Philadelphia Phillies

UK blows late lead versus LSU; Blanton to the DL with elbow injury; Wellemeyer a week away from game action

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Braden Kapteyn; UK Athletics photo

Check out the recap from Kentucky’s lone Thursday college baseball game and the latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • The University of Kentucky bullpen collapsed once again, this time in an eight-run eighth inning that gave LSU a 9-5 win. UK lead 5-1 entering the eight but junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer allowed two runners to reach base before being replaced with freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott. Gott recorded one out but surrendered two runs, and junior right-handed pitcher Braden Kapteyn took the loss after surrendering three runs while recording one out. Meyer was outstanding for the first seven innings of the game and took a no decision after surrendering three runs on four hits in seven-plus innings while striking out 10 batters and walking two. Junior catcher Michael Williams was 3-4 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a “medial impingement” in his throwing elbow. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said Blanton’s MRI was encouraging because it showed no structural damage.
  • Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel recaps Bowling Green native Corey Hart‘s wild night in his first start on Wednesday since returning from the disabled list.
  • Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer is at least a week away from game action.

Blanton says mechanical problem affecting performance; Lawrence Co. ace rebounds from Tommy John surgery

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Joe Blanton; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton said Tuesday he had identified a mechanical problem that was leading to his early season struggles, but Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee said he did not know of any problem.
  • Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times reports the Angels are enjoying the added flexibility brought to the bullpen since Louisville native and former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs returned from the disabled list, giving the team two left-handed relievers.
  • George Von Benko of MLB.com reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart took batting practice on the field with the Milwaukee Brewers for the first time on Thursday.
  • Western Kentucky University will retire the jersey of former catcher Jack Glasser, who batted .326 in his three-year career. Glasser is the first WKU baseball player to have his jersey retired.
  • Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports on the baseball side-show in Lexington early this week in the form of 2010 No. 1 pick Bryce Harper.
  • Mike Fields of the Herald-Leader reports Lawrence County High School right-handed pitcher Chandler Shepherd, a UK signee, has rebounded from Tommy John surgery to put himself in consideration for Mr. Baseball honors.

Alex Meyer ranked among top 2011 draft prospects; Corey Hart takes BP; UofL, WKU in latest NCAA tourney projection

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Corey Hart; Photo by Steve Paluch via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • In the magazine’s midseason top 50 draft prospect ranking, Baseball America ranks University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer the No. 28 prospect in the 2011 draft.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart took swings in the indoor batting cage without any discomfort on Tuesday and hopes to go on a minor league rehab assignment on Sunday.
  • Aaron Fitt of BA includes bot the University of Louisville and Western Kentucky University in his latest NCAA tournament projections as at-large bids. He also notes the UK is one of just two teams in the Southeastern Conference without a realistic at-large shot.
  • C. L. Brown of the Courier-Journal recaps the UK 3-2 win over UofL on Tuesday, noting UofL redshirt junior outfielder Stewart Ijames said his team was “not competing enough as an offensive unit.”
  • Chip Cosby of the Lexington Herald-Leader recaps the game, quoting UK head coach Gary Henderson as saying “When you play Louisville, it’s important no matter what sport it is.
  • Former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton struggled in his second start of the season for the Phillies, taking a loss after surrendering five runs on seven hits in six innings. Blanton has a 10.45 ERA on the young season.

Lueke eagerly awaits MLB debut; Kearns to platoon in left

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Austin Kearns; Photo by Scott Ableman via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Greg Johns of MLB.com talks with Highland Heights native Josh Lueke about his impending MLB debut, and Lueke reminisces about attending Reds’ games as a teenager.
  • Jordan Bastian and Zack Meisel of MLB.com reports Lexington native Austin Kearns will split time in left field with Travis Buck until Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore returns from injury.
  • Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports the Phillies have released Louisville native Matt Anderson, who was attempting to make a comeback with the team after several years away from professional baseball.
  • Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Cardinals are not rushing Louisville native Zack Cox, who might have been able to handle AA in his first full professional season.

Joe Blanton leads Kentucky major leaguers in salary

Major League Baseball

Joe Blanton; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

With Opening Day upon us its time for the annual look at the contracts of each of Kentucky’s major league players. The group added two new members in Josh Lueke and Nathan Adcock this season, but is still dominated by the familiar names. Check out the full list of 2011 salaries below with contract data via USA Today‘s MLB  salary database:

  • Joe Blanton (Phillies) — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — $10.5 million
  • Aaron Cook (Rockies) — Born in Ft. Campbell — $9.875 million
  • Dan Uggla (Braves) — Born in Louisville — $9.15 million
  • Corey Hart (Brewers) — Greenwood HS — $6.833 million
  • Mark Reynolds (Orioles) — Born in Pikeville — $5.333 million
  • Scott Downs (Angels) — PRP, UK — $5 million
  • Jon Rauch (Blue Jays) — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — $3.5 million
  • Brandon Webb (Rangers) — Paul Blazer HS, UK — $3 million
  • Trever Miller (Cardinals) — St. X HS — $2 million
  • Austin Kearns (Indians) — Lafayette HS — $1.3 million
  • Sean Green (Brewers) — Male HS, UofL — $875,000
  • Tyler Clippard (Nationals) — Born in Lexington — $443,000
  • Jonny Venters (Braves) — Born in Pikeville — $429,500
  • A. J. Ellis (Dodgers) — PLD HS — $421,000
  • Nathan Adcock (Royals) — North Hardin HS — $414,000
  • Josh Lueke (Mariners) — Scott HS, NKU — $414,000
 

No significant differences were discovered. Race does not influence the length of enrollment in adult literacy programs.

Kentuckians on MLB Opening Day rosters

Major League Baseball

You can always see the list of Kentucky MLB players on the “Ky. in the Majors” page here, but with Opening Day upon us I thought it would be a good idea to post the list on the home page. Check out the Kentuckians starting the 2011 season on MLB rosters below:

National League

  • RHP Aaron Cook — Born in Ft. Campbell — Colorado Rockies (15-day DL)
  • C A. J. Ellis — PLD — Los Angeles Dodgers
  • OF Corey Hart — Greenwood HS — Milwaukee Brewers (15-day DL)
  • 2B Dan Uggla — Born in Louisville — Atlanta Braves
  • RHP Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson HS, UK — Philadelphia Phillies
  • LHP Jonny Venters — Born in Pikeville — Atlanta Braves
  • RHP Sean Green — Male HS, UofL — Milwaukee Brewers
  • LHP Trever Miller — St. X HS — St. Louis Cardinals
  • RHP Tyler Clippard — Born in Lexington — Washington Nationals

American League

  • OF Austin Kearns — Lafayette HS — Cleveland Indians
  • RHP Brandon Webb — Paul Blazer HS, UK — Texas Rangers (15-day DL)
  • RHP Jon Rauch — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — Toronto Blue Jays
  • RHP Josh Lueke — Scott HS, NKU — Seattle Mariners*
  • 3B Mark Reynolds — Born in Pikeville — Baltimore Orioles
  • RHP Nathan Adcock — North Hardin HS — Kansas City Royals*
  • LHP Scott Downs — PRP, UK — Los Angeles Angels (15-day DL)
  • RHP Shawn Kelley — Ballard HS — Seattle Mariners (60-day DL)

* — Lueke and Adcock are MLB rookies and will make their MLB debuts with first appearance in 2011.

Spring roundup: Austin Kearns reaches base four times; Trever Miller, B. J. Rosenberg post scoreless outings

Major League Baseball

Austin Kearns; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Sunday Kentucky Spring Training action:

  • Lexington native Austin Kearns was 3-3 with one walk and one run scored for the Cleveland Indians.
  • Louisville native Trever Miller was credited with a hold after pitching a scoreless inning for the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock was credited with a hold despite surrendering two runs in two innings for relief for the Kansas City Royals.
  • PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • After being added to the MLB roster for the game former UofL right-handed pitcher B. J. Rosenberg pitched two scoreless innings for the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-2 versus the Phillies.
  • Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 1-4 versus the Red Sox.

Spring roundup: Blanton earns win with six shutout innings; Green earns win; Ellis continues hot streak

Major League Baseball

Joe Blanton; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Friday Kentucky Spring Training action:

  • Former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton earned a win after surrendering five hits in six shutout innings for the Philadelphia Phillies while striking out four batters and walking none.
  • Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green earned the win after recording two outs without surrendering a run for the Milwaukee Brewers.
  • Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke surrendered two hits in a scoreless inning for the Seattle Mariners.
  • PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 1-2 with one RBI and one run scored for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • After being added to the MLB roster for the game Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 1-1 for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
  • After being added to the MLB roster for the game former UK outfielder Saywer Carroll was 1-2 with one double and one run scored for the San Diego Padres.
  • In that same game offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney surrendered three runs on six hits in two innings for the Cincinnati Reds.
  • After being added to the MLB roster for the game, former UofL outfielder Boomer Whiting had a sacrifice bunt in a pinch hit appearance for the Washington Nationals.
  • Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-3 with one walk versus the Tigers.

Spring roundup: Jon Rauch, Trever Miller, Josh Lueke and Trystan Magnuson post scoreless innings

Uncategorized

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Sunday Kentucky Spring Training action:

  • Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch was credited with his first save of the spring after pitching a scoreless inning for the Blue Jays.
  • Louisville native Trever Miller pitched a scoreless inning for the St. Louis Cardinals.
  • Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke was credited with a hold after pitching a scoreless inning for the Seattle Mariners.
  • Former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson was credited with a save after pitching a scoreless inning for the Oakland Athletics.
  • Former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton was charged with a loss after surrendering four runs on eight hits in six and one-third innings for the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, was 2-4 with one strikeout versus the Rays.
  • Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Tyler Clippard, who was born in Lexington, surrendered two hits and a walk in a scoreless inning versus the Tigers.
  • Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-3 versus the Astros.

Cowgill, Roe cut from respective MLB camps; Wright adapts to being UofL’s go-to hitter; Rauch could close for Blue Jays

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Collin Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • The Arizona Diamondbacks have re-assigned Lexington native and former  UK outfielder Collin Cowgill to minor league camp.
  • The Seattle Mariners have optioned Lexington native Chaz Roe to AAA Tacoma.
  • Aaron Fitt of Baseball America profiles University of Louisville junior infielder Ryan Wright, who is adapting to becoming a full-time second baseman after playing shortstop and right field during his first two seasons to get his bat in the lineup. (Subscription required)
  • Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch could be in line to close games for the Blue Jays if injuries keep Frank Fransisco and Octavio Dotel off the Opening Day roster.
  • Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton was frustrated with his Tuesday start, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was unconcerned with the results.