Pioneer League

Thomas Royse ranked among Pioneer League top prospects; Joe Blanton, Phillies clinch playoff spot

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Christian Friedrich; Photo by Matt McGee via Flickr

Latest notes and links from around Kentucky baseball to get you through the final Monday of the MLB regular season:

  • In his top 20 Pioneer League prospect rankings, Matt Eddy of Baseball America ranks former UofL right-handed pitcher Thomas Royse the No. 19 prospect in the league.
  • Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich is will spend the offseason in Tempe, Ariz., working out in preparation for Rockies Spring Training.
  • Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton and the Philadelphia Phillies clinched a playoff spot Sunday. The Phillies can clinch the NL East with a win today.
  • The Cincinnati Reds magic number to clinch the NL Central is one after a win Sunday.
  • Lexington native Austin Kearns and the New York Yankees have magic number of one to clinch an AL playoff spot.

Rowland named Pioneer League POW; Friedrich honors former mentor; EKU hires new assistant coach

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Christian Friedrich; Photo by Matt McGee via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Former Campbellsville catcher Richie Rowland was named player of the week for the rookie-level Pioneer League.
  • Eastern Kentucky University has hired former Middle Tennessee State volunteer assistant coach John Petersen to be a full-time assistant coach.
  • Barry Lewis of the Tulsa World reports former EKU and current AA Tulsa left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich has changed his number from 28 to 10 to honor one of his mentors at EKU, Bryan Stevenson.
  • At least 23 MLB All-Stars will use Louisville Slugger bats this year, WDRB in Louisville reports. Depending on the final-player votes as many as two more Louisville Slugger clients could be added to the game.
  • Western Kentucky University signee Ivan Hartle has been named the Easton NJCAA Division I Baseball Defensive Player of the Year for his work at Iowa Western Community College.
  • Michael Compton of the Bowling Green Daily News reports Bowling Green Hot Rods pitcher Kyle Lobstein is turning the corner.