Kelley cuts simulated game short; Hart struggling since return from DL; Webb remains confident he will return to MLB

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Shawn Kelley; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Greg Johns of MLB.com reports Louisville native Shawn Kelley, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, had to cut his simulated game short on Sunday due to tightness in his throwing elbow.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports there is nothing physically wrong with Bowling Green native Corey Hart contributing to his offensive struggles since returning from the disabled list.
Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb remains confident he will be a productive major leaguer again despite one scout’s proclamation that he is “done” following a rehabilitation appearance last week.
Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader profiles Lexington Legends catcher Chris Wallace, who Legends manager Rodney Linares says probably deserves a promotion after his early-season performance.
Cash Kuth of MLB.com runs down some of the Kentucky major leaguers Kentucky Derby picks. Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere, North Hardin alum Nathan Adcock and St. X alum Trever Miller all missed on the winner, but Ballard alum Kelley appears to have picked the winner according to his Twitter account.

UofL defeats South Florida in Thursday game; White Sox release Ashbrook; Kelley just over a month from return

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Recap of Thursday’s Kentucky college baseball game and the latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

In a rare Thursday night baseball game the University of Louisville earned a 6-4 win over South Florida. Junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle earned the win after surrendering one run on one hit in one and one-third innings. Junior infielder Ryan Wright was 2-3 with one double, three RBI and one stolen base, and freshman first baseman Ryan Seiz was 2-4 with one run scored. Freshman catcher Kyle Gibson was 2-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his tenth save of the season. Junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self surrendered three runs on four hits in six and two-third innings in his first start of the season. (Box Score)
Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports the White Sox have released former Morehead St. outfielder J. D. Ashbrook.
Aaron Fitt of BA highlights Western Kentucky University‘s Friday night game with starting pitcher Tanner Perkins as the pitching matchup of the weekend in college baseball.
Christian Caple of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports Louisville native Shawn Kelley is still on track for a June 1 return to the Mariners following Tommy John surgery.

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.

Hart worried he might start season on DL; Cowgill impresses D’Backs with spring performance; Lueke still has a chance

College Baseball

Corey Hart; Photo by Steve Paluch via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart is afraid he will not be ready for Opening Day due to a lingering oblique injury.
Jack Magruder of FoxSportsArizona.com reports Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill made a strong impression on the Diamondbacks this spring and will likely start 2011 at AAA Reno.
Brad Stephens of the College Heights Herald recaps the recruitment of Western Kentucky University sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins, who was the top Kentucky high school pitcher in 2009, and notes a fishing trip sealed Perksins’ decision to sign with WKU.
Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times reports Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke is still in the running for a bullpen spot after the latest round of Mariners’ roster cuts.
Louisville native and rehabbing Mariners reliever Shawn Kelley breaks down his NCAA basketball tournament bracket for the Herald Net of Everett Washington. Kelley says his is a huge UofL fan, so he is probably unhappy with the Cards’ Thursday loss to Morehead St.

Meyer impresses scouting directors; Cox optioned to minor league camp; Hart may miss more time with injury

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Aaron Fitt of Baseball America recaps University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer‘s performance on Saturday and quotes one National League scouting director as projecting some team “to bite hard on Meyer” in the 2011 draft.
Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Cardinals have optioned PRP alum Zack Cox to minor-league camp.
Tim Booth of the Tri-City Herald profiles Louisville native Shawn Kelley‘s return from Tommy John surgery and reports Kelley hopes to be able to throw off a mound by June.
The Associated Press reports Bowling Green native and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Corey Hart may miss more time than originally anticipated after straining his left oblique.
Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb felt fine during his latest bullpen session but was a little wild. Webb said he hopes to throw to live batters possibly after his next bullpen session.
Nick Piecoro of the The Arizona Republic reports Webb said he has no hard feelings toward the Diamondbacks.

Reynolds hopes change of scenery will help; Cook to miss at least a week with injury; Kelley added to 60-day DL

Major League Baseball

Mark Reynolds; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball

Kevin Kaduk of Yahoo! Sports profiles Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, who was born in Pikeville, and explores the benefits he might gain from his offseason “change of scenery.”
Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram talks with Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb about his Ashland used car dealership that he runs with his brother-in-law during the offsesaon.
The Denver Post reports Rockies’ right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, will miss at least a week with shoulder soreness and is no longer guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation.
Greg Johns of MLB.com reports the Seattle Mariners added Louisville native Shawn Kelley to the 60-day disabled list to make room for recently acquired left-handed pitcher Aaron Laffey. Kelley is recovering from partial Tommy John surgery and is not expected back until at least June.

Kentuckians on MLB Spring Training rosters

Major League Baseball

MLB graphic

Pitchers and catchers have reported to Spring Training camps across Florida and Arizona. In addition to the 17 Kentuckians who appeared in the major leagues last season, several Kentucky minor leaguers are also in MLB camps this Spring. Check out the full list below, remembering that some other minor leaguers will see time during split squad games this Spring.

National League

RHP Michael Broadway — Born in Paducah, Ky. — Atlanta Braves*
2B Dan Uggla — Born in Louisville, Ky. — Atlanta Braves
LHP Jonny Venters — Born in Pikeville, Ky. — Atlanta Braves
OF Corey Hart — Greenwood HS — Milwaukee Brewers
RHP Sean Green — Male HS, UofL — Milwaukee Brewers
3B Zack Cox — PRP — St. Louis Cardinals
LHP Trever Miller — Trinity HS — St. Louis Cardinals
RHP Todd Wellemeyer — Eastern HS, Bellarmine — Chicago Cubs
OF Collin Cowgill — Henry Clay HS, UK — Arizona Diamondbacks*
C A. J. Ellis — PLD — Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Tyler Clippard — Born in Lexington, Ky. — Washington Nationals
RHP Joe Blanton — Franklin Simpson HS, UK — Philadelphia Phillies
RHP Matt Anderson — St. X — Philadelphia Phillies*
RHP Matt Klinker — Madisonville, Ky. — Cincinnati Reds*
LHP Christian Friedrich — EKU — Colorado Rockies*
LHP Aaron Cook — Born in Fort Campbell, Ky. — Colorado Rockies

American League

LHP Scott Downs — PRP, UK — Los Angeles Angels
RHP Trystan Magnuson — UofL — Oakland Athletics
RHP Jon Rauch — Oldham Co. HS, Morehead St. — Toronto Blue Jays
2B Jason Kipnis — UK — Cleveland Indians*
OF Austin Kearns — Lafayette HS — Cleveland Indians
RHP Josh Lueke — Scott HS, NKU — Seattle Mariners
RHP Shawn Kelley — Ballard HS — Seattle Mariners
RHP Chaz Roe — Lafayette HS — Seattle Mariners
3B Mark Reynolds — Born in Pikeville, Ky. — Baltimore Orioles
RHP Brandon Webb — Boyd Co. HS, UK — Texas Rangers
RHP Cory Wade — Ky. Wesleyan — Tampa Bay Rays*
RHP Nathan Adcock — North Hardin HS — Kansas City Royals
1B Ryan Strieby — UK — Detroit Tigers
OF Ben Revere — Lexington Catholic HS — Minnesota Twins
RHP Nathan Jones — Pendelton Co. HS, NKU — Chicago White Sox

* — Denotes a non-roster invitee.

UofL loses signee to draft; Surgery looks likely for ailing Kelley; Revere, Carroll boast AA’s best tools

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Shawn Kelley; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball including a professional contract for a Bluegrass university signee:

Jim Callis of Baseball America reports Illinois prep catcher Jake DePew, a University of Louisville commitment, has signed a professional contract with the Tampa Bay Rays as the team’s ninth round pick.
Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer told Carl Steward of the San Jose Mercury News he was not surprised by the Giants designating him for assignment.
Doug Miller of MLB.com reports surgery is likely the only option to treat Ballard High School alum and Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Shawn Kelley‘s injured pitching elbow.
In Baseball America’s survey of best AA tools Eastern League managers and scouts voted Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere the fastest baserunner in the league, and Texas League managers and scouts voted former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll as the best outfield arm in the league. (Subscription required)
Louisville Bats right-handed pitcher Jared Burton sat down for a question-and-answer session with Jason Stella of the Bats’ media relations department.

BluGrass Baseball MLB May Awards

Major League Baseball

Corey Hart; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

In the final May awards post we’ll look at the standout performances among Kentucky natives in Major League Baseball. Remember, players need only to have been born in the state or attended school here to qualify:

Hitter of the month: Corey Hart (Bowling Green, Brewers)

Stats: 23-91 (.253), 10 HR, 22 RBI, 16 R,
Honorable Mention: Dan Uggla (Louisville, Marlins), Mark Reynolds (Pikeville, Diamondbacks), Austin Kearns (Lexington, Indians)

Pitcher of the month: Tyler Clippard (Lexington, Nationals)

Stats: 4-3, 3.24 ERA, 14 G, 17 SO, 16.2 IP
Honorable Mention: Jon Rauch (Louisville, Twins), Scott Downs (Louisville, Blue Jays), Shawn Kelley (Louisville, Mariners)

Kentuckians on MLB Opening Day rosters

Major League Baseball

Throughout the season you can view the Kentuckians on Major League rosters list by accessing the “Ky. in the Majors” tab at the top of the page or clicking this link. But with MLB’s first official game set to start in just hours I thought I’d post the list of Kentucky natives or college alumni that made Major League Opening Day rosters here:

National League

Joe Blanton SP (DL) — Franklin-Simpson High School, UK — Philadelphia Phillies
Tyler Clippard RP — Lexington, Ky. (HS-Fla.) — Washington Nationals
Aaron Cook SP — Fort Campbell, Ky. (HS-Ohio) — Colorado Rockies
Sean Green RP — Louisville, Ky., UofL — New York Mets
Corey Hart OF — Bowling Green, Ky. — Milwaukee Brewers
Trever Miller RP — Louisville, Ky. — St. Louis Cardinals
Mark Reynolds 3B — Pikeville, Ky., (HS-Va.) — Arizona Diamondbacks
Dan Uggla 2B — Louisville, Ky., (HS-Tenn.) — Florida Marlins
Brandon Webb SP (DL) — Ashland, Ky., UK — Arizona Diamondbacks
Todd Wellemeyer SP — Louisville, Ky., Bellarmine — San Fransisco Giants
Cory Wade RHP (DL) — Kentucky Wesleyan — Los Angeles Dodgers

American League

Scott Downs RP — Louisville, Ky., UK — Toronto Blue Jays
Jon Rauch RP — Louisville, Ky., Morehead State –Minnesota Twins
Shawn Kelley RP — Louisville, Ky., Austin Peay — Seattle Mariners
Austin Kearns OF — Lexington, Ky. — Cleveland Indians