New York-Penn League

Webb among NYPL top prospects; Webb pitches in instructional league; Boyle Co. prep commits to Xavier

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Aaron Fitt of Baseball America ranks the top 20 prospects in the New York-Penn League and includes Paducah native Daniel Webb at No. 18 on the list.
  • Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb was encouraged after his inning of instructional-league work despite decreased velocity.
  • Mike Marsee of the Danville Advocate-Messenger reports Boyle County High School pitcher-infielder Jacob Bodner has committed to Xavier University over Western Kentucky University.
  • The Atlanta Braves decreased their magic number to three with a 5-1 win over Florida behind a three-run home run from former Lexington Legends infielder Brooks Conrad.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com writes the Braves are poised to make the playoffs thanks in part to Conrad and the rest of the team’s bench.
  • Mike Fields of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports Lexington Catholic High School has hired former infielder and pitcher Taylor Brooks as its new baseball coach.

Magnuson named to Team Canada roster; Del Rosario traded to Astros; Nidiffer, Valley Cats win NYPL title

Minor League Baseball

Trystan Magnuson; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

MiLB playoff highlights and latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • John Manuel of Baseball America reports former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson was selected to the Team Canada roster for the 2010 Pan Am Qualifier in San Juan. Former Lexington Legend first baseman Jimmy Van Ostrand was also selected to the roster.
  • Former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer was 0-3, but Tri-City clinched the New York-Penn League championship with a 5-1 win over Brooklyn.
  • Over the weekend, LCA alum Robbie Ross took the loss after surrendering seven runs in three innings for AA Frisco as the team was eliminated from the Texas League playoffs.
  • Larry Stone of The Seattle Times reports former Mariners director of pro scouting Carmen Fusco was fire at least in part for his role in the controversial acquisition of former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke. The Mariners’ upper management claim they didn’t know of Lueke’s past legal trouble before acquiring the reliever.
  • The Houston Astros acquired Louisville Bats right-handed pitcher Enerio Del Rosario from the Cincinnati Reds for cash. Del Rosario was designated for assignment by the Reds Monday.

UK gets pair of commitments; Holland, Wunderlich are NYPL All-stars; Bottoms to play professionally in Australia

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Minor League Baseball

A college-heavy group of links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Mike Fields of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports Louisville Eastern High School senior pitcher/infielder Spencer Drake has committed to the University of Kentucky.
  • Fields also reports former Paintsville High School standout Shane Grimm, who was 7-0 for Walters State Junior College in 2010 will sign with UK in November as part of the incoming class for 2012.
  • Brent Ingram of the UK Media Relations department finishes his list of the 20 most memorable UK games since 2006, headlined by the 2006 NCAA regional tournament.
  • UK rising senior shortstop Taylor Black also explained his decision to return to school in a feature for the UK website.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher Neil Holland and infielder Phil Wunderlich were named all-stars in the New York-Penn League.
  • Former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher and first baseman Michael Bottoms will be one of two non-Australians playing for the Kensington Cardinals of the South Australian Baseball League beginning in October.
  • Michael Grant of the Courier-Journal reports Louisville Cincinnati Reds fans can once again listen to the Reds on the radio after WNDA-1570 in Clarksville and WTSZ-1600 in Eminence agreed to broadcast games for the remainder of the season.

Jason Kipnis Among NY-Penn League Top Prospects

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball
Jason Kipnis; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Jason Kipnis; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Baseball America named former UK outfielder Jason Kipnis the fifth best prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League Tuesday. Kipnis began his career at UK. After redshirting, Kipnis got off to a torrid start his freshman year before former UK head coach John Cohen dismissed him from the team for a violation of team rules. Kipnis transferred to Arizona State where he became a first-day draft prospect before the Indians drafted him in the second round this season

BA writes of Kipnis: “The undersized Kipnis doesn’t fit a typical profile, but he laces hard line drives to all fields and has average power potential in his lefthanded stroke. He has a patient, mature approach at the plate and is a savvy baserunner with slightly above-average speed.” They project Kipnis to move to left-field in pro ball where he’ll have to hit regularly to stay long-term. (Read more)