Stephen Shackleford

Kentucky Rookie MiLB Leaderboard

Minor League Baseball

Yesterday we looked at the hitting and pitching leaderboards for full-season Kentucky minor leaguers in advance of the BluGrass Baseball MiLB awards post. If you saw that post you already know former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer was named the rookie of the year, but looking at the statistical leaders among players that made their professional debuts in 2010 is still helpful.

Batting Average (2.7 PA/team game)

  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – .330
  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – .295
  • Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – .291
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .290
  • Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .289

On-base Percentage

  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .415
  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – .401
  • Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .372
  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – .372
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – .372

Slugging Percentage

  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – .535
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) — .478
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – .449
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – .435
  • Lance Ray (Low A Beloit) – .417

Runs

  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 40
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – 34
  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – 32
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 32
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 31

HR

  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 14
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 5
  • Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – 5
  • Adam Duvall (SS Salem-Keizer) – 4
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 4
  • Jayson Langfels (SS Tri-City) – 4

RBI

  • Andrew Clark (SS Spokane) – 41
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 39
  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 36
  • Phil Wunderlich (SS Hudson Valley) – 36
  • Richie Rowland (R Missoula) – 34

Stolen Bases

  • Cameron Conner (R Idaho Falls) – 15
  • Marcus Nidiffer (SS Tri-City) – 9
  • Matt Payton (R GCL Phillies) – 9
  • Wes Cunningham (SS Eugene) – 7
  • Chris Bisson (SS Eugene) – 5
  • Drew Lee (R Bristol) – 5

Hit the jump to see the pitching leaders.

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MiLB Roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods lose; Revere tallies 4 hits, steals 3 bases; Shaffer, Wilson homer

Minor League Baseball

Ben Revere; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats opened their three-game series against Toledo with an 8-3 loss. First baseman Todd Frazier was 2-3 with a run scored.
  • The Lexington Legends couldn’t salvage a series split in its final road game of the season after suffering a 6-5 loss to Kannapolis. Catcher Ben Heath was 2-3 with a triple and two RBI.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods opened their four-game series with Fort Wayne with a 3-2 loss. No Hot Rods batter tallied multiple hits in the game.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 4-5 with a run scored and three stolen bases for AA New Britain.
  • Former UK outfielder Antone DeJesus was 3-4 with a double, triple and two runs scored.
  • Former UofL outfielder Boomer Whiting was 3-4 with a run scored for AAA Syracuse.
  • Former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer slugged his ninth home run of the season for high A High Desert.
  • Covington native Neil Wilson slugged his fifth home run of the season for AAA New Orleans.
  • St. Mary’s alum Shawn Roof was 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored for AAA Toledo.
  • Louisville native Stephen Shackleford earned his second win of the season after throwing three scoreless innings for short-season Salem-Keizer.
  • Former Murray St. first baseman and 2010 Padres draftee Wes Cunningham singled in four at-bats to extend his hitting streak to 11 games for short-season Eugene.

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

Minor League Baseball

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: 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.

Kentuckians among ABCA Division II, III and NAIA All-Americans

College Baseball

The American Baseball Coaches Association has released its Division I, II and NAIA All-American teams and several Kentucky players made the cut. Check out those players below. You can see the entire NAIA, Division II and Division III teams by clicking each of the links:

Division II Second Team

  • OF Jason Crisper — Northern Kentucky University

Division II Third Team

  • RHP Kevin Jordan — NKU

Division III Third Team

  • SP Paul Uhl — Thomas Moore College

NAIA First Team

  • OF Troy Frazier — Louisville, Ky. — Cumberland (Tenn.)

NAIA Second Team

  • SP Stephen Shackleford — Louisville, Ky. — SCAD

2010 Draftees Minor League Debuts

Minor League Baseball

Marcus Nidiffer; BluGrass Baseball photo

Most of the 2010 draftees who have already signed professional contracts have a few Minor League games under their belt by now so I thought I’d update you on their early performances. Check out the list below, organized by draft position, with Minor League team listed and Kentucky connection in parentheses:

  • RHP Thomas Royse (UofL) — Great Falls Voyagers — 0-0, 1 GS, 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO
  • 2B Chris Bisson (UK) — Eugene Emeralds — Has not played
  • OF Lance Ray (UK) — Elizabethton Twins — 5-23 (.217), 2 RBI, 2 R
  • SS Jonathan Roof (Paducah) — AZL Rangers — Has not played
  • RHP Neil Holland (UofL) — Vermont Lake Monsters — 0-0, 2 G, 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
  • 2B Adam Duvall (UofL) — Salem-Keizer Volcanoes — 2-11 (.182), 3 R
  • SS Drew Lee (Morehead St.) — Bristol White Sox — 8-23 (.348), 5 RBI, 3 R
  • 1B Andrew Clark (UofL) — Spokane Indians — 11-28 (.393), 2 RBI, 3 R
  • 3B Michael Mosby (Hawesville) — Bluefield Orioles — 4-10 (.400), 1 RBI, 3 R
  • RHP Patrick Cooper (Danville) — Not assigned to a team
  • 3B Jayson Langfels (EKU) — Tri-City Dust Devils — 2-15 (.133), 1 RBI
  • 1B Wes Cunningham (Murray St.) — Eugene Emeralds — 1-14 (.071), 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
  • OF Cameron Conner (Frankfort) — AZL Royals — 3-18 (.167), 1 RBI
  • C Jeff Arnold (UofL) — Salem-Keizer Volcanoes — 4-14 (.286), 2 R
  • 2B Matt Payton (WKU) — GCL Phillies — 2-19 (.105)
  • RHP Matt Little (UK) — Connecticut Tigers — 0-0, 4 G, 1 SV, 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
  • LHP Jarrett Casey (NKU) — Bristol White Sox — 0-1, 2 G, 1 SV, 2.2 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO
  • 1B Tyler Oliver (Lexington) — 7-18 (.389), 5 RBI, 2 R
  • RHP Stephen Shackleford (Louisville) — 0-1, 2 G, 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO
  • LHP Dean Kiekhefer (UofL) — 0-1, 1 G, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • OF Jeremy Shelby (Lexington) — Bluefield Orioles — 1-8 (.125), 2 R, 1 SB
  • LHP Bart Carter (WKU) — Fort Myers Miracle — 3 G, 4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO
  • RHP Matt Ridings (WKU) — Out for season after Tommy John Surgery
  • 2B Patrick Brady (Bellarmine) — AZL Mariners — 0-4, 1 R
  • LHP Bob Revesz (UofL) — Johnson City Cardinals — 0-0, 1 G, 2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO
  • C Marcus Nidiffer (UK) — Greenville Astros — 7-16  (.438), 2 RBI, 2 R
  • 3B Gunner Glad (UK) — Elizabethton Twins — 5-20 (.200), 3 R
  • RHP Tyler Gatrell (Boyd Co.) — AZL Royals — 0-0, 2 G, 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO
  • OF J. D. Ashbrook (Morehead St.) — 2-11 (.182), 1 R
  • C Richie Rowland (Campbellsville) — 9-17 (.529), 3 RBI, 3 R

Shackleford signs; Cowgill honored; Webb throws again; Paxton, Perry in negotiations with MLB teams

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball


Latest Kentucky-related baseball news:

  • Trinity High School alum and Savannah College of Art and Design junior right-handed pitcher Stephen Shackleford has signed a professional contract with the San Francisco Giants as the teams 35th round pick according to a SCAD news release.
  • Earlier this week we reported Franklin County High School alum and Indiana University Southeast junior outfielder Cameron Conner had signed with the Royals as the team’s 20th round pick. For more information about Conner check out the video above and this story from the IUSE media relations department about Conner being the school’s first ever MLB draft selection.
  • Former University of Kentucky outfielder and Lexington native Collin Cowgill was selected to Baseball America‘s weekly Prospect Hot Sheet. Cowgill checked in at No. 12 on the list while 2009 Lexington Legend Jordan Lyles was ranked No. 2 and 2009 Bowling Green Hot Rod Matt Moore was ranked No. 7. Former University of Louisville third baseman Chris Dominguez was included on the “Not-So Hot Sheet.”
  • Ashland native and former UK pitcher Brandon Webb was satisfied with his most recent bullpen session as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
  • Former UK pitcher James Paxton‘s father spoke with Lyndon Little of the Vancouver Sun and said the family was thrilled Paxton was selected by the Seattle Mariners.
  • Boyle County native and UK signee Blake Perry hasn’t decided whether he will sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks as the team’s sixth-round pick or attend UK, Larry Vaught of the Danville Advocate Messenger reports.

MLB Draft Day Three Breakdown

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

Matt Rice bats for WKU: BluGrass Baseball photo

Kentucky selections from the third and final day of the MLB amateur player’s draft:

  • 31st Round (943) — RHP Matt Little — UK — Tigers
  • 32nd Round (959) — RHP Justin Hageman — Hopkinsville High School — Royals
  • 32nd Round (968) — LHP Jarrett Casey — NKU — White Sox
  • 35th Round (1046) — 1B Tyler Oliver — Wabash Valley JC (LCA, UK verbal) — Nationals
  • 35th Round (1068) — RHP Stephen Shackleford — Savannah College of Art & Design (Trinity HS) — Giants
  • 35th Round (1073) — SS J.T. Riddle — Western Hills High School (UK signee) — Red Sox
  • 36th Round (1080) — RHP Rye Davis — WKU — Indians
  • 36th Round (1099) — LHP Dean Kiekhefer — UofL — Cardinals
  • 37th Round (1116) — RHP Chad Green — Effingham, Ill. (UofL signee) — Blue Jays
  • 38th Round (1138) — CF Jeremy Shelby — Grambling St. (Lexington) — Orioles
  • 38th Round (1162) — OF Lucas Witt — Lexington Christian Academy (UK signee) — Dodgers
  • 39th Round (1180) — RHP Casey Lucchese — College of Charleston (Paul Laurence Dubar) — Cubs
  • 39th Round (1185) — LHP Bart Carter — WKU — Twins
  • 41st Round (1229) — RHP Matt Ridings — WKU — Royals
  • 42nd Round (1286) — LHP Corey Littrell — Trinity High School (UK signee) — Nationals
  • 44th Round (1345) — LHP David Middendorf — NKU — Yankees
  • 45th Round (1358) — OF Ronald Cotton — Boone County HS — White Sox
  • 47th Round (1418) — 2B Matt Reida — Indiana (UK signee) — White Sox
  • 48th Round (1452) — INF Patrick Brady — Bellarmine — Mariners
  • 49th Round (1489) — LHP Bob Revesz — UofL — Cardinals
  • 50th Round (1525) — C Matt Rice — WKU — Yankees