MiLB roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Carroll has three hits; Glad, Dominguez homer; Ross earns win

Minor League Baseball

Delino Deshields Jr.; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney earned his first AAA win of the season in leading the Louisville Bats to an 8-0 victory over Buffalo. Maloney surrendered four hits in seven shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking two. Third baseman Todd Frazier was 3-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.
The Lexington Legends slugged three home runs and tallied 13 hits but still couldn’t avoid a 12-11 loss to Hagerstown. Second baseman Delino DeShields Jr. was 3-4 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. Right fielder Adam Bailey and left fielder Emilio King also homered. King has two home runs in two games for Lexington.
Louisville native Jason Chowning surrendered one run, his first of the season, on two hits in three innings of relief while striking out four batters and walking two for the Legends.
Great Lakes scored a single run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 3-2 loss. Right-handed pitcher George Jensen took a no decision after surrendering two runs on three hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking two.
Lexington native Robbie Ross earned his fourth win of the season after surrendering one run on four hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking two.
Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a no decision after surrendering two runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out one batter and walking four.
Making his second start in affiliated ball, former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton took a no decision after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking four for low A Clinton.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich took a no decision after surrendering three runs on six hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking one.
Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez slugged his seventh home run of the season for high A San Jose.
Former UK infielder Gunner Glad slugged his second home run of the season for low A Beloit.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell took a loss after surrendering five runs on six hits in four and two-third innings in a start for low A Beloit.
Former UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St. before the draft, was 3-4 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AAA Columbus.

Cowgill, Ross win April Ky MiLB awards

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

In the final minor league April awards post we’ll look at the best hitting and pitching performances from Kentucky alumni in MiLB:

Hitter of the month: OF Collin Cowgill

Stats: .387 (29-75), 4 HR, 13 RBI, 20 R, 5 SB
Honorable Mention: John Shelby, Ryan Strieby, Sawyer Carroll, Chris Dominguez, Jake Shaffer, Jon Townsend, Tyler Kuhn

Pitcher of the month: LHP Robbie Ross

Stats: 2-1, 2.61 ERA, 17 SO/8 BB, 20.2 IP
Honorable Mention: Andrew Albers, Logan Darnell, B. J. Rosenberg, Cory Wade, Marty Popham, Jason Chowning

MiLB roundup: Legends, Hot Rods sweep DHs; Bats lose two; Darnell, Friedrich, Ross, Klinker earn wins

Minor League Baseball

Delino Deshields Jr. slugs home run Tuesday; KyForward photo by Jon Hale

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

In the completion of a game suspended in the third inning on Monday the Lexington Legends exploded for 11 runs over four innings in a 15-2 win over Augusta. First baseman Tyler Burnett, designated hitter Delino Deshields Jr. and right fielder Adam Bailey each homered in the game for Lexington.
The Legends continued their hot hitting with a five-run first inning in game two of the double-header and held on for an 8-4 win over the GreenJackets to move into first place in the South Atlantic League South. Deshields was 2-3 with one triple and two runs scored in game two.
Louisville natives and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold slugged his second home run of the season in game two for Augusta. Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-4 with one double and one run scored in game one for the GreenJackets.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods used two three-run innings to earn a 6-2 win over Dayton in game one of a double-header. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 3-3 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored for the Hot Rods.
In game two of the double-header Hot Rods pitchers held Dayton to just two hits in a 6-0 win. Right-handed pitcher George Jensen earned the win after surrendering two hits in five scoreless innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Shortstop Derek Dietrich was 3-3 with one double, one home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
In game one of a double-header the Louisville Bats tallied just four hits in a 4-0 loss to Norfolk. Two-time National League All-Star Dontrelle Willis surrendered suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering four runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out 10 batters and walking one.
The Bats broke through on the scoreboard in the second game of the double-header but still dropped a 2-1 decision to the Tides. Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney surrendered one run on six hits in five and one-third innings while striking out five batters and walking none but had to settle for a no decision.
Mount Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee slugged his fourth home run of the season for low A Kannapolis.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-3 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored for AA Jackson.
Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley was 2-4 with one RBI, two runs scored and one stolen base for high A Lynchburg.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell improved to 2-1 on the season after surrendering three runs on six hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking one for low A Beloit.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich improved to 2-2 on the season after surrendering one run on five hits in five and two-third innings while striking out four batters and walking one for AA Tulsa.
Louisville native Tyler Kuhn was 2-4 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AA Birmingham.
Former Madisonville resident Matt Klinker earned his first AA win after surrendering two hits in five shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking two for AA Carolina.
One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St. before being drafted, was 2-4 with one double, three RBI and one run scored for AAA Columbus.
Lexington native Robbie Ross posted his second straight poor start but still earned a win after surrendering five runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking none for high A Myrtle Beach.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 2-4 with one double and one RBI for AAA Albuquerque.

MiLB roundup: Bats sweep DH; Legends split DH; Hot Rods lose; Lee, Ray homer; Cowgill slugs two HRs

Minor League Baseball

Drew Lee; BluGrass Baseball photos

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats swept a double-header from Durham with a 3-2 win in game one and an 11-5 win in game two. Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney surrendered one run on three hits in his first start of the season for the Bats in game one. Center fielder Dave Sappelt was 2-4 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored in game two.
The Lexington Legends split a double-header with Kannapolis with a 3-2 win in game one and a 3-1 loss in a rain-shortened game two. Right-handed pitcher Carlos Quevedo surrendered two runs on five hits in five innings while striking out eight batters and walking none in game one. Right-handed pitcher Ruben Alaniz took the loss in game two after surrendering two runs in three innings.
Mt. Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee was 3-6 with one home run, one double, one RBI and two runs scored for Kannapolis in the double-header.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods never overcame a five-run first inning from Great Lakes in a 12-5 loss. Third baseman Robi Estrada was 3-4 with one home run, one double, two RBI and two runs scored.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 4-7 with two home runs, two RBI and four runs scored for AAA Reno.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a 1-5 performance for AA Jackson.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 4-4 with one run scored for AAA Rochester.
Former UK outfielder Lance Ray was 2-4 with one home run, one double, one RBI and one run scored for low A Beloit.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 3-4 with one RBI for AA Montgomery.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell took a no decision after surrendering two runs on two hits in six and one-third innings while striking out four batters and walking one.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 2-5 with one run scored for AAA Toledo.
Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez was 2-4 with two runs scored for high A San Jose.
Former UofL outfielder Boomer Whiting was 2-5 with one run scored for AAA Syracuse.
Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 2-5 for high A Lakeland.
Louisville native Zack Cox extended his hitting streak to five games with a 2-4 performance for high A Palm Beach.
Trinity alum Tyler Kuhn was 2-3 with one RBI for AA Birmingham and his hits in four consecutive games.
Lexington native Robbie Ross took a loss for high A Myrtle Beach after surrendering six runs on eight hits in four innings.
Danville native Patrick Cooper took a loss in his first start of the season for low A West Michigan after surrendering three runs on one hit in three and one-third innings.

MiLB Roundup: Two Legends slug three HRs in win; Bats, Hot Rods win; Shelby, Wunderlich, Roof homer; Ross wins

Minor League Baseball

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Lexington Legends had a rare offensive outburst in an 18-9 win over Asheville. Both catcher Chris Wallace and designated hitter Telvin Nash each slugged three home runs. Wallace was 5-6 with nine RBI and four runs scored, and Nash was 5-6 with four RBI and four runs scored.
The Louisville Bats returned to its winning ways with a 6-4, 13-inning victory over Indianapolis. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Homer Bailey surrendered two hits in five scoreless innings in a rehab appearance for the Bats. Second baseman Kris Negron was 3-5 with one double and two runs scored, and outfielder Brian Barton slugged a home run.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods rallied for a 7-6 win over Lake County. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 2-4 with one home run, one double, three RBI and one run scored. Left fielder Cody Rogers and second baseman Hector Guevara both homered.
LCA alum Robbie Ross earned his first win of the season after surrendering four hits in six shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking three for high A Myrtle Beach.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and one run scored for AA Montgomery.
Former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond was 2-4 with two doubles, two runs scored, one walk and one stolen base for low A Hickory.
Former UofL first baseman Andrew Clark was 2-4 with one RBI, one walk and one run scored for low A Hickory.
Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor extended his hitting streak to six games with a single and two RBI for high A Lakeland.
Paducah native Jonathan Roof slugged his first professional home run and scored twice for low A Hickory.

MiLB roundup: Bats sweep DH; Hot Rods split DH; Legends lose; Duvall homers; Cox, Revere have three hits

Minor League Baseball

Ben Revere; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Tuesday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats swept a double-header versus Columbus with a 4-2 win in game one and a 5-4 win in game two. Right fielder Jeremy Hermida was 3-3 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored in game one, and second baseman Chris Valaikia was 3-4 with two RBI in game two.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods split a double-header versus Fort Wayne with a 4-0 loss in game one and a 1-0 win in game two. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser surrendered one run on three hits in five innings while striking out seven batters and walking two in his start in game one but took a loss. Three Hot Rods pitcher surrendered just four hits in game two, and shortstop Derek Dietrich plated the only run with a solo home run.
The Lexington Legends held 2010 No. 1 pick Bryce Harper hitless but still dropped a 5-1 loss to Hagerstown. Center fielder Daniel Adamson was 3-4 with one double, one triple and one run scored, and Eastern High School alum Jason Chowning pitched two scoreless innings of relief for the Legends.
Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-5 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored for low A Augusta.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 3-4 with one run scored and one stolen base for AAA Rochester.
Louisville native Zack Cox was 3-5 with one RBI for high A Palm Beach.
LCA alum Robbie Ross surrendered two hits in four scoreless innings while striking out five batters and walking two in a start for high A Myrtle Beach.
Former Ky. Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade posted his third scoreless two-inning appearance of the season and struck out three batters for AAA Durham.
Louisville native and former Union College right-handed pitcher Marty Popham struck out six batters in three and one-third scoreless innings for AA Kinston.

MiLB roundup: Bats, Hot Rods, Legends win; Friedrich wins in first start; Duvall homers; Shaffer, Townsend have 3 hits

Minor League Baseball

Christian Friedrich; Photo by Matt McGee via Flickr

Highlights from Friday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Bowling Green Hot Rods improved to 2-0 on the season with a 12-5 win over Dayton. Catcher Lucas Bailey was 4-4 with one home run, one double, four RBI and two runs scored, and former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 1-4 with a double.
The Lexington Legends offense busted out for 11 runs to give the team its first win of the season, an 11-7 victory over Charleston. Catcher Chris Wallace and right fielder Adam Bailey both slugged home runs, and right-handed pitcher Tanner Bushue earned the win after surrendering four runs in six innings.
The Louisville Bats earned the team’s first win of the season with a 5-3 victory over Toledo. Right-handed pitcher Matt Klinker, who attended Madisonville North-Hopkins High School, earned the win after surrendering three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking one.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 1-4 in the game for Toledo.
Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall slugged his first home run of the season for low A Augusta.
Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich earned his first win of the season after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on three hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking two for AA Tulsa.
Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 3-4 with two doubles and three runs scored for AA Jackson.
LCA alum Robbie Ross is pitching out of the bullpen to start the season for high A Myrtle Beach and struck out two batters in a scoreless inning in his season debut.
South Laurel alum Jon Townsend was 3-5 with two RBI and one walk for high A Inland Empire in his season debut.

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.

No structural damage to Cook’s shoulder; Ross among Rangers’ top prospects; Strieby hopes to make MLB roster

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Aaron Cook; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, received some good news on Friday when team physician, Dr. Thomas Noonan, examined him and found no structural damage in is ailing shoulder.
Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com ranks Lexington native Robbie Ross the No. 7 prospect in the Texas Rangers’ farm system.
Jason Beck of MLB.com profiles former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby and his push to make the Detroit Tigers’ roster this spring. Strieby currently leads the team in plate appearances and hits but is blocked at first base by all-star Miguel Cabrera.
Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb will throw his fourth bullpen session of the spring on Sunday.
Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports Webb paid a visit to his former teammates in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ clubhouse on Saturday.

Kentuckians included in BA Prospect Handbook

Minor League Baseball

In the opinion of this baseball writer there is not a more important annual publication that Baseball America‘s “Prospect Handbook.” The 2011 edition of the Handbook was mailed this week with mine arriving on Thursday. I cannot recommend the book highly enough if you are a baseball fan, especially one interested in identifying the next MLB stars before your friends. You can purchase the book from BA here. I’m going to list some basic Kentucky info from the book below but won’t give away the rankings or scouting reports in order to encourage you to buy a copy of the book yourself.

Four Kentucky school alumni were included in the already released top 10 prospect rankings for their respective organizations: Zack Cox, Jason Kipnis, Christian Friedrich and Ben Revere. PRP alum Cox was ranked the No. 2 prospect in the Cardinals organization, one-time UK outfielder Kipnis was ranked the No. 3 prospect in the Indians’ system, former EKU left-handed pitcher Friedrich was ranked the No. 4 prospect in the Rockies’ organization and Lexington Catholic alum Revere was ranked the No. 5 prospect in the Twins’ system.
Eleven other Kentucky school alumni were included in the 11-30 rankings for their respective organizations: former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke, former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby, former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez, former UofL right-handed pitcher Thomas Royse, former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill, former LCA left-handed pitcher Robbie Ross, former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones, former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson, former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor, former UofL outfielder Josh Richmond and former Ballard left-handed pitcher Richard Sullivan.
Three organizations had two Kentucky alumni in the top 30 lists: the White Sox, Rangers and Tigers.
The Cardinals, Indians, Rockies, Twins, Mariners, Giants, Diamondbacks, Athletics and Braves also had Kentucky alumni included in their respective top 30 rankings.
The University of Louisville had four alumni ranked on top 20 lists, the University of Kentucky had three alumni listed and Northern Kentucky University boasted former two players in the handbook.
Two players drafted straight out of Kentucky high schools were ranked on organization top 30s: Revere and Ross.