Cowgill, Roe cut from respective MLB camps; Wright adapts to being UofL’s go-to hitter; Rauch could close for Blue Jays

Collin Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

The Arizona Diamondbacks have re-assigned Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill to minor league camp.
The Seattle Mariners have optioned Lexington native Chaz Roe to AAA Tacoma.
Aaron Fitt of Baseball America profiles University of Louisville junior infielder Ryan Wright, who is adapting to becoming a full-time second baseman after playing shortstop and right field during his first two seasons to get his bat in the lineup. (Subscription required)
Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch could be in line to close games for the Blue Jays if injuries keep Frank Fransisco and Octavio Dotel off the Opening Day roster.
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton was frustrated with his Tuesday start, but Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was unconcerned with the results.

Spring roundup: Adcock pitches three scoreless innings; Rauch, Magnuson and Venters also post scoreless outings

Major League Baseball

Nathan Adcock; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Stats and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock surrendered three hits in three scoreless innings in a start for the Kansas City Royals and has not surrendered a run this spring.
Former UK right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton surrendered two runs on seven hits in four innings while striking out three batters and walking none in a start for the Phillies.
In that same game Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch struck out one batter in one scoreless inning for the Blue Jays.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson retired one batter and surrendered one hit without giving up a run for the Oakland Athletics.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-1 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and is batting just .150 this spring as he battles for the backup catcher job.
Atlanta Braves left-handed reliever Jonny Venters pitched a scoreless inning versus the Cardinals.
In that same game Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 0-3.

Spring roundup: Jon Rauch, Chaz Roe, Sean Green and Scott Downs post scoreless appearances

Major League Baseball

Sean Green; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Friday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 1-2 with one run scored and a stolen base for the Minnesota Twins.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby tallied two walks and one RBI for the Detroit Tigers.
Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch pitched a scoreless inning for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lexington native Austin Kearns was 2-4 with one RBI for the Cleveland Indians.
In that same game Lexington native Chaz Roe pitched a scoreless inning for the Seattle Mariners.
Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green was credited with a hold after striking out one batter in a perfect inning for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs struck out one batter in a scoreless inning for the Los Angeles Angels.
In that same game Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-2 with one strikeout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis was 0-2 with one strikeout for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Baltimore Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds was 0-2 with one walk and two strikeouts versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

Spring roundup: Scott Downs, Sean Green and Matt Maloney post scoreless outings; Ben Revere leads off for Twins

Major League Baseball

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Stats and recaps from Tuesday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Louisville native and former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs struck out one batter in a scoreless inning for the Los Angeles Angels.
Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green pitched a scoreless inning for the Milwaukee Brewers and not surrendered a run in four innings this spring.
Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney was credited with save after striking out one batter in two perfect innings for the Cincinnati Reds.
Batting leadoff, Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 1-3 with one run scored for the Minnesota Twins.
Lexington native Austin Kearns was 0-4 with one strikeout for the Cleveland Indians.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby struck out in a pinch-hit appearance for the Detroit Tigers.
Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 1-2 with one walk and one run scored versus the Yankees.

Sunday roundup: Rauch, Roe, Green have scoreless outings

Major League Baseball

Sean Green; Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Stats and highlights from Sunday Kentucky Spring Training action:

Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch struck out one batter in a scoreless inning for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Lexington native Chaz Roe struck out two batters in a scoreless inning for the Seattle Mariners.
Louisville native and former UofL right-handed pitcher Sean Green surrendered two hits in a scoreless inning for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Louisville native Todd Wellemeyer took a loss after surrendering one run in two innings for the Chicago Cubs.
PLD alum A. J. Ellis walked in his only plate appearance and threw out a runner attempting to steal a base for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Former UofL right-handed pitcher Trystan Magnuson was credited with a blown save after surrendering two runs on three hits in two innings.
Former Kentucky Wesleyan right-handed pitcher Cory Wade was credited with a blown save after surrendering a solo home run in one inning of work for the Tampa Bay Rays.
Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill was 0-1 for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 0-1 for the Minnesota Twins.
Former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby was 0-1 for the Detroit Tigers.
Atlanta Braves second baseman Dan Uggla, who was born in Louisville, was 1-3 with one strikeout.
In that same game Braves left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, who was born in Pikeville, struck out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Almost 19 months after trying to return to UK, James Paxton finally signs professional contract with Seattle Mariners

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

James Paxton; Photo: UK Athletics

The end of former University of Kentucky left-handed pitcher James Paxton‘s long nightmare is finally over. The 2010 fourth-round draft pick has signed a professional contract with the Seattle Mariners. Paxton was the first supplemental-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2009 but elected to return to UK for his senior season. UK held Paxton out of competition after the NCAA accused him of violating its no-agent rule by allowing his advisor Scott Boras to directly negotiate contract details with the Blue Jays on his behalf. Paxton sued UK to prevent the university from forcing him to speak with NCAA investigators, but a Kentucky Circuit Court judge ruled UK could withhold him from competition.

On Feb. 26, 2010, BluGrass Baseball broke the story that Paxton had left the UK baseball team after losing an appeal in the case. Paxton started four games for Grand Prairie of the Independent American Association prior to the 2010 draft, where he slid all the way to the fourth round to the Mariners. Paxton is the last 2010 draft pick to sign a professional contract since the Aug. 15 deadline for other drafted college players to sign did not apply to him as an independent league pitcher. Paxton was 11-5 with a 4.91 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 55 games during his UK career. (Read more)

Hart to miss two weeks with rib cage injury; Rauch almost ready to pitch in a game; Webb fine after mound session

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart will miss two weeks with a strained muscle along his left rib cage.
Ken Fidlin of Toronto Sun reports Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch is getting closer to game-readiness.
Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb felt fine on Monday after his 10-minute mound session on Sunday and has a second mound session planned for Tuesday.
Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among his weekend losers. (subscription required)
Rogers also lists UofL among his 25 teams outside the Perfect Game top 25 to watch.

UofL is team on the rise; Kime, Littrell among top freshmen draft prospects; Rauch known for more than height

College Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among his 25 teams outside of Perfect Game’s top 15 rankings to watch. (Subscription required)
Allan Simpson of Perfect Game ranks University of Kentucky left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell the NO. 51 freshman draft prospect in the country and UofL right-handed pitcher Dace Kime the NO. 67 freshman prospect. (subscription required)
Mark Zwolinski of The Toronto Star profiles Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch, who he writes “brings a towering presence” to the Blue Jays bullpen as the tallest player in MLB history.
Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, will not pitch in the Cactus League for at least several days after experiencing shoulder soreness early in camp.
Steve Kornacki of MLive.com reports former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby will get the start at first base in the Detroit Tigers exhibition opener Friday.

Jon Rauch returns to mound after ankle injury; Todd Wellemeyer finds comfort in returning to former team

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Todd Wellemeyer; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest hits from around Kentucky baseball:

Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports Louisville native and former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher Jon Rauch threw his first bullpen session of the spring after missing his previous session with a twisted ankle.
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports Louisville native and former Bellarmine right-handed pitcher Todd Wellemeyer returned to the Chicago Cubs in part because of his experience with the organization, which drafted him out of college.
Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb only experienced normal soreness after his brief throwing session Thursday.
Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports the Seattle Mariners still hope to sign former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton, who was the team’s fourth-round pick in 2010.
Chad Bishop of the Bowling Green Daily News recaps Western Kentucky University‘s opening-day win over Bowling Green St., noting WKU head coach Chris Finwood said he was “very proud” of sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins‘ start.
Brad Stephens of the College Heights Herald also recaps the WKU 12-1 win.

Perfect Game previews Sun Belt, OVC; Rauch injured in Jays camp; Downs may compete for Angels closer job

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Jon Rauch; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA previews the Sun Belt Conference and Ohio Valley Conference among others. Rogers picks Western Kentucky University to finish fourth in the Sun Belt, but ranks senior catcher Matt Rice the best hitter in the league. Rice, junior outfielder Kes Carter and redshirt junior reliever Rye Davis were each selected to the All-Sun Belt team, and Carter was ranked the top 2011 draft prospect in the conference. WKU junior shortstop Logan Robins ranked No. 2 on the 2011 prospects list, and Davis, Rice, and junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell were also included on the list. Sophomore pitchers Tanner Perkins and Taylor Haydel were ranked among the top 2012 draft prospects.
In the OVC preview Rogers picks Eastern Kentucky University to finish fifth, Murray State University to finish sixth and Morehead State University to finish eighth. Rogers selected Morehead St. junior catcher Taylor Davis to the all-OVC team. Davis was ranked the No. 3 2011 draft prospect in the conference, and EKU sophomore right-handed pitcher Anthony Bazzani ranked No. 5 on the 2012 draft prospects list.
Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times reports former UK left-handed pitcher and Louisville native Scott Downs has a chance to open the season as the Angels’ closer if Fernando Rodney pitches poorly during Spring Training.
Ken Fidlin of the Toronto Sun reports former Morehead St. right-handed pitcher and Louisville native Jon Rauch turned his ankle and may miss a few days of Blue Jays’ camp as a result.
Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports former UK right-handed pitcher and Ashland native Brandon Webb hopes to be ready for Opening Day.