Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

Baseball

                               South Atlantic League

Lexington Legends
vs. Hickory Crawdads

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Sunday (7 Thursday through Saturday nights, 5 p.m. Sunday)

Where: L.P. Frans Stadium (Hickory, N.C.)

Major League affiliates: Houston Astros (Legends), Texas Rangers

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday, TBA vs. RH Luke Jackson (4-4, 5.28); Friday, RH Carlos Quevedo (7-5, 4.08) vs. RH Joe Van Meter (5-5, 4.09); Saturday, RH Tanner Bushue (6-5, 4.30) vs. RH Cody Buckel (6-3, 2.40); Sunday, RH Mike Foltynewicz (5-10, 4.69) vs. RH Ben Henry (5-2, 2.92).

Domingo Santana

Legend to watch: OF Domingo Santana (6-foot-5, 200 pounds, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) joined the Legends after being acquired by the Astros on Monday as the “player to be named” in the July 30 trade of former Legend Hunter Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies. (Earlier, the Astros received RHP Jarred Cosart, OF Jonathan Singleton and RHP Josh Zeid.) Santana, who bats and throws right-handed, hit .269 over 96 games with Lakewwood, with 29 doubles, four triples, seven homers, 32 RBI and four stolen bases. He made his Legends debut Tuesday, going 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout at Hagerstown. Entering the season, Baseball America rated him as the ninth-best prospect in the Phillies system. Born in the Bahamas, he signed with Philadelphia as a free agent for $330,000. He made his pro debut in 2009 with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, batting .288 with six homers and 28 RBI over 37 games. Last year, he struggled in 49 games with Lakewood, hitting .182 with three homers and 16 RBI over 49 games. Dropped to Williamsport of the New York-Penn League, he improved to .237-5-20 over 54 games with the Crosscutters.

Jonathan Roof

Crawdad to watch: IF/OF Jonathan Roof (6-1, 165, from Paducah) is Mr. Versatile for the Crawdads, who have played him at second base, third, shortstop, left field and right field. Out of St. Mary High School and Michigan State University, he is batting .262 with two homers, 32 RBI, 25 runs and 14 stolen bases in 65 games with Hickory. He also has played 12 games for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the Carolina League, hitting .186 and scoring five runs. An eighth-round draft pick last year, he played six games in the Arizona League in 2010 and 38 games with the Crawdads. His combined totals came to .266, 13 RBI, 19 runs and four SB. Roof’s father Gene and uncle Phil both played in the big leagues, while brothers Eric and Shawn are Tigers prospects. 

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Once in a while the Lexington Legends feature a player who, even at this early stop on the professional baseball ladder, is so impressive that you just know he’ll make it to the big-leagues.

My list includes Hunter Pence, Josh Anderson, Troy Patton, Matt Albers, Fernando Nieve, Chris Sampson and Mike Gallo, all of whom did reach The Show.

Others who made it, I wasn’t so sure about in their Legends days. Possibilities, but no sure things — Ben Zobrist, Tommy Manzella, Edwin Maysonet and J.R. Towles to name a few.

A few who made it absolutely fooled me. Pitcher Mark McLemore was 2-11 during his Legends days. Second baseman Brooks Conrad hit .186 for Lexington.

A few who didn’t make it fooled me, too. Two who come to mind are right fielder Anthony Acevedo and shortstop Tommy Whiteman. Atop my list, though, is Justin Humphries.

Justin Humphries

Humphries could hit for average, hit for power, had a great arm and was a solid defender. He was versatile. Used mostly at first base and DH, he also was a capable of filling in as a catcher. In one dire situation, he even came on in relief.

Humphries had size, was bright, cordial and interesting. His one shortcoming was a lack of speed.

Still, his other talents so impressed me that I figured him as a “can’t miss” player.

He struggled at times in the minors. Virtually all of those times had one thing in common, though: Humphries was “playing through” an injury. His body, as well as his statistics, suffered.

When healthy, all he did was tear the cover off the ball and play solid defense.

In my mind, Humphries never got the props he deserved for his true grit.

Now 27, Humphries is an up-and-coming star in the “real world” big leagues.

As a recently reported in the Fort Bend Herald (near Humphries’ hometown of Richmond, Texas), “A golden opportunity to author an important study on professional baseball ironically is likely to end the nine-year professional playing career of Richmond’s Justin Humphries.

“Humphries, a top student at the Ivy League’s Columbia University in New York, has accepted a five-figure grant for time and expenses by the university to author a study on the sociological aspects of baseball’s minor leagues, and the lives and careers of those trying to make it to the Major Leagues.

“His mentor will be best-selling author Sudhir Vankatesh, a sociology professor at Columbia who has written several books, including the best-selling Gang Leader for a Day, which is the basis of an upcoming Paramount movie.

 ”Venkatesh wants Humphries to use this summer before his graduation in December to complete the study, but has given him permission to play professional baseball if he thinks it would be beneficial to the project.”

Humphries, who carries a 3.68 grade-point average, said he didn’t want to commit to a full season of ball. But he has contacted three independent teams for whom he has played in the past and let them know that he’s available if a spot opens due to injury. Ah, the irony.

The focus of the study will be Humphries’ draft class of 2001.

For a look at the full report in the Fort Bend Herald, visit:

A contrast in study

Three players with Kentucky ties have been named to the United States roster for the 12th annual All-Star Futures Game, to be played July 11 at Anaheim, Calif.

Ben Revere

Lexington Catholic graduate Ben Revere, a Minnesota Twins prospect with the New Britain Rock Cats of the Eastern League (Class Double-A) is among five outfielders on the roster.

Jordan Lyles

Christian Friedrich

The 10-man pitching staff includes Double-A right-handers Christian Friedrich and Jordan Lyles. Friedrich, out of Eastern Kentucky University, is a Colorado Rockies prospect who is with the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League. Lyles, who played for the Lexington Legends last season, is with the Texas League’s Corpus Christi Hooks.

Yonder Alonso

Phillippe Valiquette

The World roster includes a pair of Louisville Bats, Triple-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds: Cuban-born infielder Yonder Alonso and Canadian-native left-handed pitcher Phillippe Valiquette.

No Lexington Legends were named, but the South Atlantic League will be represented by a pair of players. Hagerstown Suns outfielder Eury Perez, a Dominican, is on the World roster. Lakewood BlueClaws right-hander Jarred Cosart is on the U.S. pitching staff.

The Futures Game, held in conjunction with the Major League All-Star Game, is a showcase event for top minor-league prospects. The July 11 game is part of “All-Star Sunday” and is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. EDT. The game will be televised on ESPN2 and MLB.TV. The Major League All-Star Game will be played at Angel Stadium on Tuesday, July 13.

The first 11 editions of the Futures Game has produced 62 Major League all-stars, including Bowling Green native Corey Hart and former Legends slugger Hunter Pence. There are 201 Futures Game graduates currently on big-league rosters, including Hart, Pence, University of Kentucky product Joe Blanton and former Legends John Buck and Fernando Nieve.

Notes on a cold, rainy night.

University of Kentucky senior SS Molly Johnson is among 31 athletes who have accepted invitations to the 2010 USA Softball Women’s Team Selection Camp, to be held Jan. 4-8 at Chula Vista, Calif.

Senior shortstop Molly Johnson has established herself as a UK great.

A 17-member team, plus alternates, will be selected from the camp to represent USA Softball in 2010.

Johnson, who came to UK from Tucson, Ariz., but now calls Lexington home, helped Team USA win the Japan Cup last summer. Johnson went 3-for-5 over four games and led the team in runs scored (6).

Johnson, a UK team captain, has started all 162 games of her career, has twice had 10-game hitting streaks and has totaled 74 extra-base hits.

She is all over the UK career leaders lists, including: batting (.395) and slugging (.648), first in each; doubles (45), second; home runs (22), third; runs scored (113) and total bases (320), fourth in each; RBI (110), stolen bases (46) and defensive assists (379), fifth in each; hits (195), sixth; and triples (7), seventh.

Other players scheduled to attend the selection camp: Monica Abbott (Salinas, Calif.); Valerie Arioto (Pleasanton, Calif.); Brandice Balschmiter (Newark, N.Y.); Chelsea Bramlett (Cordova, Tenn.); Courtney Bures (Haymarket, Va.); Katie Burkhart (San Luis Obispo, Calif.); Eileen Canney (Paradise, Calif.); Ashley Charters (Beaverton, Ore.); Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif.); Andrea Duran (Selma, Calif.); Jennie Finch (La Mirada, Calif.); Vicky Galindo (Union City, Calif.); Alissa Haber (Newark, Calif.); Ashley Hansen (Chandler, Ariz.); Ashley Holcombe (Fayetteville, Ga.); Megan Langenfeld (Bakersfield, Calif.); Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif.); Brittany Lastrapes (Laguna Niguel, Calif); Jenae Leles (Fair Oaks, Calif.); Caitlin Lowe (Tustin, Calif.); Jessica Mendoza (Camarillo, Calif.); Stacey Nelson (Los Alamitos, Calif.); Cat Osterman (Houston); Amber Patton (Forsyth, Ill.); Brittany Rogers (Dacula, Ga.); Melissa Roth (Long Beach, Calif.); Taylor Schlopy (West Hills, Calif.); Angela Tincher (Eagle Rock, Mo.); Natasha Watley (Irvine, Calif.); and Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo.)

Legends, Reds, Astros and Wildcats — oh, my!

Individuals with ties to the Lexington Legends, Cincinnati Reds and University of Kentucky will play starring roles Jan. 21 at the 25th annual Houston Baseball Dinner, presented by the Houston Athletic Committee, Minute Maid, the Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America and the Houston Astros.

LHP Wandy Rodriguez, who went by the alias Eny Cabreja when he pitched for Lexington (2002), will be honored as the Astros Pitcher of the Year.

Washington Nationals 1B Adam Dunn, who began his big-league career with the Reds, is the Greater Houston Major League Player of the Year. A Houston native, Dunn resides in Montgomery, Texas.

Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton will serve as master of ceremonies. Hamilton’s 59 years in broadcasting include a brief tenure with University of Kentucky basketball.

Others to be honored include CF Michael Bourn (Astros MVP), RHP Brian Moehler (Darryl Kile Award, reflecting decency and character), RHP Jeff Fulchino (Astros Rookie of the Year), 1B Lance Berkman (Allen Russell Distinguished Achievement Award) and long-time official scorer Ivy McLemore (Fred Hartman Award for Long and Meritorious Service to Baseball).

Charley Taylor

* Best wishes to Charley Taylor, the pitching coach in each of the Legends’ first eight seasons. A cancerous bladder caused him to miss last season and, soon after the season ended, another tumor was found. He has since undergone successful surgery in Houston and has been recovering at the home of Rod and Lynne Humphries — parents of former Legends slugger Justin Humphries. Taylor is now back at MD Anderson Hospital undergoing chemotherapy.

* Astros RHP Chris Sampson, also a former Legend, is co-owner of LoneStar Baseball Academy, which opened Nov. 16 in Baytown, Texas. Sampson’s co-owner is former Milwaukee Brewers prospect Kade Johnson. They hosted a clinic for 50 youths from the Baytown YMCA last weekend, assisted by Astros/former Legends catcher J.R. Towles, Washington Nationals pitcher Garrett Mock and others.

* Astros/Legends connections playing winter ball include: 3B Jhon Florentino, LHP Fernando Abad, RHP Sammy Gervacio, and LHP Polin Trinidad in the Dominican League; SS Wladimir Sutil, C Pedro Gonzales and LHP Doug Arguello in the Venezuelan League; and OF Brian Bogusevic, 2B Edwin Maysonet and 3B Chris Johnson in the Puerto Rican League. … In the Arizona Fall League: RHP Evan Englebrook finished with no decisions and a 7.71 ERA over 11 games and 12 2/3 innings, with 12 strikeouts and four walks; and RHP Daniel Meszaros wound up with one save over 12 games, working 11 2/3 innings. He struck out 15 and walked three.

* Former Legends now on the Astros 40-man roster: Abad, Bogusevic, Englebrook, Gervacio, Johnson, Maysonet, Rodriguez, Sampson, Sutil, Towles, Trinidad and SS Tommy Manzella, OF Hunter Pence and RHPs Bud Norris, Felipe Paulino and Henry Villar.

See Barenaked Ladies at the Winter Olympics

The lineup that will entertain during 12 nights of Victory Ceremonies at the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games include Canadian acts Barenaked Ladies, Nelly Furtado, Loverboy and Hedley.

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) made the announcement Tuesday. The Victory Ceremonies, paying tribute to Games medalists each night, are scheduled Feb. 14-26 inside BC Place www.vancouver2010.com.

Grammy Award-winner Nelly Furtado will be first up, Feb. 14, when medals will be presented for speedskating and freestyle moguls.

The list of performers, host province and medal presentations follow.

Sunday, Feb. 14 — Nelly Furtado www.nellyfurtado.com, British Columbia Night. Medal presentations in short-track speedskating (men’s 1,500 meters), ladies’ freestyle moguls and speedskating (men’s 5,000 meters and ladies’ 3,000).

Monday, Feb. 15 — TBA, Quebec Night. Medals: Men’s freestyle skiing moguls.

Tuesday, Feb. 16 — Barenaked Ladies www.barenakedladies.com, Nova Scotia Night. Medals: Men’s and ladies’ snowboard cross, and men’s 500-meter speedskating.

Wednesday, Feb. 17 — Paul Brandt www.paulbrandt.com, Alberta Night. Medals: Ladies’ 500-meter speedskating.

Thursday, Feb. 18 — Hedley www.hedleyonline.com, Prince Edward Island Night. Medals: Ladies’ 500-meter short-track speedskating, men’s snowboard halfpipe, men’s and ladies’ 1,000-meter speedskating.

Friday, Feb. 19 — Theory of a Deadman www.theoryofadeadman.com, Northwest Territories’ Night. Medals: Ladies’ snowboard halfpipe.

Saturday, Feb. 20 — Stereophonics www.stereophonics.com, Yukon Night. No medal presentation.

Sunday, Feb. 21 — Trooper & Loverboy www.loverboyband.com, www.trooper.com, Nunavut Night. Medals: Ladies 1,500 meters and men’s 1,000 short-track speedskating, men’s 1,500 speedskating and men’s freestyle ski cross.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 — Billy Talent www.billytalent.com, Saskatchewan Night. Medals: Ladies’ freestyle ski cross and men’s 10,000-meter speedskating.

Wednesday, Feb. 24 — INXS www.inxs.com, Ontario Night. Medals: Ladies’ 5,000-meter speedskating.

Thursday, Feb. 25 — Burton Cummings www.officialburtoncummings.com, Manitoba Night. Medals: Short-track speedskating (ladies’ 3,000-meter relay) and ladies’ freestyle skiing aerials.

Friday, Feb. 26 — Great Big Sea www.greatbigsea.com, Newfoundland and Labrador Night. Medals: Men’s freestyle skiing aerials and ladies’ snowboarding parallel giant slalom.

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Bowling Green Hot Rods

What: Four-game series (Final series of the 2009 season)

When: Friday through Monday (7:05 Friday and Saturday nights; 5:05 Sunday; 1:05 Monday)

Where: Bowling Green Ballpark, Bowling Green, Ky.

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (8-13, 4.10) vs. RH Chris Andujar (10-4, 2.74); Saturday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-11, 3.31) vs. TBA; Sunday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (7-5, 3.87) vs. LH Frank De Los Santos (4-10, 3.79); Monday, RH Robert Bono (8-8, 3.41) vs. TBA.

Chris Andujar

Hot Rod to watch: All-star RHP Chris Andujar (6-foot, 182 pounds, from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) gets the start Friday. Andujar’s 10 victories are tied for third-best in the league (through Tuesday) and his 2.74 ERA ranks fourth. Over 30 appearances, including 16 starts, Andujar has worked 115 innings, striking out 76 and walking 39. Signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent on April 25, 2006. With Hudson Valley of the New York-Penn League last year, Andujar went 3-4 with a 5.65 ERA. He averaged nearly a strikeout per inning, fanning 57 over 65 2/3 innings.

Brian Pellegrini

Legends to watch: 1B/LF/DH Brian Pellegrini (6-1, 240, from Willoughby, Ohio) smashed the franchise records for career homers (28, by Tommy Whiteman and Justin Humphries) earlier this season and needs just one more to take sole possession of the team’s single-season record. He goes into the series with 46 bombs as a Legend. His 25 this season lead the league and match the single-season record set by Beau Hearod and tied by Hunter Pence. Pellegrini played his first 30 games of the season for High-A Lancaster, hitting another seven homers. Through Wednesday, Pellegrini is hitting .290, with 68 RBI and 60 runs scored, over 98 games with the Legends. He was selected by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, out of St. Bonaventure University, where he was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2006. He played five games for Tri-City in 2007. Last year, in 87 games with the Legends, Pellegrini hit .226 with 21 homers 69 RBI and 50 runs scored. Despite his linebacker-type build, Pellegrini is surprisingly quick. He stole 13 bases last season and has nine this year. 

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Bud Norris

Henry Villar

Matt Nevarez

Also of note: Former Legend RHP Bud Norris, now with the Astros, has been named Pitcher of the Year in the Pacific Coast League, where he played for the Round Rock Express. Norris went 4-9, but led the PCL with a 2.63 ERA over 19 starts. Since being called up by the Astros, Norris is 3-3 with a 6.61 ERA over six starts. … Mike Tauser’s “Farmstros Five” for the week, all RHPs, includes Legends Henry Villar and Matt Nevarez. Corpus Christi’s Chia-jen Lo tops the list, joined by Jose Cisnero of Greeneville and Kirk Clark of Tri-City. For more on the Farmstros, see Tauser’s blog: http://farmstros.blogspot.com/