SO/6 BB
  • 10 games, 12.2 IP, .371 BA against

RHP Daniel Meszaros — Lexington Legends — Peoria Saguaros

  • 0-0, 4.63 ERA, 15 SO/3 BB
  • 12 games, 11.2 IP, 1 save

Winter League roundup

Minor League Baseball
Chris Heisey

Chris Heisey; Photo via Flickr

Not many stories to link on a Sunday morning, so here’s a look at some of the Kentucky minor leaguers in Winter League action. Most of these players are 2009 Louisville Bats, but one Legend, two Kentucky college alums and one high school alum are also accounted for.

  • 2009 Bat Chris Heisey was 1-4 with three strikeouts for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League Friday. He’s now batting .308 with five home runs an 14 RBI in the fall season.
  • His teammate Yonder Alonso was 0-3 in the game and is batting .290 with two home runs and 17 RBI.
  • 2009 Bat Wes Bankston is batting .229 in 13 games in the Caribbean League.
  • Bats’ outfielder Daniel Dorn has four home runs in 17 game in the Venezuelan Winter League.
  • Late-season Louisville pickup Lew Ford is batting .276 in the VWL.
  • Bats slugger Juan Francisco has three home runs in 18 games in the Dominican Winter League.
  • Adam Rosales is batting .304 in 29 games in the Caribbean League.
  • Louisville starting pitchers Ben Jukich (2.87) and Sam LeCure (8.59) are both pitching in the DWL.
  • Relievers Logan Ondrusek (2-1, 13.50) and Sean Watson (0-1, 8.44) are struggling in the AFL.
  • 2009 Legends reliever Daniel Meszaros has a 5.59 ERA in 10 games in the AFL.
  • Lafayette alum Chaz Roe allowed two runs in four innings for Scottsdale in the AFL. In four starts, Roe is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA.
  • Phillies farmhand and EKU alum Neil Sellers is batting .371 with three home runs and 18 RBI in 23 games in the Caribbean Winter League.
  • UofL alum, and Sellers’ teammate B. J. Rosenberg is 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA in seven games with two saves.

UK picks up five; Aaron honored; Uggla at 2nd

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
Dan Uggla

Dan Uggla; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

More signing news is leaking traveling the grapevine. I’m told at least one state university should have a full release about all signed players early next week. Check out those stories and others in some Saturday links:

  • Adam Revelette of Examiner.com reports Trevor Gott, Tates Creek; Corey Littrell, Trinity; J. T. Riddle, Western Hills; and Lucas Witt, LCA, each signed with UK to play baseball.
  • He adds those players Kentucky Baseball Club teammates also signed college LOIs. Noah Smallwood, West Jessamine, signed with Morehead. Brock Downey, Murray HS, signed with Murray State and Tanner Smith, North Laurel, signed with WKU.
  • Hank Aaron will receive the 2009 Living Legend award from Louisville Slugger Friday.
  • Louisville-native and Boston Red Sox pitcher Paul Byrd filed for free agency Friday.
  • Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports that Florida Marlins second baseman and Louisville-native Dan Uggla doesn’t want to move positions if he’s traded.
  • 2009 Bats closer Logan Ondrusek surrendered four runs in one-third of an inning for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League Friday.

Wellemeyer files for free agency; More schedule breakdown

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
Todd_Wellemeyer

Todd Wellemeyer; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Another Bluegrass native has filed for free agency. Check out that story and more in some Tuesday morning links:

  • Bellarmine alum Todd Wellemeyer has filed for free agency, and Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports he is unlikely to return to St. Louis following a disappointing season.
  • In a related not, Wellemeyer is on Twitter, but hasn’t tweeted since June. His silence roughly coincides with the decline of his season.
  • WKUSports.com has a breakdown of Western’s fall baseball series.
  • The Lexington Herald Leader looks at UK’s 2010 baseball schedule.
  • The estate of baseball’s first free agent Curt Flood will auction off Flood memorabilia at the Louisville Slugger Museum Saturday.
  • 2009 Bat Chris Hesiey was 0-5 and teammate Yonder Alonso was 1-4 for Peoria of the Arizona Fall League. Louisville reliever Sean Watson pitched 1.2 scoreless innings and closer Logan Ondrusek allowed two unearned runs in one frame.

Paxton misses fall practice; former PLD coach pleads guilty

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
paxton(2)

James Paxton; Photo: UK Athletics

Tuesday was officially the last off day of the baseball season. The World Series returns to action Wednesday. The Yankees could clinch in game six, or the Phillies could force a game seven. Either way the next break from baseball will last until Spring Training.

  • Aaron Fitt of Baseball America checks in with several college teams fall practices including UK. He reports UK ace James Paxton missed most of fall practice after having his knee scoped.
  • Fitt also writes that the Cats could feature three future first-round picks in Paxton, Alex Meyer and freshman Taylor Rogers in their weekend rotation.
  • 2009 Bats Sean Watson and Logan Ondrusek each pitched a scoreless inning for Peoria in the AFL Tuesday. 2009 Legend Daniel Meszaros also pitched a perfect inning
  • Lafayette alum Chaz Roe allowed three runs in two and one-third innings for Scottsdale in the AFL.
  • Valarie Honeycutt Spears of the Lexington Herald Leader reports that former Ky. High School Coach of the Year at PLD Mickey Marshall plead guilty to two theft charges relating to funds he took from the baseball booster club.
  • Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning, also former Hall of Fame pitcher for the Phillies, threw out the first pitch in game five of the World Series.
  • Former UK point guard Rajon Rondo, who is friends with Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins, was also at the game.

Wednesday Afternoon Links: Draft report cards abound

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
Chris Rusin; Photo by UK Athletics

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

Switched up the format today. Links are coming this afternoon. Check out these stories to get you through the last day without baseball before the World Series.

  • Baseball America lists WKU alum Chad Cregar as having the best power in the Marlins’ 2009 draft, and UK alum Chris Wade as being the best defender. (Subscription required)
  • BA lists UK alum Chris Rusin as one candidate to make it to the majors first from the Cubs’ draft class. (subscription required)
  • Here’s the Astros’ Draft Report Card too for good measure. Some of these players will end up in Lexington in 2010. (subscription required)
  • Louisville Bats Examiner Jason Stella looks at Chris Heisey’s AFL performance.
  • Bats’ closer Logan Ondrusek picked up the win for Peoria in the AFL with a scoreless inning. Scott Watson allowed one run in one inning, and former Legend Daniel Meszaros pitched a scoreless inning. Chris Heisey was 1-4 with a run scored.
  • The Astros passed on former Legends’ manager Tim Bogar in hiring Brad Mills for their managerial job.

Monday Links: Winter Ball season heating up

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

wkuWe officially have our World Series matchup: Yankees vs. Phillies. While we wait for the fall classic to kick off Wednesday here are some links to get you through a Monday morning:

  • Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that UK alum Joe Blanton and the Phillies’ retooled rotation are driving Philadelphia this postseason.
  • WKU Sports breaks down the 2010 WKU baseball schedule.
  • EKU alum Neil Sellers is now batting .313 with one home run and nine RBI in 13 games in the Liga Mexicana del Pacifico.
  • Sellers’ Winter League teammate and fellow Phillies’ prospect UofL alum B. J. Rosenberg has surrendered five runs in five innings with two saves. He has four strikeouts and one walk.
  • In Baseball America’s “Scout’s Diary” an anonymous pro scout provides an excellent breakdown of the general Arizona Fall League talent. This AFL season you can see 2009 Bats Chris Heisey, Yonder Alonso, Logan Ondrusek and Sean Watson plus 2009 Legend Daniel Meszaros and Lafayette alum Chaz Roe.