Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

South Atlantic League baseball

Lexington Legends
at Delmarva Shorebirds

What: Three-game series

When: Wednesday through Friday (7:05 each night)

Where: Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (Salisbury, Md.)

Major League affiliates: Kansas City Royals (Legends), Baltimore Orioles (Shorebirds)

Legends probable pitchers: Wednesday, RH Miguel Almonte (0-3, 5.50); Thursday, RH Christian Binford (1-2, 3.74); Friday, LH Colin Rodgers (1-1, 3.66).

Alec Mills

Legend to watch: RHP Alec Mills (6-foot-4, 187 pounds, age 21, from Clarksville, Tenn.) is 1-1 with a 2.63 ERA and two saves over seven relief appearances spanning 13 2/3 innings. Mills has struck out 19 and walked two while holding opponents to a .149 batting average. Selected in the 22nd round of the 2012 draft out of Tennessee-Martin, he set a UTM record with 30 appearances as a sophomore in 2011. As a junior, he struck out 74 over 89 innings, compiling a 3.94 ERA. As a high school athlete in Cunningham, Tenn., he was Male Athlete of the Year all four years at Montgomery Central. He made his pro debut last year with Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League, getting seven starts in 17 appearances. He finished 1-4 with three saves and a 4.62 ERA over 50 2/3 innings, with 50 strikeouts to 17 walks.

Christian Walker

Shorebird to watch: 1B Christian Walker (6-0, 220, age 22, from Limerick, Pa., bats and throws right) shares the lead or has it outright for Delmarva in average (.360), games (24), runs (17), hits (31), total bases (44), walks (10), on-base percentage (.440) and OPS (.952). He is second on the team with 16 RBI and three home runs. A 2012 fourth-round draft pick out of South Carolina, Walker is rated by Baseball America as the 12th-best prospect in the Orioles system. He turned down the Dodgers when he was drafted in the 49th round out of high school, going on to win two NCAA titles with the Gamecocks. He tied the College World Series record for career hits (28), then signed with the Orioles for $349,000. He spent last season with Aberdeen of the New York-Penn League, batting .284 with two homers and nine RBI over 22 games.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

Mike Kvasnicka

Lexington Legends third baseman Mike Kvasnicka has been added to the Southern Division roster for next week’s South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

The 52nd annual all-star contest will be played Tuesday at Salisbury, Md., home of the Delmarva Shorebirds.

Kvasnicka was named Friday as a replacement for Kyle Roller. The Charleston RiverDogs utility infielder is injured.

Kvasnicka, batting .292 with three homers, 37 RBI and 35 runs over 61 games, will join three Legends at Delmarva — shortstop Jiovanni Mier, catcher/designated hitter Chris Wallace and right fielder Adam Bailey.

Also added to the Southern roster Friday were Augusta pitcher Shawn Sanford, Asheville infielder Brett Tanos and Charleston outfielder Ramon Flores.

Sanford replaces Savannah’s Josh Edgin and Tanos takes the place of Savannah’s Robbie Shields. Both Sand Gnats have been promoted to the High-A St. Lucie Mets of the Florida State League.

Charleston’s Slade Heathcott will miss the all-star game due to injury, so Savannah’s Cory Vaughn will move into the starting lineup in center field. Flores takes the reserve spot that Vaughn had occupied.

No changes have been made to the Northern roster.

Baseball

South Atlantic
    League
 

Lexington Legends vs. Delmarva Shorebirds

What: Five-game series

When: Friday through Tuesday (7:05 each night except Sunday, 5:05 p.m.)

Where: Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (Salisbury, Md.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Baltimore Orioles

Juan Minaya

Jose Cisnero

Luis Cruz

Zach Grimmett

Tanner Bushue

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Juan Minaya (4-10, 5.17) vs. RH Brent Allar (2-1, 4.50); Saturday, RH Jose Cisnero (6-5, 4.00) vs. RH Kenny Moreland (6-5, 3.33); Sunday, LH Luis Cruz (5-3, 3.60) vs. RH Jesse Beal (7-6, 3.86); Monday, RH Zach Grimmett (4-2, 3.81) vs. RH Pat Kantakevich (0-4, 3.98); Tuesday, RH Tanner Bushue (5-6, 4.32) vs. RH Bobby Bundy (2-4, 3.96).

Michael Flacco

Shorebird to watch: 1B/3B Michael Flacco (6-foot-5, 220 pounds, from Audobon, N.J.) is 11-for-32 (.344) with an RBI and a run scored in nine games since being promoted from the Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York-Penn League. Over 30 games with Aberdeen, Flacco hit .250 with 16 RBI and 12 runs. The younger brother of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, he was selected by the Orioles in the 31st round of the 2009 draft, out of the Community College of Baltimore County-Catonsville. Flacco played 65 games last season — 60 with the Bluefield Orioles of the Appalachian League and five with Delmarva — and hit a combined .263 with three homers, 35 RBI and 28 runs. Before turning pro, he missed two seasons of athletic competition due to a stress fracture in his back.

Bubby Williams

Legends to watch: C David “Bubby” Williams (6-0, 190, from Las Vegas, Nev.) joined the Legends on Thursday, taking the roster spot vacated when C Jordan Comadena was transferred to the Lancaster JetHawks of the California League. Williams, an 11th round draft pick of the Astros last year, hit .244 with five homers, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored over 25 games this season with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League. Over 11 road games, Williams hit .429, but over 14 home games his average was .093. Drafted out of Crowder (Mo.) Community College, Williams played 39 games with Greeneville last year, hitting .202 with four homers, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored. A free swinger, over his 64 pro games, Williams has struck out 60 times while drawing five walks.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic
     League

Lexington Legends vs. Delmarva Shorebirds

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 2:05 Sunday afternoon)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Baltimore Orioles

Luis Cruz

Zach Grimmett

Juan Minaya

Tanner Bushue

Legends probable pitchers: Thursday, LH Luis Cruz (4-2, 3.54); Friday, RH Zach Grimmett (4-0, 3.07) ; Saturday, RH Tanner Bushue (5-6, 4.45) ; Sunday, RH Juan Minaya (4-10, 5.32). Note: Delmarva’s rotation will be determined upon arrival in Lexington.

Steve Bumbry

Shorebird to watch: CF Steve Bumbry (5-foot-10, 190 pounds, from Gilbert, Ariz.), a 2009 12th round draft pick out of Virginia Tech, is the son of former Orioles all-star Al Bumbry. Like his father, Steve Bumbry is a left-handed hitting CF. He also has been used sparingly at both corner OF spots, as well as DH. Through 91 games, Bumbry is hitting .272 with three homers, 31 RBI, 38 runs and nine stolen bases. Of his 88 hits, 35 have been for extra bases, including 23 doubles and nine triples. Bumbry broke in last season with the Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York-Penn League, batting .234 with a pair of homers and 10 RBI over 45 games.

Grant Hogue

Legend to watch: CF Grant Hogue (6-1, 190, from Hattiesburg, Miss.) is hitting .272 with 23 RBI, 38 runs and 17 stolen bases over 80 games. A 2009 35th-round draft pick out of Mississippi State University, has hits in four of his last six games, including three two-hit contests. Hogue broke into pro ball last year with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League. Over 53 games, he hit .284 with a homer, 14 RBI and 17 stolen bases.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic
    League

Lexington Legends vs. Savannah Sand Gnats

What: Four-game series

Where: Applebee’s Park

When: Saturday through Tuesday (7:05 Saturday, Monday and Tuesday nights, 2:05 Sunday afternoon)

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), New York Mets

Zach Grimmett

Tanner Bushue

Jose Cisnero

Juan Minaya

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, RH Zach Grimmett (4-0) vs. RH Armando Rodriguez (5-6, 3.12); Sunday, RH Tanner Bushue (5-5, 4.55) vs. LH Jimmy Fuller (7-3, 2.06); Monday, RH Juan Minaya (4-9, 5.71) vs. LH Darin Gorski (3-5, 3.82); Tuesday, RH Jose Cisnero (5-5, 4.06) vs. RH Taylor Whitenton (5-5, 4.14). 

Cesar Puello

Sand Gnat to watch: RF Cesar Puello (6-foot-2, 195 pounds, from La Romana, Dominican Republic) is hitting .269 with 25 RBI and a team-leading 69 runs scored over 89 games through Thursday. Eighteen of his 87 hits have been doubles, and he leads the Gnats in stolen bases with 36 in 43 attempts. He has hits in 10 of his last 11 games — 14-for-42 (.333) — and drew a walk in the lone hitless game. Since the all-star break, he is batting .313, and .315 in June. Signed by the Mets for $400,000 as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2007, Puello hit .305 for the Gulf Coast League Mets in 2008 and .296 for the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League in 2009. Over those two seasons, he was 28-for-38 on the basepaths. Coming into this season, Baseball America rated him the 17th-best prospect in the Mets system.

Colton Pitkin

Legend to watch: LHP Colton Pitkin (6-3, 224, from Baytown, Texas) has made 24 of his 25 appearances out of the bullpen, going 0-3 with one save, two holds and a 5.54 ERA. Over his last 10 outings, Pitkin has a 3.18 ERA with no decisions. Since the all-star break, spanning six games and 10 1/3 innings, his ERA is 2.61 with seven strikeouts and two walks. Selected by the Astros in the 41st round of the 2007 draft, Pitkin appeared in 24 games over the 2007-08 seasons with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League, going 2-2 with four saves. Last year, as a starter with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League, he was 4-8 with a 4.21 ERA.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Promotions, etc.: After four games against Savannah, the Legends have a day off Wednesday, then open a four-game home series against the Delmarva Shorebirds. … Saturday is Fireworks Night, with entertainment during the game by guest mascot Rally. Kids Club Sunday also is Ale-8-One Day. Monday is “Kids Eat Free” Night and Cartoon Network Move It Movement. Kraft Singles Tuesday also is Quarter Hot Dog Night. … Mike Tauser’s “Farmstros Five” Players of the Week are posted at: Farmstros

                 
Baseball

South Atlantic           League

Lexington Legends
                                     vs. Delmarva Shorebirds

What: Four-game series

Where: Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (Salisbury, Md.)

When: Thursday through Sunday (7:05 Thursday through Saturday nights, 2:05 p.m. Sunday)

Affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends); Baltimore Orioles

Jose Cisnero

Luis Cruz

B. Dydalewicz

Robby Donovan

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Jose Cisnero (3-3, 4.29) vs. LH Nathan Moreau (1-2, 3.35); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (2-0, 4.34) vs. RH Matt Hobgood (3-6, 4.48); Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (0-0, 4.15) vs. RH Jesse Beal (4-3, 2.98); Sunday, RH Robby Donovan (6-4, 2.41) vs. RH Kenny Moreland (2-2, 3.70).

Kieron Pope

Shorebird to watch: LF Kieron Pope (6-foot-1, 195 pounds, from Gray, Ga.) is batting .360 with three homers and 20 RBI over 22 games. Ten of his 31 hits have been for extra bases. Pope has hits in his last 10 games (17-for-38). Selected by the Orioles in the fourth round of the 2005 draft, his most productive minor-league season came with Delmarva in 2008, when he hit .232 with 12 homers and 45 RBI. He also earned Appalachian League All-Star honors with Bluefield in 2006.

Aaron Bray

Legend to watch: 1B Aaron Bray (6-0, 180, from Charlotte, N.C.) takes a 12-game hitting streak (18-for-43) into the final series of the first half of the season. Overall, Bray is batting .243 with 18 RBI over 39 games. In June, though, the left-handed hitter is 15-for-33 (.455), including two doubles and two triples, and has half his season RBI total. Drafted by the Astros, out of North Carolina Charlotte, in the 27th round of last year’s draft, Bray hit .278 with 20 RBI over 48 games last season with Greeneville of the Appalachian League.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Baseball

South Atlantic          League

Lexington Legends vs. Delmarva Shorebirds

What: Three-game series

Where: Applebee’s Park

When: Thursday through Saturday (7:05 each night)

Major League affiliations: Houston Astros (Legends), Baltimore Orioles

Tickets:   (859) 422-7867  

Jose Cisnero

Luis Cruz

Jesse Beal

Matt Hobgood

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, RH Jose Cisnero (3-3, 4.35) vs. LH Nathan Moreau (1-2, 3.70); Friday, LH Luis Cruz (1-0, 4.73) vs. RH Matt Hobgood (3-5, 4.40); Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Jesse Beal (4-3, 3.74).

Jake Smith

Shorebird to watch: LHP Jake Smith (6-foot-4, 215 pounds, from Owensboro) is 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA  and a team-high four holds over 17 relief appearances. Over 30 2/3 inngs, Smith has struck out 21 and walked nine. Selected by the Orioles in the 45th round of the 2007 draft, out of Brescia, he made one appearance with the Gulf Coast League Orioles that season, striking out four and walking one over two innings. He also make seven relief appearances for short-season Aberdeen, going 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA. In 2008, Smith was 1-1 with a 6.66 ERA over 11 games with Aberdeen. Last year, he split the season between Aberdeen (3-3, 2.15) and Delmarva (1-0, 0.00 over two games), earning mid-season all-star honors with Aberdeen in the New York-Penn League.

Brad Dydalewicz

Legend to watch: Saturday starter Brad Dydalewicz (6-1, 180, from Spicewood, Texas) made 22 starts for the Legends last season, going 8-5 with a 3.93 ERA, 78 strikeouts and 51 walks over 110 innings. This will mark is 2010 debut with the club, having started the season with the Lancaster JetHawks of the High-A California League. Dydalewicz trades places with another lefty, David Duncan, who has been promoted to Lancaster. With the JetHawks, Dydalewicz was 1-6 with an 11.39 ERA over 11 starts and 36 1/3 innings. He struggled to find the strike zone, issuing more walks (26) than strikeouts (22). Selected by the Astros in the eighth round of the 2008 draft, out of Lake Travis (Texas) High School, Dydalewicz appeared in four games that season with the Greeneville Astros, with no decisions and a 2.70 ERA.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Three-game series

When: Tuesday through Thurday (7:05 each night)

Where: McCormick Field (Asheville, N.C.)

Robert Bono

Legends RHP Ross Seaton is set to start Wednesday. (Staff photo/Mark Cornelison)

David Duncan

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Robert Bono (8-8, 3.41) vs. RH Alan DeRatt (2-3, 4.91); Wednesday, RH Ross Seaton (8-10, 3.31) vs. RH Carlos Luna (0-0, 7.56); Thursday, LH David Duncan (4-3, 4.24) vs. RH Juan Nicasio (8-3, 2.41).

Tourist to watch: Switch-hitting CF Delta Cleary Jr. (6-foot-3, 180 pounds, from Jonesboro, Ark.) entered the season as the 11th-best prospect in the Rockies system, according to Baseball America. Through Sunday, he is hitting .258 with seven homers and 43 RBI over 100 games. He has stolen 31 bases in 42 attempts and scored 50 runs. He had three hits in each game, Saturday and Sunday, at Bowling Green. Rated by Baseball America as “best athlete” in the Rockies system, Cleary is a cousin of NBA pro Shawn Marion. Cleary, a guard, averaged 13 points a game to help his high school to the Arkansas Class 6A state title. He also quarterbacked the football team. Cleary then led his junior-college baseball team to the Division II national championship. Selected by Colorado in the 37th round of the 2008 draft, out of Louisiana State-Eunice JC, Cleary broke in to pro ball last year with Casper of the Pioneer League. There, he hit .276 with three homers, nine RBI and four stolen bases in 27 games.

Michael Hacker

Legend to watch: LHP Michael Hacker (5-9, 175, from Folsom, Calif.) struck out two Saturday in a scoreless inning of relief against the Hickory Crawdads. That was his first appearance since July 16 and bodes well after a horrendous season up to that point. His numbers: 0-1, 2.69 ERA, 20 strikeouts, 15 walks. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 25th round of the 2008 draft, out of Cosumnes River (Calif.) Junior College, Hacker played for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League last year. Over 23 appearances, all in relief, Hacker went 1-3 with five saves and a 2.73 ERA. He worked 26 1/3 innings, striking out 27 and walking 17. He held opposing batters to a .187 average and did not allow an earned run in his first 17 games. He was especially tough on the road, with an ERA of 1.08.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

MVP Jordan Pacheco

Derek Norris, top prospect

Also of note: Former Lafayette High School and University of Kentucky standout Michael Bertram is the Eastern League Player of the Week. Bertram, a third baseman for the Double-A Erie (Pa.) SeaWolves, went 9-for-26 (.346) with two doubles, two triples and two homers. He drove in 11 runs, scored eight times, walked three times and finished with an .808 slugging percentage for six games. … No Legends were on the annual list of SAL all-stars revealed Monday. The Charleston RiverDogs led the way with three selections: RHP David Phelps, 3B Corban Joseph and Melky Mesa (utility OF). West Virginia’s Rudy Owens was named Most Outstanding Pitcher, going 10-1 with a 1.70 ERA over 19 games before being promoted to Lynchburg of the Carolina League. Hagerstown Suns catcher Derek Norris, batting .288 with 122 hits and 23 homers in 121 games, was tabbed Most Outstanding Major League Prospect. Asheville catcher Jordan Pacheco, batting .325 with 139 hits and 13 homers through 111 games, was named MVP. Selections came from a vote of SAL field managers, general managers, sportswriters and broadcasters. Lakewood’s Dusty Wathan was selected as manager, Greenville’s Bob Kipper as coach. Other players picked: Asheville’s Scott Robinson (OF); Hagerstown’s Stephen Lombardozzi (2B); Augusta’s Josh Mazzola (1B); Bowling Green’s Tim Beckham (SS); Delmarva’s Ronnie Welty (OF); Hickory’s Erik Morrison (utility IF), and Lakewood’s Anthony Gose (OF).

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Lakewood BlueClaws

What: Four-game series

When: Friday through Monday (7:05 each night except Sunday, 5:05 p.m.)

Where: FirstEnergy Ballpark (Lakewood, N.J.)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Ross Seaton (6-8, 2.57) vs. RH Jason Knapp (2-7, 4.01); Saturday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-8, 3.62) vs. RH Jesus Sanchez (5-5, 3.90); Sunday, RH Jordan Lyles (5-7, 2.92) vs. RH Heitor Correa (6-3, 3.56); Monday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (5-4, 3.47) vs. RH Trevor May (1-1, 3.34).

Travis d'Arnaud

BlueClaw to watch: C Travis d’Arnaud (6-foot-2, 195 pounds, from Lakewood, Calif.) leads Lakewood in RBI (49) and doubles (21), and shares the lead in homers (9). Hitting .236over 81 games, d’Arnaud ranks third on the club in runs scored (46) and walks (25). Rated by Baseball America as the seventh-best prospect in the Phillies organization when the season began, d’Arnaud was drafted out of Lakewood (Calif.) High School in 2007, a supplemental first-round pick and 37th overall. (His older brother Chase, a shortstop, was a 2008 fourth-round pick of the Pirates.) Travis made his pro debut with the Gulf Coast League Phillies in 2007, hitting .241 with four homers and 20 RBI over 41 games. Last year, he earned New York-Penn League all-star honors with the Williamsport Crosscutters, hitting .309 with four homers and 25 RBI over 48 games. He finished the season by playing 16 games with the BlueClaws, batting .297 with two homers and five RBI. What really attracted the Phillies, according to Baseball America, is d’Arnaud’s “premium catch-and-throw tools, such as soft hands, quick feet and plenty of arm strength.”

Brian Wabick

Legend to watch: RHP Brian Wabick (6-0, 180, from Des Plaines, Ill.) had one of his worst outings of the season (2.2 innings, 3 ER) Tuesday at Delmarva. As his record shows, though, most often he has been effective. He’s 5-0 with two holds and a 4.78 ERA over 24 games, including one spot start. Over 49 innings, he has 40 strikeouts to 14 walks. Over five July appearances, he is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 34th round of the 2007 draft, out of Oakton Community College in suburban Chicago, Wabick spent 2007 with Greeneville of the Appalachian League, then split 2008 between Greeneville and Tri-City of the New York-Penn League. His combined totals for those two seasons included a 3-4 record, eight saves, 4.11 ERA, 39 games, 81 innings, 67 strikeouts and 23 walks.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Delmarva’s rotation has changed, as noted below, since this preview was first posted.

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Delmarva Shorebirds

What: Four-game series

When: Monday through Thursday (7:05 each night)

Where: Arthur W. Perdue Stadium (Salisbury, Md.)

Probable pitcher (Legends listed first): Monday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-7, 3.30) vs. LH Nathan Moreau (2-2, 4.32); Tuesday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (5-3, 3.24) vs. LH Cole McMurray (3-7, 3.75); Wednesday, LH David Duncan (1-0, 9.00) vs. RH Ryan O’Shea (5-5, 3.75); Thursday, RH Robert Bono (8-5, 2.58) vs. RH Oliver Drake (4-6, 4.03).

Shorebird to watch: All-star RF Ronnie Welty (6-foot-2, 180 pounds, from Gilbert, Ariz.) leads Delmarva with a .301 batting average, 82 hits and 115 total bases, and shares the team lead of 40 RBI. He also has six homers, five stolen bases and 41 runs scored, with no errors, over 76 games. He is hitting .395 against left-handers, .265 versus righties. Originally drafted by the Angels in 2006 out of Mesquite High School (37th round), Welty instead played two seasons for Chandler-Gilbert Community College, then signed with Oral Roberts University. He wound up being selected by the Orioles in the 20th round of the 2008 draft. Playing for the rookie-league Bluefield Orioles last season, he hit .314 with three homers and 34 RBI over 55 games en route to earning Appalachian League post-season all-star honors.

Chris Jackson

Legend to watch: SS Chris Jackson (5-11, 185, from Midlothian, Va.) joined the Legends last week after starting the season with the High-A Lancaster JetHawks of the California League. Over 58 games, Jackson hit .183 with a homer and 15 RBI, so he traded roster spots with Legends IF Ronnie Ramirez. In his first three games of the season with the Legends, Jackson is 4-for-10 (including a triple) with a run and an RBI. Selected by the Astros in the 29th round of the 2008 draft, out of Virginia Commonwealth University, Jackson broke in last season by playing 22 games with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. There, he hit .257 with a homer and nine RBI. He was promoted to the Legends, where he hit .244 over 23 games, notching a homer, seven RBI and six stolen bases. He closed the season with eight hits in his last 16 at-bats.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300