Perfect Game USA

Morehead St. loses to Indiana; Campbellsville coach gets 900th win; Friedrich impresses Rockies’ executive

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Christian Friedrich; Photo by Matt McGee via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Morehead State University dropped a 5-1 decision to Indiana in the state’s only college baseball game on Wednesday. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider took the loss after surrendering two runs on four hits in four innings while striking out six batters and walking none. The Eagles tallied just four hits in the game, and junior catcher Taylor Davis scored the team’s only home run. (Box Score)
  • Jack Etkin, writing for Baseball America, reports former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich made a major impression on the Colorado Rockies’ management with six shutout innings versus the big-league team in a scrimmage to end Spring Training. (Subscription required)
  • Campbellsville University head coach Beauford Sanders earned his 900th career win with the Tigers’ 4-3 win over Shawnee State Monday.
  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA ranks Davis the No. 20 college catcher prospect. He ranks Western Kentucky University senior Matt Rice the No. 13 college catcher by performance and Davis the No. 20 catcher by performance. (Subscription required)
  • Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb threw to live hitters on Wednesday, two days ahead of schedule.
  • Nick Baumgardner of The Daily News in Bowling Green reports WKU coach Chris Finwood told his team they could make some new fans before the large crowd at Bowling Green Ballpark if they played well against the University of Kentucky on Tuesday.

Wellemeyer close to throwing again; Beechwood pitcher excels on and off the field; Adams excels as two-sport athlete

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

Todd Wellemeyer; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, who was not assigned to a minor league team to start the season, is still rehabbing from a hip injury suffered during Spring Training. Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Rogers he expects Wellemeyer to start throwing soon.
  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA has both the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University as No. 3 seeds in his latest NCAA field of 64 projection.
  • Marc Hardin, writing for the Cincinnati Enquirer, profiles Beechwood High School senior pitcher Colin Johnson, who helped Beechwood win 12 of its first 14 games and may play baseball at MIT next year.
  • Ethan Levine of the Kentucky Kernel profiles University of Kentucky sophomore outfielder Brian Adams, who is currently going through spring practice as a wide receiver on the football team in addition to manning center field in most games for the baseball team.
  • Brad Stephens of the College Heights Herald recaps WKU’s 3-2 win over Murray State University, noting WKU redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis said after a poor start to 2011 he decided his season was going to start over last night.
  • Nick Baumgardner of The Daily News reports WKU head coach Chris Finwood said he was going to try and pitch Davis in low-pressure situations out of the bullpen in the near future.

Justin Hageman, Matt Harris earn conference pitcher of week honors; Corey Hart closer to returning to Brewers

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Matt Harris; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Western Kentucky University freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman was named the Sun Belt Conference pitcher of the week.
  • Eastern Kentucky University junior right-handed pitcher Matt Harris was named the Ohio Valley Conference co-pitcher of the week.
  • Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart has turned a corner in his rehab from an oblique injury and will take batting practice this week with hopes of returning in time for the Brewers’ next homestand on April 22.
  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA includes WKU among the weekend winners in college baseball and the University of Kentucky among the weekend losers.
  • Steve Dilbeck of The Los Angeles Times reports PLD alum A. J. Ellis was packing his bags after the Dodgers planned to send him to AAA to make room for starting pitcher John Ely on the roster but was saved by a last-minute injury to the team’s other backup catcher Hector Giminez.
  • The University of Louisville dropped to No. 25 in the latest NCBWA top 30 poll, and WKU was included in the “others receiving votes” category.
  • Don’t forget that 2010 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper will be playing in Lexington this weekend versus the Lexington Legends from Monday to Thursday.

Jacob Rhodes named OVC player of week; Alex Meyer projected as first-round pick; Corey Hart frustrated by injury

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Corey Hart; Photo by Steve Paluch via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Murray State University junior catcher Jacob Rhodes was named the Ohio Valley Conference player of the week. Rhodes was also the BluGrass Baseball player of the week.
  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among his 25 teams to watch outside the PG top 25.
  • David Rawnsley of Perfect Game USA has posted his latest mock draft and has the Tampa Bay Rays taking University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer with pick No. 32.
  • Tom Haudicourt and Todd Rosiak of the Journal Sentinel reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart still has no timetable to start a minor league rehab assignment.
  • Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb was unhappy with his control during a live batting practice session on Monday.
  • Josh Jackson of MLB.com lists one-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis and Louisville Bats catcher Devin Mesoraco among the prospects to watch in the International League early in the season.
  • Greg Johns of MLB.com reports Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke was rattled by base runner Coco Crisp during his MLB debut.
  • Matt Pignataro of 7 Train to Shea has posted a Q&A with Lexington native and Rangers prospect Robbie Ross.
  • Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com has an excellent column about Lexington native Austin Kearns and his decision to return to Cleveland in part because of the treatment his autistic son could receive at the Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital for Autism.

Kentucky collegians among top draft prospects; Wellemeyer hopes to return this week; Cox to start 2011 at high A

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Alex Meyer; UK Athletics photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Allan Simpson of Perfect Game USA ranks University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, University of Louisville junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych, Lexington Catholic alum Nick Maronde, UK sophomore outfielder Brian Adams and Western Kentucky University junior outfielder Kes Carter among the top 100 college draft prospects regardless of class. (Subscription required)
  • Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer had a cortisone shot for his ailing hip on Sunday and hopes to get back on the mound for the Cubs this week.
  • The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart may return from an oblique injury next week but is still questionable to open the season with the Brewers.
  • Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun reports Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, has abandoned an offseason mechanics tweak to his swing after a poor offensive spring.
  • Kary Booher of the News-Leader reports Louisville native Zack Cox will start the season with high A Palm Beach.

Ben Revere optioned to AAA; Hart may start season on DL

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Ben Revere; Photo by Pat Neshek

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • The Minnesota Twins optioned Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere to AAA Rochester.
  • Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirms what we’ve expected, that Bowling Green native Corey Hart is expected to start the season on the disabled list.
  • In his breakdown of the Florida and LSU game, Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA notes Lexington Catholic alum Nick Maronde’s impressive relief appearance on Saturday. (Subscription required)
  • Rogers also touched on Maronde and University of Louisville redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung in his 27 Takes column centered on Saturday NCAA baseball.

Strieby, Jones, Kipnis cut from respective MLB camps; Hageman gives WKU offensive boost; Cook injured again

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • The Detroit Tigers have optioned former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby to AAA Toledo.
  • The Chicago White Sox have optioned Covington native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones to AA Birmingham.
  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA breaks down 25 teams outside of the PGSU top 25, noting the University of Louisville‘s poor offensive performance is the only thing keeping it out of the rankings. (Subscription required)
  • Nick Baumgardner of the Bowling Green Daily News reports Western Kentucky University received an unlikely offensive spark on Sunday from freshman Justin Hageman, who received his first at-bats of 2011 after spending the first three weeks of the season solely on the mound.
  • Jordan Bastain of MLB.com reports one-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis was re-assigned to minor league camp by the Cleveland Indians.
  • The bad injury news continues for Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, as Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports Cook will miss a few weeks after breaking his ring finger on his throwing hand when he accidentally slammed a door on it on Friday.
  • MLB.com columnist Mike Bauman writes Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb‘s return from injury has become a question of “when” not “if” following his strong throwing session over the weekend.

UofL, UK pitching performances impress; Paxton sent to minor league camp; Kipnis among top Indians prospects

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Todd Wellemeyer; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA breaks down the University of Louisville‘s Friday win versus Pepperdine, noting he was impressed by sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch, freshman first baseman Ryan Seiz and senior catcher J. J. Ethel. (Subscription required)
  • Rogers also highlights University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer and UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung in his 27 takes from Saturday college baseball action.
  • Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock may be the favorite for the Royals’ long-reliever spot in the bullpen since he has pitched well this spring and would have to be offered back to the Pirates as a Rule 5 pick if he doesn’t make the MLB roster.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald in Chicago profiles Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer, who says he has been working on a new mental approach to pitching during the offseason.
  • Larry Stone of The Seattle Times reports the Mariners have re-assigned former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton to minor league camp.
  • Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com ranks one-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis the No. 3 prospect in the Cleveland Indians’ organization.
  • Tyler Kepner of The New York Times profiles the Texas Rangers’ plan B: Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb.

Paxton throws first bullpen session; Hart progressing in rehab; Strieby’s future may be with another team

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

James Paxton; Photo: UK Athletics

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik was impressed by former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton‘s first bullpen session since signing his contract with the team.
  • Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune profiles Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere, who he reports will likely start the season as AAA Rochester’s starting left fielder or center fielder.
  • Andrew Gruman of the Journal Sentinel has an update on Bowling Green native Corey Hart‘s injury and reports Hart could take ground balls on Saturday.
  • Steve Kornacki of MLive.com profiles former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby, who says he hopes he can still make it to major leagues with the Tigers but knows his future might be with another organization.
  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA looks at the University of Louisville‘s Friday win in his 27 takes from around college baseball.

UK players among those to watch from Houston tournament; Corey Hart growing frustrated with slow return from injury

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Brian Adams; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA recaps last weekend’s Houston College Classic, giving the University of Kentucky a C+ grade. Rogers also lists UK junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, sophomore outfielder Brian Adams and freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott among the players to watch from the tournament. (Subscription required)
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart is growing more frustrated with his oblique injury.
  • Dave Krieger, a columnist for The Denver Post, writes the Colorado Rockies should take their time bringing back right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell.
  • Anthony Andro, writing for The Dallas Morning News, reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb is still on track to throw live batting practice today.
  • Baseball America has published its 2011 bat guide, including information about Louisville Slugger bats that meet new college and high school regulations.
  • I’ve posted a Eastern Kentucky University photo gallery from Tuesday’s game versus UK on the BluGrass Baseball Flickr page.