University of Arkansas baseball

Baseball America releases early draft preview

College Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

Baseball America has projected Arkansas third baseman and PRP-alum Zack Cox to be drafted in the first round in its early draft preview. Jim Callis of BA cautions that February is too early to take much stock in mock drafts, but he picks Cox to be drafted No. 12 nonetheless. (Read more, subscription required)

In conjunction with its 2010 NCAA preview, BA has also released its top 100 college draft prospects and 10 50 prospects in each class lists with several Kentucky players making the cut. On the top 100 college prospects list Cox ranks seventh, University of Kentucky left-handed pitcher James Paxton ranks twenty-first, Boyle County alum Patrick Cooper ranks sixtieth, UK pitcher Logan Darnell ranks eighty-first and UK second baseman Chris Bisson ranks ninety-eighth. (Read more, subscription required)

Among college freshman, UK lefty Taylor Rogers ranks twenty-second, and University of Louisville right-handed pitcher Matt Koch ranks forty-first. UK right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer checks in at No. 5 on the sophomore list, just ahead of fifth-ranked Cox. UofL right-handed pitcher Tony Zych ranks forty-sixth among sophomores, and Cooper ranks fiftieth. No Kentucky juniors cracked the top 50, but Paxton ranks first among seniors, UofL first baseman Andrew Clark ranks twenty-sixth and Murray State first baseman Wes Cunningham ranks thirty-seventh. (Read more, subscription requried)

BA names Cox SEC preseason POY; UK picked to finish 6th but make NCAA

College Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

PRP-alum and Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox was named Baseball America‘s preseason Southeastern Conference player of the year in the magazine’s SEC preview. BA also selected the University of Kentucky to finish sixth in the SEC East, but still make the NCAA tournament. No UK player was selected to the preseason All-Conference team, but Cox was selected as the team’s third baseman.

UK freshman left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers was named the No. 7 newcomer in the league. Left-handed pitcher James Paxton was selected as the No. 5 SEC prospect for the 2010 draft, while right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer was ranked the No. 2 prospect in the 2011 draft. (Read more; subscription required)

Mr. Baseball: Where are they now?

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball
Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

While browsing the Ky. High School Record Book I stumbled across the list of Kentucky Mr. Baseballs. Did you know that seven Mr. Baseball’s have appeared in the major leagues in the last two seasons? With that in mind I thought I’d update you on the status of the Mr. Kentucky Baseballs, their 2009 team or most recent baseball status is listed.

  • 1989 — Tab Brown — St. Xavier — Drafted 1989 Atlanta Braves
  • 1990 — Darren Burton — Pulaski Co. — Retired 2001 AAA Altoona (Pirates)
  • 1991 — Trever Miller — Trinity — St. Louis Cardinals
  • 1992 — Shon Walker — Harrison Co. — Retired 1998 High A Lynchburg (Pirates)
  • 1993 — Dion Newby — Harrison Co. — Played at North Alabama
  • 1994 — Scott Downs — PRP — Toronto Blue Jays
  • 1995 — Brad Wilkerson — Apollo — Retired 2008 (Rangers)
  • 1996 — Aaron McGlone — Greenup Co. — Last season at UK 2000
  • 1997 — Scott Hodges — Henry Clay — Retired 2005 AAA Edmonton
  • 1998 — Austin Kearns — Lafayette — Washington Nationals
  • 1999 — Joe Blanton — Franklin-Simpson — Philadelphia Phillies
  • 2000 — Spencer Graeter — Ballard — Graduated from UK 2004
  • 2001 — Jeremy Sowers — Ballard — Cleveland Indians
  • 2002 — Brad Corley — PRP — AA Tulsa (Rockies)
  • 2003 — Josh Ellis — PLD — Los Angeles Dodgers
  • 2004 — Collin Cowgill — Henry Clay — High A Visalia (D’Backs)
  • 2005 — Chaz Roe — Lafayette — AA Tulsa (Rockies)
  • 2006 — Nathan Adcock — North Hardin — High A Lynchburg (Pirates)
  • 2007 — Ben Revere — Lexington Catholic — High A Fort Meyers (Twins)
  • 2008 — Zack Cox — PRP — University of Arkansas
  • 2009 — Luke Maile — Covington Catholic — UK