Mike Foltynewicz

MiLB roundup: Hot Rods win; Bats, Legends lose; Jake Shaffer, Josh Richmond homer; Chaz Roe takes a loss

Minor League Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Flickr by mwlguide

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods jumped out to an early lead and added three insurance runs in the seventh inning in a 6-3 win over Lake County. Catcher Lucas Bailey was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored.
  • The Louisville Bats tallied just five hits in a 4-0 loss to Buffalo. Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in six innings while striking out one batter and walking two.
  • Left-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz fell to 0-5 on the season after a 5-2 loss to Hagerstown. Foltynewicz surrendered three runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking two.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-4 with one home run, four RBIs and one run scored for AA Jackson.
  • Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with one home run, three RBIs and one run scored for low A Hickory.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers took a no decision in his first start of the season for high A Fort Meyers after surrendering three runs on six hits in four innings while striking out two batters and walking two.
  • Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 2-5 with two doubles, one walk and one run scored for AAA Toledo.
  • Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez was 2-6 with two runs scored for high A San Jose.
  • St. Mary’s alum Shawn Roof was 2-3 with one walk and one RBI for low AA Hickory.
  • Former UofL left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, who transferred to Texas A&M before the draft, took a no decision after surrendering three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out two batters while walking one.
  • Lexington native Chaz Roe took a loss after surrendering five runs on nine hits in six innings while striking out eight batters and walking two.

Mesoraco headlines top Kentucky MiLB team prospects

Minor League Baseball

Throughout the minor league season BluGrass Baseball maintains a list of the top 10 prospects on the three Kentucky minor league teams and the top 10 prospects among Kentucky alumni. With the 2011 season underway it is time to update the top 10 prospects list for the three minor league teams. Check out the list below, remembering that the top prospect list is always available on the “Top Prospects” page on the left sidebar here.

  1. C Devin Mesoraco — Louisville Bats
  2. 1B Yonder Alonso — Louisville Bats
  3. 2B Delino Deshields Jr. — Lexington Legends
  4. RHP Mike Foltynewicz — Lexington Legends
  5. LHP Enny Romero — Bowling Green Hot Rods
  6. SS Zach Cozart — Louisville Bats
  7. 3B/LF Todd Frazier — Louisville Bats
  8. RHP Tanner Bushue — Lexington Legends
  9. LHP Braulio Lara — Bowling Green Hot Rods
  10. OF Dave Sappelt — Louisville Bats

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Hot Rods lose; Legends split DH; Shelby has three hits; Ray homers; Wiley, Shaffer streaking

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats scored five runs in the first inning and added some late insurance in a 10-4 win over Indianapolis. One-time Madisonville resident Matt Klinker earned the win after surrendering three runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out two batters and walking one. Center fielder Dave Sappelt was 3-5 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods‘ late rally fell just short in a 3-2 loss to Fort Wayne. Right-handed pitcher Eliazer Suero surrendered two hits in five scoreless innings of relief while striking out two batters and walking none.
  • The Lexington Legends split a double-header with Hagerstown with a 1-0 loss in game one and a 6-4 win in game two. In game one right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz took the loss despite surrendering just one run on five hits in six innings while striking out three batters and walking one. In game two first baseman Tyler Burnett was 2-2 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Hagerstown right fielder Bryce Harper, the 2010 No. 1 pick, slugged his first professional home run in game two.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 3-5 with one RBI and two runs scored for AA Montgomery.
  • Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley extended his hitting streak to five games for low A Rome with a 2-4, one double, one walk and two runs scored performance.
  • Former UK first baseman Lance Ray slugged his first home run and scored three times for low A Beloit.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended hits hitting streak to five games with a double for AA Jackson.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin took a no decision despite surrendering six runs on nine hits in four innings in a start for AA Tennessee. Rusin struck out five batters and walked one.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb struggled in his season debut for low A Lansing and took a loss after surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in three innings.

Legends turn to Foltynewicz on Opening Day; Mesoraco ready for another season with Bats; Riddle impresses

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader profiles the 2011 Lexington Legends Opening Day roster.
  • Maloney reports the Legends will turn to 19-year-old right-handed pitcher Mike Foltynewicz for the Opening Day start tonight.
  • Maloney has also posted capsules about each of the Legends on his blog.
  • Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal profiles Louisville Bats catcher Devin Mesoraco, who he writes might be the next MLB catcher to play for the Bats.
  • Brian Rickerd of The State-Journal profiles Western Hills alum and University of Kentucky freshman outfielder and second baseman J. T. Riddle, who has so far exceeded expectations during his first collegiate season.
  • Nick Baumgardner of The Daily News in Bowling Green reports the Western Kentucky University offense came alive for the second consecutive year while playing at Bowling Green Ballpark, this time versus the University of Louisville.
http://markmaloney.bloginky.com/2011/04/06/meet-the-2011-lexington-legends/#storylink=rss

Chowning, three first rounders highlight Legends 2011 roster

Minor League Baseball

The Lexington Legends have released the team’s Opening Day roster, which is highlighted by three former first-round picks and an Eastern High School alum. Louisville native Jason Chowning will become the second Kentucky native to play for the team when the season begins, joining Lexington Legends Hall of Famer Josh Anderson. Check out the full roster below with each player’s hometown and acquisition info listed.

Pitchers

  • RHP Jason Chowning — Louisville, Ky. — 28th round (2010)
  • RHP Ruben Alaniz — La Grulla, Tex. — NDFA (2008)
  • RHP Tanner Bushue — Kinmundy, Ill. — 2nd round (2009)
  • RHP Jorge DeLeon — La Cega Azua, DR — FA (2006)
  • LHP Brad Dydalewicz — Spicewood, Tex. — 8th round (2008)
  • RHP Mike Foltynewicz — Minooka, Ill. — 1st round (2010)
  • LHP Gabriel Garcia — Charallave, VZ — FA (2007)
  • RHP Murilo Gouvea — Sau Paulo, Brazil — FA (2010)
  • RHP David Martinez — Cumana, VZ — FA (2005)
  • RHP Juan Minaya — Maimon, DR — FA (2008)
  • RHP Carlos Quevedo — Valencia, VZ — FA (2006)
  • LHP Alexander Sogard — Austin, Tex. — 26th round (2010)
  • RHP Brian Streilein — Point Pleasant, N. J. — 37th round (2010)

Catchers

  • Roberto Pena — Caguas, PR — 7th round (2010)
  • Chris Wallace — Cypress, Tex. — 16th round (2010)

Infielders

  • Telvin Nash — Belleview, Fla. — 3rd round (2010)
  • Jhonny Medrano — Tucupita, VZ — FA (2005)
  • Delino Deshields Jr. — Ocala, Fla. — 1st round (2010)
  • Enrique Hernandez — Toa Baja, PR — 6th round (2009)
  • Jiovanni Mier — Las Vegas, Nev. — 1st round (2009)
  • Mike Kvasnicka — Lakeville, Minn. — 1st supplemental round (2010)
  • Tyler Burnett — Murfreesboro, Tenn. — 17th round (2010)
  • Ben Orloff — Simi Valley, Cal. — 9th round (2009)

Outfielders

  • Adam Bailey — Monument, Colo. — 23rd round (2010)
  • Daniel Adamson — Spring, Ala. — 20th round (2010)
  • Bryce Lane — Phoenix City, Ala. — 41st round (2010)

Legends among Astros’ top prospects; Webb wants to throw in game situation; Finwood, players shave heads for charity

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jimmy Paredes; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com ranks 2010 Lexington Legends shortstop Jiovanni Mier, outfielder J. D. Martinez, right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue and second baseman Jimmy Paredes among the top 10 prospects in the Astros’ organization. Likely 2011 Legends Delino DeShields Jr., Mike Foltynewicz and Austin Wates also are included on the list.
  • Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb feels he is ready to pitch in a game situation, but the Rangers have not decided what his next step will be.
  • David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez will start the season with a left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, sharing the closer role with right-handed pitcher Craig Kimbrel.
  • Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun reports Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch has been a key mentor for some of the Blue Jays young pitchers this spring.
  • Nick Baumgardner of the Bowling Green Daily News reports Western Kentucky University head coach Chris Finwood and 11 player shaved their heads following their Friday win versus Middle Tennessee to benefit the St. Baldrick’s Foundation that supports the fight against childhood cancer.

Lexington Legends among Astros top prospects; Dan McDonnell highlights fall practice standouts

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jordan Lyles; Photo: Lexington Legends

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • John Manuel of Baseball America has published the magazine’s top 10 Houston Astros’ prospect list with several current, former and future Legends included in the rankings. The list is headlined by 2009 Legend Jordan Lyles, who is followed by 2010 Legends Jiovanni Mier (No. 5), J. D. Martinez (No. 6), Jimmy Paredes (No. 7) and Tanner Bushue (No. 8). Three players on the list, Delino Deshields Jr. (No. 2), Mike Foltynewicz (No. 4) and Austin Wates (No. 9), could open 2011 in Lexington.
  • University of Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell recently completed an interview with College Baseball Daily in which he touches on a number of topics including newcomer standouts from fall practice.
  • The University of Illinois has announced it will play a three-game series at Western Kentucky University on March 11-13 to replace its scheduled appearance in the Metrodome Tournament. The Metrodome suffered a roof collapse on Dec. 12 an officials have announced the facility will not be ready to host previously scheduled college baseball games this spring.
  • UofL assistant coach Xan Barksdale will speak at the American Baseball Coaches Association Convention this weekend about preparing catchers for success.
  • Nick Evans of the Louisville Bats media relations department notes the Cincinnati Reds Caravan will stop at Louisville Slugger Field on Jan. 27.