MiLB Roundup: Bats lose; Paxson gets win vs. Hot Rods; Kipnis, Cregar homer; Ross takes no-decision

Minor League Baseball

Jason Kipnis; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

A start from rehabbing Cincinnati Reds Opening Day starting pitcher Aaron Harang wasn’t enough to help the Louisville Bats avoid a 7-3 loss to Columbus. Harang surrendered five runs on five hits in five innings.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods dropped their fifth straight game with a 9-8 loss to Great Lakes. First baseman Ryan Wiegand was 3-4 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored.
Former WKU right-handed pitcher J. B. Paxson earned the win in relief for Great Lakes in his return to Bowling Green.
The Lexington Legends game with the West Virginia Power was suspended due to rain and will be resumed at 5:05 p.m. today.
LCA alum Robbie Ross took a no decision for high A Bakersfield after surrendering two runs in four innings.
One-time UK outfielder Jason Kipnis was 2-2 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson earned his third win of the season with two and two-third scoreless innings for AA New Hampshire.
Former WKU outfielder Chad Cregar slugged his 17th home run of the season and drove in three runs for low A Greensboro.
Former Morehead St. outfielder and 2010 White Sox NDFA J. D. Ashbrook was 2-3 with a double, three RBI and run scored for rookie-level Bristol.

MiLB Roundup: Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Jones picks up eighth win; Wilson homers; Ray perfect at plate

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John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Lexington Legends pounded out 15 hits en route to a 9-4 win over Hagerstown. First baseman Kody Hinze was 2-5 with two doubles, one RBI and three runs scored.
The Lansing Lugnuts scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 10-9 loss. First baseman Ryan Wiegand was 2-4 with a home run, double, three RBI and one run scored.
The Louisville Bats were off Monday.
Former NKU left-handed pitcher Jarrett Casey fell to 0-4 on the season for rookie-level Bristol despite surrendering just one run on three hits in six innings. Casey struck out six and walked just one.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones earned his eighth win of the season with a quality start for high A Winston-Salem. Jones surrendered three runs on nine hits in six innings and struck out three.
Former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with a double, run scored and two stolen bases for AA Birmingham.
Former UK first baseman Lance Ray was 3-3 with a RBI and run scored for low A Beloit.
Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich tallied three hits and scored one run for short-season Hudson Valley.
Paducah native and 2010 Rangers draftee Jonathan Roof was 3-4 with a double, RBI and run scored for low A Hickory.
Covington native Neil Wilson slugged his fourth home run of the season for AAA New Orleans.
Louisville native and 2010 Giants draftee Stephen Shackleford picked up his first professional save with two scoreless innings for the rookie-level AZL Giants.
Former Morehead St. shortstop and 2010 White Sox draftee Drew Lee saw his 14-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-3 performance for rookie-level Bristol.

MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Rusin, Holland, Ellis Win; Shaffer, Townsend homer

Minor League Baseball

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

Highlights from Thursday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Louisville Bats slugged four home runs en route to an 11-7 win over Charlotte. First baseman Yonder Alonso, designated hitter Juan Francisco, outfielder Chris Dickerson and outfielder Wladimir Balentein each homered for the Bats.
Lexington Legends closer Kirk Clark set the new Legends career and single-season saves record with his 22nd save in a 3-2 win over Rome. Right-handed pitcher Jose Cisnero earned the win after surrendering two runs in six innings.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods couldn’t over come and early 5-1 deficit after two innings in a 8-7 loss to Quad Cities. First baseman Ryan Wiegand and right fielder Gabe Cohen each homered for the Hot Rods.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Chris Rusin earned his fourth win of the season for high A Daytona after surrendering three runs in six innings. Rusin struck out six and walked none.
Former UK right-handed pitcher Zach Dials was promoted to AA Harrisburg where he surrendered one run in two-thirds of an inning in his debut.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher and 2010 Nationals draftee Neil Holland earned his second win of the season with three scoreless innings for short-season Vermont.
Former UofL infielder and 2010 Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich was 3-5 with two doubles and a run scored for short-season Hudson Valley.
Former WKU outfielder Chad Cregar was 2-4 with a double, three RBI and a run scored for low A Greensboro.
Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer homered for the second consecutive game and drove in three runs for high A High Desert.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere scored three times, tallied two hits and stole a base for AA New Britain.
London native Jon Townsend slugged his fifth home run of the season, drove in two runs and scored twice for high A Rancho Cucamonga.
Lexington native Josh Ellis picked up his second win of the season after two scoreless innings of relief for AA Mobile.

MiLB Roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Carroll, Whiting have big nights; Cooper, Sullivan win

Minor League Baseball

Sawyer Carroll; Photo: UK Athletics

A little late today, but here are highlights from Friday MiLB action:

Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman pick up his sixth win of the season for the Louisville Bats in the team’s 7-3 victory over Lehigh Valley. Chapman struck out all four batters he faced. Gary Matthews Jr. and Juan Francisco each homered for the Bats.
The Lexington Legends couldn’t muster any more offense than a single second inning run in their 3-1 loss to Hickory. Left-handed pitcher Luis Cruz took the loss despite surrendering just three runs in six and two-third innings.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods dropped a 6-3 decision to Burlington. First baseman Ryan Wiegand was 2-3 with a double and two RBI.
Danville native Patrick Cooper earned his second professional win after surrendering just one run in six innings. Cooper struck out seven and walked just three.
Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 3-5 with a walk, two RBI and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
Former UofL outfielder Boomer Whiting was 3-5 with a double, two RBI, one run scored and a stolen base for AAA Syracuse.
Former WKU outfielder Chad Cregar slugged his tenth home run of the season for low A Greensboro.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Nathan Jones surrendered just one unearned run in five innings for high A Winston-Salem but still took a no decision.
Former Campbellsville University outfielder Chris Curley slugger his first home run of the season for low A Rome.
Lafayette High School alum Chaz Roe lost his tenth game of the season for AAA Colorado Springs after surrendering six runs in five innings.
Paducah native Daniel Webb pitched four shutout innings for short-season Auburn but didn’t qualify for the win.
Paducah native and 2010 draftee Jonathan Roof was promoted to low A Hickory where he went 1-4 in his debut.
Hawesville native and 2010 draftee Michael Mosby was reassigned to the rookie-level GCL Orioles where he went 2-4 in his debut.
Louisville native Richard Sullivan earned his third win of the season for AA Mississippi with three and one-third scoreless innings of relief.
Lexington native and 2010 draftee Tyler Oliver slugged his first professional home run for the rookie-level GCL Nationals.

MiLB Roundup: Legends win; Hot Rods lose; NDFAs Nidiffer, Rowland continue to slug; Ky. All-Star performances

Minor League Baseball

Richie Rowland; Photo: Campbellsville University

Highlights from Wednesday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Lexington Legends jumped out to a 6-0 lead and held on for a 7-4 win over the Hickory Crawdads. Outfielder J. D. Martinez was 2-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods fell into an early 7-2 hole and the team’s rally fell just short in a 7-6 loss to the Burlington Bees. First baseman Ryan Wiegand was 2-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored.
Louisville Bats infielder Chris Valaika was 1-3 with a double and one of two International League runs scored in the IL’s 2-1 in over the Pacific Coast League in the AAA All-Star Game.
Lexington Catholic alum and Twins outfield prospect Ben Revere was 0-2 with a RBI, and former UofL right-handed pitcher and current Blue Jays prospect Trystan Magnuson retired both batters he faced for the East team in the AA Eastern League All-Star game.
Former UK catcher and 2010 Astros NDFA Marcus Nidiffer was 2-4 with a home run in his first consecutive game for rookie-level Greeneville.
Former Campbellsville catcher and 2010 Diamondbacks NDFA Richie Rowland was 2-2 with his fourth home run of his young professional career, three RBI and one run scored for rookie-level Missoula to bring his batting average back above .400 for the season.
Former UofL infielder and 2010 Rays draftee Phil Wunderlich extended his hitting streak to 10 games for short-season Hudson Valley.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher and 2010 White Sox draftee Thomas Royse took a no decision after surrendering three runs, none of which were earned, in five innings for rookie-level Great Falls.
Former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke, who was recently traded to the Mariners organization as part of the Cliff Lee deal, has been assigned to AA West Tennessee.
Louisville native and 2010 Giants draftee Stephen Shakleford picked up his first professional win with a scoreless inning for the rookie-level AZL Giants.

Bowling Green Hot Rods June Awards

Minor League Baseball

Standout Bowling Green Hot Rods performances from June:

Hitter of the month: C Mark Thomas

Stats: 27-77 (.351), 2 HR, 13 RBI, 12 R
Honorable Mention: Tyler Bortnick, Brett Nommensen, Ty Morrison, Ryan Wiegand

Pitcher of the month: LHP Kyle Lobstein

Stats: 4-0, 1.19 ERA, 27 SO/10 BB, 30.1 IP
Honorable Mention: Kirby Yates, Alex Koronis, Shane Dyer, Scott Shuman

BluGrass Baseball Hot Rods April Awards

Minor League Baseball

We’re back on the April minor league award series with the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The first month of the season wasn’t kind to the Hot Rods, who stumbled out of the gate to the tune of a 5-17 record. Check out Bowling Green’s standout April performances below:

Hitter of the month: C Mark Thomas

Stats: .298/.365/.426 — 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R
It says a lot about the Hot Rods’ first month that the team’s most productive hitter played in just 14 of 23 games. Thomas led Bowling Green with two home runs, ranked second on the team with seven RBI and if he would have played in enough games to qualify for the percentage categories he would have led the team in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS.
Honorable Mention: OF Christopher Murrill, 1B Ryan Wiegand

Pitcher of the month: RHP Shane Dyer

Stats: 1-2, 2.17 ERA, 20 SO/3 BB, 29 IP
If Dyer was upset at being sent back to Bowling Green to start 2010 he’s making his case for a promotion. The 2008 6th-round pick led the team in ERA and innings pitched. He even tallied a complete-game shutout in the month.
Honorable Mention: RHP Alexander Colome, RHP Wilking Rodriguez, RHP Kirby Yates

Bowling Green Hot Rods 2010 Opening Day Roster

Minor League Baseball

The Bowling Green Hot Rods have released their 2010 Opening Day roster for its first season in the Midwest League. The Hot Rods will feature four players, right-handed pitchers Shane Dyer, Jairo De La Rosa and Deivis Mavares and infielder Robi Estrada, who spent part of 2009 with the team. Five 2010 Hot Rods were ranked by Baseball America on the Tampa Bay Rays’ top 30 prospects list, and I’ve included those rankings next to the players’ name below.

Pitchers

RHP Alexander Colome (BA #7) — NDFA (2007)
RHP Jairo De La Rosa — NFDA (2002)
RHP Shane Dyer — 6th Round (2008)
LHP Kyle Lobstein (BA #11) — 2nd Round (2008)
RHP Deivis Mavares — NDFA (2007)
RHP Jason McEachern (BA #25) — 13th round (2008)
RHP Wilking Rodriguez (BA #17) –NDFA (2007)
RHP Scott Shuman — 19th Round (2009)
LHP Matthew Stabelfeld — 41st Round (2009)
LHP Jake Sullivan — 22nd Round (2009)
RHP Kirby Yates —

Catchers

Mayobanex Acosta — R/R — NDFA (2006)
Tomas Francisco — R/R — NDFA (2006)
Mark Thomas — R/R — 22nd Round (2006)

Infielders

SS — Tyler Bortnick — R/R — 16th round (2009)
3B — Julio Cedeno — R/R — NDFA (2006)
2B — Robi Estrada — S/R — 19th round (2006)
SS — Diogenes Luis — S/R — NDFA (2006)
1B — Eli Sonoqui — L/L — 9th round (2006)
2B — Kyle Spraker — R/R — 34th round (2009)
1B — Ryan Wiegand — L/R — 25th round (2009)

Outfielders

CF — Dustin Bell — L/R — 5th Round (2007)
LF — Ty Morrison (BA #14) — L/R — 4th Round (2008)
CF — Christopher Murrill — L/L — 35th Round (2009)
RF — Brett Nommensen — L/L — 8th Round (2009)