Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Dates for the 2011 Reds Caravan will run Jan. 27-30, including a stop in Lexington on Jan. 30.

The Caravan — the Cincinnati Reds’ annual off-season goodwill tour — is scheduled to make 15 stops in four states over four days. The 2,600-mile-plus circuit will be split among three separate tours traveling simultaneously through Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and West Virginia.

All stops are open to the public at no charge. Caravan participants will field questions and, time permitting, sign autographs. At each stop, the Reds will raffle off two tickets to the March 31 Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jay Bruce

Lexington is the final stop on what is billed as the Southern Tour. The Lexington visit is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at The Shops at Lexington Center.

Southern Tour participants include outfielder Jay Bruce (Saturday and Sunday only); Yasmani Grandal, 2010 first-round draft pick; Tom Browning, Reds Hall of Fame pitcher; Jim Kelch, broadcaster; Walt Jocketty, president of baseball operations and general manager; Phil Castellini, chief operating officer; and mascot Mr. Redlegs.

Before coming to Lexington, the Southern Tour will visit: Charleston (W.Va.) Town Center, 3:30-5:15 p.m., Jan. 27; Fannin Motors, Ashland, 7-9 p.m., Jan. 27; Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 29; and Greenwood Mall, Bowling Green, 3:30-5:30 CST, Jan. 29.

Western Tour participants include all-star second baseman Brandon Phillips; Devin Mesoraco, Reds Minor League Player of the Year; Marty Brennaman, Hall of Fame broadcaster; Bob Miller, vice president and assistant general manager; and mascot Gapper. Also, pitcher Matt Maloney will be on hand in Louisville.

The full Western Tour: Louisville Slugger Field, 6-8:30 p.m., Jan. 27; College Mall, Bloomington, Ind., 5-7:30 p.m., Jan. 28; Castleton Square Mall, Indianapolis, 10 a.m.-noon, Jan. 29; Stoops Automotive, Muncie, Ind., 6:30-9 p.m., Jan. 29; and Parrish Auditorium, Miami University-Hamilton, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Jan. 30.

The Northern Tour cast includes Manager Dusty Baker; pitchers Travis Wood (Thursday and Friday) and Homer Bailey (Saturday and Sunday); Jeff Brantley, broadcaster; Todd Frazier, minor leaguer; and mascot Rosie Red.

The Northern Tour: The Market on State, Athens, Ohio, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jan. 27; Grand Central Mall, Parkersburg, W.Va., 4:30-7 p.m., Jan. 28; National Museum of the U.S. Air Force (limited seating), 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Jan. 29; Lima (Ohio) Mall, 3-5 p.m., Jan. 29; and Polaris Fashion Place, Columbus, Ohio, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Jan. 30.

See reds.com/caravan for updates, maps and photos.

James Paxton

The 2009 Major League Baseball Draft selections include four Kentucky Wildcats, the fourth consecutive season in with four or more Cats were drafted.

In addition, seven of UK’s recruits for the 2010 season were taken in the draft.

Over the last four drafts, 22 Wildcats have been selected, including seven who went in the fifth round or better.

Chris Rusin, Cubs fourth-rounder

The Toronto Blue Jays picked Paxton in Tuesday’s supplemental first round, 37th overall.

The Chicago Cubs took Rusin in Wednesday’s fourth round, 140th overall.

Chris Wade

Shortstop Chris Wade, a third-year sophomore shortstop out of Lexington Christian Academy, was picked by the Florida Marlins in 11th round.

Clint Tilford

The Colorado Rockies selected junior right-hander Clint Tilford in the 31st round.

UK signees who were selected:

* RHP Steven Inch (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), sixth round, Phillies;

* RHP Jordan Cooper (Shelbyville, Tenn.), 17th round, Pirates;

* RHP Keith Butler (Morgantown/Butler County), 24th round, Cardinals;

* LHP Taylor Rogers (Littleton, Colo.), 37th round, Orioles;

* RHP Sam Kidd (Hartford/Ohio County), 39th round, Phillies;

* C Luke Maile (Crestview Hills/Covington Catholic), 43rd round, Red Sox;

* CF Brian Adams (Cumming, Ga.), 45th round, Reds.

Adams is a UK football signee, projected as a receiver after having played primarily at quarterback in high school. He is considering playing both football and baseball for UK.