Gaynor picked as Tigers best MiLB performer; Playoff previews; Calhoun named pitcher of week

Minor League Baseball

Jacob Goebbert; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Lynn Henning of The Detroit News highlights the best 2010 performances from Detroit Tigers minor leaguers and picks former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor as the standout offensive performer. Henning highlighted former UK infielder Ryan Strieby‘s balky wrist as the most ominous injury.
MiLB.com previews the Southern League playoffs and spotlights former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill in the series between Mobile and Jacksonville.
Jason Stella of the Louisville Bats‘ media relations department previews the team’s playoff series with Durham.
Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader recaps the Lexington Legends season, highlighting standout performances including outfielder Jacob Goebbert‘s RBI and doubles records.
Former Murray St. right-handed pitcher Daniel Calhoun was named Midwest League pitcher of the week after going 3-0 without giving up a run for Quad Cities.

Cowgill, Sappelt, Valaika, Balentien named to all-league teams

Minor League Baseball

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was named to the All-Southern League postseason team. Current Louisville Bats outfielder Dave Sappelt was also selected to the team for his work for AA Carolina.
Bats second baseman Chris Valaika and outfielder Wladimir Balentien were selected to the All-International League postseason team.
First baseman Yonder Alonso, catcher Corky Miller and right-handed pitcher Carlos Fisher joined left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman as Bats promoted to Cincinnati with the September expansion of rosters.
Jason Stella of the Bats’ media relations department recently sat down for an interview with the newest Cincinnati Red: Yonder Alonso.
John Manuel of Baseball America breaks down the best prospects in the Arizona Fall League, including Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere.

MiLB Roundup: Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Wunderlich, Gaynor have big nights; Ross loses in high A debut

Minor League Baseball

Jordan Newton; Photo by MWLguide via Flickr

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

The Lexington Legends scored seven runs in the ninth inning to defeat the West Virginia Power 12-8. Outfielder Jacob Goebbert blasted his fifth home run of the season and drove in three runs for Lexington.
The Bowling Green Hot Rods mustered just five hits in a 1-0 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts. Right-handed pitcher Tyree Hayes recorded his second straight scoreless appearance since joining the Hot Rods with two and two-third innings of five-hit ball.
The Louisville Bats were off for the AAA All-Star break.
Former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-2 for the South Division team in the Southern League All-Star game.
Former UofL infielder and 2010 draftee Phil Wunderlich had his best game to-date with a 4-5, one home run, two double, five RBI, two run scored performance for short-season Hudson Valley. Wunderlich has hits in eight straight games and is batting .358 on the season.
Former UofL infielder Logan Johnson was 2-4 with a home run and two RBI for high A Winston-Salem.
Former WKU catcher Jordan Newton extended his hitting streak to five games for high A Bradenton since being signed out of independent league ball by the Pirates last week. Newton was 2-4 with a double Monday and is 8-17 (.471) in five games.
Former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor was 3-5 with four RBI for low A West Michigan.
LCA alum Robbie Ross made his debut for high A Bakersfield but took the loss after surrendering four runs, two of which were earned, in four and one-third innings.

Hart wants to stay with Brewers; Cowgill an All-Star; Webb’s rehab progressing; Miller approaching vesting option

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Brandon Webb; Photo by SD Dirk via Flickr

Roundup of the latest stories from around Kentucky baseball:

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart wants to stay with the Milwaukee Brewers despite the swarm of trade rumors surrounding him.
The Birmingham Press-Register reports former University of Kentucky outfielder and Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Collin Cowgill has been named to the AA Southern League All-Star team to replace a promoted player.
Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports Ashland native and Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb felt good after his latest throwing session and may face hitters shortly after the All-Star break.
Business First of Louisville reports the Louisville Bats rank second in the International League in home attendance.
Mike Axisa of MLBTradeRumors reports Louisville native and St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Trever Miller‘s $2 million 2011 contract option will vest automatically with 14 more appearances.
A name to watch for Lexington Legends fans: The Astros have signed top 16-year-old Dominican Republic outfielder Ariel Ovando, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. Ovando could end up in Lexington in the next couple of years.

Heisey, Alonso named to AFL All-Star team

Minor League Baseball

afl Two members of the 2009 Louisville Bats playoff team have been named to the “Rising Stars” All-Star game in the prestigious Arizona Fall League. Outfielder Chris Heisey and 1B Yonder Alonso will both play for the East team in the game that will air on the MLB Network Saturday. Heisey is batting .373 with three home runs and 11 RBI through his first 15 games with the Peoria Saguaros. Teammate Alonso is batting .265 with two home runs and 13 RBI.

Baseball America recently ranked Heisey the 14th best prospect in the AA Southern League and 20th best prospect in the AAA International League. BA ranked Alonso the fourth best prospect in the high A Florida State League. Heisey batted .278 with nine home runs and 37 RBI in 63 games for Louisville, and .314 with 22 home runs and 77 RBI in 134 total games in 2009. Alonso, who played with the Bats during the 2009 playoffs, batted .292 with nine home runs and 52 RBI in 84 games between rookie league and AA.