Marty Popham

Cowgill, Ross win April Ky MiLB awards

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

In the final minor league April awards post we’ll look at the best hitting and pitching performances from Kentucky alumni in MiLB:

Hitter of the month: OF Collin Cowgill

  • Stats: .387 (29-75), 4 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 5 SB
  • Honorable Mention: John Shelby, Ryan Strieby, Sawyer Carroll, Chris Dominguez, Jake Shaffer, Jon Townsend, Tyler Kuhn
Pitcher of the month: LHP Robbie Ross
  • Stats: 2-1, 2.61 ERA, 17 SO/8 BB, 20.2 IP
  • Honorable Mention: Andrew Albers, Logan Darnell, B. J. Rosenberg, Cory Wade, Marty Popham, Jason Chowning

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods, Legends all lose; Shaffer, Duvall homer; Six Ky. alumni have three hits on Wed.

Minor League Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats tied its game versus Columbus with a single run in the ninth inning, but Columbus scored a run in the bottom of the frame to send the Bats to a 4-3 loss. Two-time National League All-Star Dontrelle Willis surrendered one run on six hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking two in a no decision.
  • Dayton used a four-run fourth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 4-1 loss. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich tallied the Hot Rods’ only RBI, and left-handed pitcher Braulio Lara took the loss after surrendering three runs on two hits in three and one-third innings.
  • The Lexington Legends jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but surrendered four runs in the fifth inning to lose the lead in a 5-4 loss to Savannah. Catcher Roberto Pen was 2-2 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-6 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored for AA Jackson.
  • Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe surrendered two runs on four hits in six innings while striking out two batters and walking four for AAA Tacoma.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 3-5 with two RBI for AAA Reno.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall slugged his third home run of the season and drove in three runs for low A Augusta.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 3-5 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored.
  • One-time UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson lost his no hitter in the eighth inning but still earned a win after surrendering three runs on four hits in eight and one-third innings while striking out five batters and walking three.
  • Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham struck out three batters in four hitless innings in a start for high A Kinston.
  • Paducah native Jonathan Roof was 3-4 with one run scored for low A Hickory.
  • Trinity High School alum Tyler Kuhn was 3-5 with one double, one triple and two runs scored for AA Birmingham.

MiLB roundup: Bats sweep DH; Hot Rods split DH; Legends lose; Duvall homers; Cox, Revere have three hits

Minor League Baseball

Ben Revere; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats swept a double-header versus Columbus with a 4-2 win in game one and a 5-4 win in game two. Right fielder Jeremy Hermida was 3-3 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored in game one, and second baseman Chris Valaikia was 3-4 with two RBI in game two.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods split a double-header versus Fort Wayne with a 4-0 loss in game one and a 1-0 win in game two. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser surrendered one run on three hits in five innings while striking out seven batters and walking two in his start in game one but took a loss. Three Hot Rods pitcher surrendered just four hits in game two, and shortstop Derek Dietrich plated the only run with a solo home run.
  • The Lexington Legends held 2010 No. 1 pick Bryce Harper hitless but still dropped a 5-1 loss to Hagerstown. Center fielder Daniel Adamson was 3-4 with one double, one triple and one run scored, and Eastern High School alum Jason Chowning pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Legends.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-5 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored for low A Augusta.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 3-4 with one run scored and one stolen base for AAA Rochester.
  • Louisville native Zack Cox was 3-5 with one RBI for high A Palm Beach.
  • LCA alum Robbie Ross surrendered two hits in four scoreless innings while striking out five batters and walking two in a start for high A Myrtle Beach.
  • Former Ky. Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade posted his third scoreless two-inning appearance of the season and struck out three batters for AAA Durham.
  • Louisville native and former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham struck out six batters in three and one-third scoreless innings for AA Kinston.

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: Legends win; Bats, Hot Rods lose; Jones, Casey, Popham earn wins; Gaynor, Cowgill, Shelby homer

Minor League Baseball

Chris Dominguez; UofL Photo

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats fell out of first place in the International League West Division after a 4-1 loss to Toledo. Right fielder Danny Dorn homered for Louisville.
  • Former UK infielder Michael Bertram homered for Toledo in the game.
  • The Lexington Legends closed out August with back-t0-back 10-run games in a 10-7 win over Hagerstown. Designate hitter Ben Heath slugged his fourth home run for Lexington and tenth home run of the season.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods finished their 2010 home schedule with a 13-9 loss to Fort Wayne. Right fielder Burt Reynolds hit a grand slam in his only at-bat for the Hot Rods.
  • Former UofL infielder Chris Dominguez was 4-4 with a double, triple and four RBI for low A Augusta.
  • Former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 4-5 with a home run, double, three RBI and two runs scored for low A West Michigan.
  • Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill slugged his 16th home run of the season for AA Mobile.
  • Former UK outfielder John Shelby slugged his tenth home run of the season for AA Birmingham.
  • Former NKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox draftee Jarrett Casey earned his first professional win after pitching six shutout innings in a start for rookie-level Bristol.
  • Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones improved to 11-5 on the season after pitching seven shutout innings in a start for high A Winston-Salem.
  • Former Murray St. first baseman and 2010 Padres draftee Wes Cunningham slugged his fifth home run for short-season Eugene.
  • Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham improved to 7-6 on the season after surrendering just two unearned runs in six innings for high A Kinston.
  • LCA alum Robbie Ross took a loss despite surrendering just two runs in six innings for high A Bakersfield.
  • Louisville native Seth Bynum was 3-4 with a double and run scored for AAA Syracuse.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb was promoted to low A Lansing where he debuted with a loss after surrendering six runs, only two of which were earned, in five innings.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods lose; Cox debuts with 4-hit game; Brady homers; Wiley tallies 4 hits

Uncategorized

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker couldn’t earn a victory in his return to the Louisville Bats, who suffered a 6-2 loss to Indianapolis. Third baseman Juan Francisco and left fielder Todd Frazier each homered in the game.
  • The Lexington Legends surrendered over 10 runs in a game for the second time this month in a 13-1 loss to Kannapolis. Center fielder Grant Hogue was 2-3 for Lexington.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods opened their final homestand of the season with a 3-1 loss to Lake County. Center fielder Dustin Bell homered for Bowling Green.
  • PRP alum and 2010 Cardinals first-round pick Zack Cox made his professional debut with a 4-5 performance for the rookie-level GCL Cardinals.
  • One-time UK outfielder Jason Kipnis was 3-5 with a double and two runs scored for AA Akron.
  • Former UK outfielder and 2010 Braves NDFA Keenan Wiley was 4-5 with a double and run scored for rookie-level Danville.
  • Former WKU left-handed pitcher and 2010 Twins draftee Bart Carter earned his second win of the season with four scoreless innings of relief for the rookie-level GCL Twins.
  • Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham posted a quality start for high A Kinston but took a no decision after surrendering three runs in six innings.
  • Former Bellarmine infielder and 2010 Mariners draftee Patrick Brady slugged his first professional home run for the rookie-level AZL Mariners.
  • Hawesville native and 2010 Orioles draftee Michael Mosby was 3-4 for the rookie-level GCL Orioles.

MiLB Roundup: Bats win; Legends lose; Adcock, Little, Popham get wins; Duvall homers; Roe loses again

Minor League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Late highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats opened their three-game series with Syracuse with an 8-5 win. First baseman Yonder Alonso was 3-5 with three RBI and two runs scored.
  • Lexington Legends right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue surrendered two runs in five innings but still took the loss in the Legends’ 5-0 loss to Greenville. Bushue struck out five and walked three.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods were off.
  • Central Hardin alum Nathan Adcock improved to 10-7 on the season after surrendering one run in seven innings for high A Bradenton.
  • Former UK right-handed pitcher and 2010 Tigers draftee Matt Little was promoted to high A Lakeland where he earned the win in his debut.
  • Former UK outfielder and 2010 Braves NDFA Keenan Wiley was 3-4 with a RBI and run scored for rookie-level Danville.
  • Former UofL infielder and 2010 Giants draftee Adam Duvall slugged his fifth home run of the season and drove in three runs for short-season Salem-Keizer.
  • Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham improved to 6-6 on the season after surrendering three runs in five innings in a start for high A Kinston.
  • Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe took a loss for AAA Colorado Springs after surrendering five runs in six innings.

MiLB Roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Arnold homers twice; Nidiffer, Sellers also go deep

Minor League Baseball

Chad Reineke; Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke led the Louisville Bats to a 5-2 win over Norfolk. Reineke surrendered just four hits and struck out four in six innings to move to 8-7 on the season.
  • Delmarva scored eight runs over the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to blow open the game en route to a 9-1 win over the Lexington Legends. Right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero fell to 6-6 on the season despite surrendering just three runs on three hits in six innings.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning but surrendered three runs in the bottom half of the inning to suffer a 6-5 loss to Fort Wayne. Shortstop Tyler Bortnick slugged his seventh home run of the season.
  • Former UofL catcher and 2010 Giants draftee Jeff Arnold was 3-4 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored for short-season Salem-Keizer.
  • Former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer homered for the second straight game and for the tenth time this season for rookie-level Greeneville.
  • Former UofL first baseman and 2010 Rangers draftee Andrew Clark tallied three hits and scored twice for short-season Spokane.
  • Former WKU infielder and 2010 Phillies draftee Matt Payton was 3-5 with a run scored for the rookie-level GCL Phillies.
  • Former EKU infielder Neil Sellers slugged his fourth home run of the season for AAA Lehigh Valley.
  • Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade earned his third win of the season for AAA Albuquerque.
  • Former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham earned his fifth win for high A Kinston after striking out 10 in five scoreless innings.
  • Boyd County native and 2010 Royals NDFA Tyler Gatrell earned his ninth save of the season for the rookie-level AZL Royals.