Luis Cruz

End of season awards: Lexington Legends

Minor League Baseball

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 division; Legends, Hot Rods win; Green, Kipnis, Dominguez, Sellers homer; Roe wins

Minor League Baseball

Luis Cruz; BluGrass Baseball photo

Kentucky highlights from the final day of regular season across MiLB:

  • The Louisville Bats clinched their third consecutive International League West Division title with a 6-3 win over Indianapolis. Left fielder Todd Frazier and center fielder Dave Sappelt each homered for Louisville.
  • Lexington Legends left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz was perfect through five innings and the Lexington bullpen held off a late rally to post a 6-5 win over Rome in its final game.  Right fielder Renzo Tello was 3-3 with two doubles and three runs scored.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods finished the second half at 30-40 with a 7-1 win over Great Lakes in its final game. Left fielder Dustin Biell was 4-5 with a home run, double, RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former UK infielder Andy Green homered for the second consecutive game and sixth time this season for AAA Buffalo.
  • One-time UK outfielder Jason Kipnis was 3-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez homered for the second consecutive game and 21st time this season for low A Augusta. Dominguez topped the 100-RBI plateau for the year.
  • Former UofL infielder Logan Johnson was 4-4 with a double, home run, three RBI and three runs scored for high A Winston-Salem.
  • Former EKU infielder Neil Sellers slugged his seventh home run of the season for AAA Lehigh Valley.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-5 with three doubles, three RBI and a run scored for High Desert and finished the season with a .336 batting average, tops among Kentucky minor leaguers.
  • Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe earned his ninth win of the season after surrendering three runs in six innings for AAA Colorado Springs.

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, 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: Hot Rods win; Legends split with W.V.; Lee goes deep twice; Rowland, Bynum, Oliver homer

Minor League Baseball

Richie Rowland; Photo: Campbellsville University

While draftees may have garnered most of the headlines Monday, current minor leaguers were also in action. Check out some highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB play:

  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods snapped a five-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over Great Lakes. Left-handed reliever Aaron Dott earned the win after holding the Loon scoreless on three hits in four innings.
  • In the completion of a previously suspended game, the Lexington Legends mustered just five hits in a 5-3 loss to West Virginia. Right-handed reliever Wander Alvino took the loss after surrendering two unearned runs in three and two-third innings.
  • In game two the Legends used seven innings of one run ball from left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz for a 7-1 win over the Power. Left fielder Jacob Goebbert was 2-3 with four RBI and a run scored.
  • The Louisville Bats were off.
  • Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee was 3-5 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored for rookie-level Bristol.
  • Former Campbellsville catcher and 2010 Diamondbacks’ NDFA Richie Rowland slugged his fifth home run of the season for rookie-level Missoula.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum slugged his 12th home run of the season for AAA Syracuse.
  • Lexington native and 2010 Nationals draftee Tyler Oliver was 2-3 with a double, home run, five RBI and two runs scored for the rookie-level GCL Nationals.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his first win for AA Tacoma and improved to 5-2 on the season with two innings of relief.
  • Trinity High School alum Tyler Kuhn was 3-6 with a run scored and two walks in a double header for AA Birmingham.

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, Hot Rods all win; Ross wins third straight; Newton, Shaffer each drive in four

Minor League Baseball

Jordan Newton; Photo by MWLguide via Flickr

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Louisville Bats right-handed pitcher Matt Maloney earned his third consecutive win in three starts after pitching seven shutout innings in Louisville’s 2-0 win over Charlotte. Maloney surrendered just two hits and struck out five batters while walking none.
  • Lexington Legends left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz struck out ten batters and surrendered just one run in seven and two-third innings to lead the Legends to a 4-1 win over Delmarva. Left fielder Jacob Goebbert was 2-4 with two doubles and three RBI in the win.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods finished the perfect night for Kentucky minor league teams with a 6-3 win over Dayton. Left fielder Cody Rogers and designated hitter Bennett Davis both homered for the Hot Rods.
  • LCA alum Robbie Ross picked up his third consecutive win for high A Baskersfield after surrendering two runs on three hits in seven innings. Ross struck out five and walked two.
  • Boyle County native and 2010 Tigers draftee Patrick Cooper was promoted to low A West Michigan where he took a no decision in his first start after surrendering one run in five innings.
  • Former UofL infielder Justin McClanahan slugged his third home run of the season for high A Dunedin.
  • Former WKU catcher Jordan Newton was 3-6 with four RBI for high A Bradenton.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-5 with a double and four RBI for high A High Desert.
  • Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee extended his hitting streak to 11 games for rookie-level Bristol.
  • Paducah native and Shawn Roof was promoted to AAA Toledo where he went 2-4 in his debut.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=571576

MiLB Roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Carroll, Whiting have big nights; Cooper, Sullivan win

Minor League Baseball

Sawyer Carroll; Photo: UK Athletics

A little late today, but here are highlights from Friday MiLB action:

  • Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman pick up his sixth win of the season for the Louisville Bats in the team’s 7-3 victory over Lehigh Valley. Chapman struck out all four batters he faced. Gary Matthews Jr. and Juan Francisco each homered for the Bats.
  • The Lexington Legends couldn’t muster any more offense than a single second inning run in their 3-1 loss to Hickory. Left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz took the loss despite surrendering just three runs in six and two-third innings.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods dropped a 6-3 decision to Burlington. First baseman Ryan Wiegand was 2-3 with a double and two RBI.
  • Danville native Patrick Cooper earned his second professional win after surrendering just one run in six innings. Cooper struck out seven and walked just three.
  • Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 3-5 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
  • Former UofL outfielder Boomer Whiting was 3-5 with a double, two RBI, one run scored and a stolen base for AAA Syracuse.
  • Former WKU outfielder Chad Cregar slugged his tenth home run of the season for low A Greensboro.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones surrendered just one unearned run in five innings for high A Winston-Salem but still took a no decision.
  • Former Campbellsville University outfielder Chris Curley slugger his first home run of the season for low A Rome.
  • Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe lost his tenth game of the season for AAA Colorado Springs after surrendering six runs in five innings.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb pitched four shutout innings for short-season Auburn but didn’t qualify for the win.
  • Paducah native and 2010 draftee Jonathan Roof was promoted to low A Hickory where he went 1-4 in his debut.
  • Hawesville native and 2010 draftee Michael Mosby was reassigned to the rookie-level GCL Orioles where he went 2-4 in his debut.
  • Louisville native Richard Sullivan earned his third win of the season for AA Mississippi with three and one-third scoreless innings of relief.
  • Lexington native and 2010 draftee Tyler Oliver slugged his first professional home run for the rookie-level GCL Nationals.

MiLB Roundup: Volquez excels in rehab start for Bats; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Bertram, Duvall, McClanahan homer

Minor League Baseball

Edison Volquez; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Friday highlights from Kentucky MiLB baseball:

  • Cincinnati Reds rehabbing starting pitcher Edison Volquez allowed just one hit in seven innings in his third start for the Louisville Bats, who defeated the Toledo Mud Hens 3-0. Designate hitter Drew Sutton tallied two hits in the game.
  • Left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz earned his fourth win of the season for the Lexington Legends who defeated the West Virginia Power 4-1. Second baseman Jose Altuve and left fielder Jacob Goebbert each homered for the Legends.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods mustered just three hits in a 6-0 shutout loss to the Dayton Dragons. Right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates took the loss despite allowing just one run in five innings.
  • Former UK infielder Michael Bertram launched his tenth home run of the season for AA Erie.
  • Former UofL infielder Adam Duvall slugged his second professional home run for short-season Salem-Keizer.
  • Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a no decision for low A Cane County after allowing just two runs in five and two-third innings.
  • Former UofL second baseman Justin McClanahan was 2-5 with a home run and three RBI for high A Dunedin.
  • Former Morehead St. shortstop Drew Lee was 3-4 with a double for rookie-level Bristol.

Lexington Legends June Awards

Minor League Baseball

In the next June awards post we’ll look at the Lexington Legends:

Hitter of the month: 1B Aaron Bray

  • Stats: 25-64 (.391), 16 RBI, 10 R
  • Honorable Mention: Jacob Goebbert, Miguel Arrendell, Jose Altuve, J. D. Martinez

Pitcher of the month: RHP Zachary Grimmett

  • Stats: 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 7 G, 28 SO/5 BB, 20 IP
  • Honorable Mention: Luis Cruz, Wander Alvino, Jose Trinidad, Robert Donovan