Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

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/

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Greenville Drive

What: Three-game series

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

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: (859) 422-7867

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (8-12, 3.85) vs. RH Stolmy Pimental (9-7, 3.76); Sunday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-11, 3.23) vs. LH Fabian Williamson (10-4, 2.30); Monday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (7-5, 3.87) vs. RH Jeremy Kehrt (1-1, 3.51).

Will Middlebrooks

Drive to watch: 3B Will Middlebrooks (6-foot-3, 197 pounds, from Wake Village, Texas) took a 12-game hitting streak into Friday’s game against Kannapolis. Overall, Middlebrooks is batting .265 with seven homers and 54 RBI over 94 games. He has scored 49 runs and stolen five bases. Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, he was 61-for-110 (.555) with five homers, 48 RBI and 22 steals in 38 games that year for Liberty-Eylau High School in Texarkana, Texas, and also went 13-0 pitching. With the Lowell Spinners last year, Middlebrooks hit .254 and led the team with 17 doubles. He also ranked second or third on the team in games (59), steals (10-for-10), hits (53) and extra-base hits (20). He led third basemen in the New York-Penn League with a fielding percentage of .927. Rated by Baseball America as having the “best infield arm” in the Red Sox system the last two years.

Russell Dixon

Legend to watch: RF Russell Dixon (6-2, 205, from Houston) has come alive at the plate, with hits in seven consecutive games until going 0-for-4 Thurday. Over those seven games, Dixon went 10-for-25 (.400), with six RBI and four runs scored. Included in that span were a two-hit game and a three-hit game — all five hits being doubles. Dixon struggled early in the season, hitting .134 over 30 games with the Legends. That earned him a demotion to extended spring training. He then moved to Tri-City of the New York-Penn League, where he hit .302 with a homer and 11 RBI over 38 games. In 12 games since rejoining the Legends, Dixon is hitting .244. Selected by the Houston Astros in the seventh round of the 2007 draft, out of Auburn University, Dixon hit .237 for the Legends last season, with three homers, 33 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 19 attempts.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Travis Driskill

Also of note: CF Jay Austin and LHP Michael Hacker have been activated from the disabled list. OF Steve Brown has been promoted to High-A Lancaster, while LHP Antonio Noguera moves to the inactive list. … The Astros have ticketed 10 Legends for Instructional League work, starting in mid-September: Austin, 2B Albert Cartwright, LHP Brad Dydalewicz, C Federico Hernandez, RHP Arcenio Leon, RHP Jordan Lyles, RHP Matt Nevarez, RHP Ross Seaton, RHP Henry Villar and SS Brandon Wikoff. Also scheduled to attend is LHP Patrick Urckfitz, who was recently promoted to High-A Lancaster. Instructors include Legends pitching coach Travis Driskill and two former Lexington staffers: Stubby Clapp (hitting coach) and Mike Smith (strength and conditioning coordinator). Pitching coach Charley Taylor, who missed this season due to bladder-cancer surgery, also plans to attend. … Mike Tauser’s most recent “Farmstros Five” players of the week is topped by Corpus Christi OF Drew Locke. The other four: Wikoff, Greeneville RHP Abraham Gonzalez and a pair of former Legends — Round Rock LHP Josh Muecke and Lancaster DH/OF/C Koby Clemens. For more details, see http://farmstros.blogspot.com/

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Greensboro Grasshoppers

What: Four-game series

When: Friday through Monday (7:05 Friday, Saturday and Monday nights; 4:05 p.m. Sunday)

Where: NewBridge Bank Park (Greensboro, N.C.)

Probable pitching matchups (Legends listed first): Friday RH Ross Seaton (8-9, 2.82) vs. LH Brad Hand (6-12, 5.35); Saturday, LH David Duncan (2-3, 4.39) vs. RH Kyle Kaminska (8-8, 3.96); Sunday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-12, 3.89) vs. RH Sandy Rosario (2-0, 2.41); Monday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-10, 3.15) vs. RH Graham Johnson (5-7, 5.02).

Ben Lasater

Grasshopper to watch: 1B Ben Lasater (6-foot-3, 195 pounds, from Las Vegas, Nev.) leads Greensboro in games (109), at-bats (417), RBI (65), hits (117) and total bases (191) through Wednesday. Batting .281, he shares the team lead in homers (15). He also has 29 doubles and has scored 60 runs. Selected by the Florida Marlins in the 29th round of the 2007 draft, out of the College of Charleston (S.C.), Lasater split last season between Jamestown and Greensboro. He earned mid-season all-star honors in the New York-Penn League, hitting .324 with nine homers and 41 RBI over 59 games with Jamestown. In 33 games with the Grasshoppers, he batted .229 with seven homers and 24 RBI.

Steve Brown

Legend to watch: LF/CF Steve Brown (6-0, 180, from Cartagena, Colombia) is 21-for-66 (.318) in August, with three homers and 16 RBI. Overall, in 81 games through Wednesday, Brown is hitting .254 with six homers, 42 RBI, 43 runs scored and eight stolen bases. He has not committed an error. Signed by the Houston Astros as a non-drafted free agent on Dec. 1, 2003, Brown’s minor-league career began with two seasons in the Venezuelan Summer League, followed by a season with Greeneville of the Appalachian League (2006), another with Tri-City of the New York-Penn League (2007) and the past two seasons with the Legends. Totals for his first five seasons include: .267 average, 19 homers, 128 RBI, 55 stolen bases.

Radio: WLXG-AM 1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends
vs. Kannapolis Intimidators

What: Four-game series

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

Where: Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium (Kannapolis, N.C.)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-11, 3.90) vs. RH Nevin Griffith (2-4, 4.24); Tuesday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-10, 3.27) vs. LH Joey Serafin (1-1, 2.70); Wednesday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (7-5, 3.91) vs. RH Stephen Sauer (6-5, 3.27); Thursday, RH Robert Bono (8-8, 3.39) vs. LH Charlie Leesman (12-4, 2.97).

Jared Mitchell

Intimidator to watch: CF Jared Mitchell (6-foot, 195 pounds, from New Iberia, La.) was a first-round draft pick (23rd overall) of the Chicago White Sox in the June draft. In 24 games with the Intimidators (through Saturday), he is 24-for-78 (.308), with nine doubles, two triples, six RBI, eight runs scored, four stolen bases and a .443 on-base percentage. Mitchell hit .327, with 11 homers, 50 RBI, 64 runs and 35 stolen bases this year to help LSU win its sixth NCAA title. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series. Mitchell led the Tigers in steals, walks and on-base percentage. Baseball America tabbed him as Best Athlete and Fastest Runner among draft-eligible collegiate players. Mitchell also played on LSU’s national championship football team (2007). Over three seasons at wide receiver, he caught 24 passes for 274 yards.

Patrick Urckfitz

Legend to watch: LHP Patrick Urckfitz (6-3, 190 pounds, from Rochester, N.Y.) has developed into a dominant closer. Over 48 1/3 innings and 41 games, he is 4-0, with 13 saves and a 2.61 ERA. He has struck out 40 and walked 13. At the all-star break, he was 3-0, seven saves, 3.00 ERA. Since then, he is 1-0, six save, 1.96 ERA. Signed with the Houston Astros as non-drafted free agent out of Monroe (N.Y.) Community College on June 29, 2008. Worked 15 games in relief for Greeneville last year, going 1-0 with one save and a 1.40 ERA. Had 23 strikeouts and nine walks over 19 1/3 innings.   

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Asheville Tourists

What: Four-game series

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

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, RH Ross Seaton (8-8, 2.67) vs. RH Dan Houston (5-8, 3.95); Sunday, LH David Duncan (1-3, 4.40) vs. RH Jonnathan Aristil (2-6, 4.70); Monday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-10, 3.81) vs. TBA; Tuesday, Jordan Lyles (6-10, 3.44) vs. TBA.

Tourist to watch: LF Scott Robinson (6-foot, 185 pounds, from McDonough, Ga.) leads the Tourists in runs (71), hits (124), doubles (27), stolen bases (37), games (97) and at-abats (391). He’s batting .317 with three homers and 31 RBI. Selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 30th round of the 2006 draft, Robinson played the 2007 season for the Casper Ghosts of the Pioneer League, compiling a .240 average, five homers, 25 RBI and 10 steals over 50 games. Last year, with the Tri-City Dust Devils of the Northwest League, he hit .268 with six homers, 25 RBI and 15 steals over 59 games.

Antonio Noguera

Legend to watch: LHP Antonio Noguera (6-3, 194, from Caracas, Venezuela) joined the Legends last week, promoted from the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. The southpaw has made a pair of one-inning, shutout relief appearances for the Legends, with combined totals of one hit, one walk and one striketout. In 14 games with the ValleyCats, Noguera compiled a 2-0 record and 3.62 ERA, with eight walks to 21 strikeouts over 27 1/3 innings. Signed by the Houston Astros as a non-drafted free agent in September of 2004, when he was 16, Noguera also pitched for Tri-City last season. There, he was 2-8 with a 7.59 ERA over 15 games, including 13 starts. He walked 21 and struck out 24 over 53 1/3 innings. 

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Jordan Lyles

Also of note: Jordan Lyles, scheduled to start Tuesday’s game for the Legends, is on Baseball America’s “Prospect Hot Sheet” this week. … Members of the Breathitt County Junior Red Cross Club will attend Saturday’s game. When massive flooding took place in Eastern Kentucky last May, club members voted to use all available funds to help those affected by the floods. That included money for the club’s annual trip to a Legends game, which is a reward to students for their service. Officials from several agencies, including the Legends, Central Bank and

Patrick Urckfitz

Jay Austin

Trust, Aramark and the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross stepped in to fund Saturday’s trip. … Fans are invited to come early for Tuesday’s game and take part in the Family Fun Fest, just outside the ballpark gates. The Fun Fest, free to the public opens at 4 p.m. More than 20 attractions will be available, including batting and pitching cages, bungee runs, super slides, bounce houses, video arcade, a “rookie

Andy Simunic

zone” and a minor-league museum. Fans also can put their own photos on free souvenir baseball cards or on a Sports Illustrated for Kids magazine cover. … Legends players of the month for July, as selected by the coaching staff, are LH Patrick Urckfitz (Pitcher), CF Jay Austin (Offensive) and IF Andy Simunic (Defensive). Urckfitz was 1-0 with a 0.77 ERA over 10 relief appearnaces. Austin was 31-for-107 (.290) with nine extra-base hits, 10 RBI and eight steals over 26 games. Simunic has a .973 fielding percentage (five errors in 184 chances) over 51 games this season. … Former Legends picking up team Player of the Month honors in the Astros system include: Round Rock Express OF Brian Bogusevic (Offensive); Corpus Christi Hooks IF Jhon Florentino (Defensive); and Lancaster JetHawks RH Leandro Cespedes (Pitcher). … Mike Tauser’s “Farmstros Five” of the week: Gulf Coast League Astros IF Enrique Hernandez; Lyles; Lancaster OF/C Koby Clemens; Corpus Christi OF Drew Locke; and “top performer” Wilton Lopez, RHP for Corpus Christi.

South Atlantic League baseball

UPDATED ROTATION

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Greenville Drive

What: Four-game series

When: Tuesday through Friday (7 o’clock each night)

Where: Fluor Field at the West End (Greenville, S.C.)

Probable pitcher (Legends listed first): Tuesday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-10, 3.89) vs. RH Mike Lee (3-4, 4.15); Wednesday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-9, 3.42) vs. LH Fabian Williamson (7-2, 2.13); Thursday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (6-4, 3.12) vs. RH Stolmy Pimentel (9-6, 3.14); Friday, TBA vs. RH Brock Huntzinger (7-8, 4.17).

Ryan Lavarnway

Drive to watch: C Ryan Lavarnway (6-foot-4, 225 pounds, from Woodland Hills, Calif.) leads the team in doubles (27), homers (14), RBI (56) and total bases (153), and is tied for the lead in hits (80). Hitting .278 over 74 games (.299 since the all-star break), he also is slugging .531, has scored 43 runs and hit four sacrifice flies. Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the sixth round of the 2008 draft, out of Yale University, Lavarnway made his pro debut a year ago this week with the short-season A Lowell Spinners, for whom he hit .211 (15-for-71) with two homers, nine RBI and 10 runs over 22 games. At Yale, Lavarnway became the Ivy League career leader in homers, socking 33 over three seasons.

Jordan Lyles

Legend to watch: Wednesday starter Jordan Lyles (6-4, 185, from Hartsville, S.C.) gets another start in his home state coming off a sparkling effort Friday against the Charleston RiverDogs — six innings of three-hit, shutout ball in an 11-0 victory, with eight strikeouts to two walks. Lyles has set career bests across the board, including wins (6), ERA (3.42), games (20) and strikeouts (133). His 110 2/3 innings pitched are exactly double his 2008 total, and he has given up only 32 walks. Selected by the Houston Astros in the supplemental first round of the 2008 draft (38th overall), Lyles came into this season rated by Baseball America as the sixth-best prospect in the Houston syste, projected as the Astros’ 2012 No. 4 starter. Last year, in 13 starts with the Greeneville Astros and two starts for the Tri-City ValleyCats, Lyles was a combined 3-3 with a 4.23 ERA, 68 strikeouts and 17 walks.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Charleston RiverDogs

What: Four-game series

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

Where: Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, a.k.a. “The Joe” (Charleston, S.C.)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Friday, RH Jordan Lyles (5-9, 3.61) vs. RH Jairo Heredia (0-0, 2.25); Saturday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (5-4, 3.38) vs. LH Manny Banuelos (8-4, 2.60); Sunday, RH Ross Seaton (7-8, 2.82) vs. LH Trent Lare (3-2, 1.07 for Staten Island, New York-Penn League); Monday, LH David Duncan (1-2, 3.60) vs. RH Cory Arbiso (3-7, 3.18).

RiverDog to watch: OF Melky Mesa (6-foot-1, 185 pounds, from Haina, Dominican Republic) ranks second in the league with 20 homers and is fourth with 65 RBI. In addition to homers and RBI, he leads the RiverDogs in runs (63), hits (90), at-bats (370), doubles (22), total bases (184) and walks (41). Hitting .243 with 10 stolen bases over 99 games, he also is among the SAL’s top 10 in triples (6) and slugging percentage (.497). However, he’s also second in the league with 123 strikeouts. Signed by the New York Yankees six years ago, when he was 16, Mesa spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League and two more in the Gulf Coast League. Last year, with Staten Island, he hit .221 with seven homers and 23 RBI over 46 games. Fourteen of his 27 hits went for extra bases.

Brandon Wikoff

Legend to watch: SS Brandon Wikoff (5-8, 170, from Peoria, Ill.) is the first 2009 draft pick to join the Legends. Up from Tri-City of the New York-Penn League, he swaps roster spots with Jorge DeLeon. Wikoff has hits in his first three games with the Legends, going 5-for-11 (.455) and scoring twice. In 28 games with Tri-City, he hit .287 with two RBI, 12 runs and a pair of stolen bases. Selected by the Houston Astros in the fifth round of last month’s draft, out of the University of Illinois, finished his days with the Illini on a career-best 18-game hitting streak, including nine multi-hit games. An all-Big Ten pick, he had 23 multi-hit games in the season, started all 56 games and reached base in every game except one. He played third base as a freshman (2007), before moving to short. He led his high school team to the Illinois State Tournament in 2005 and 2006.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Koby Clemens

Also of note: Mike Tauser’s “Farmstros Five” for the week of July 22-28 include former Legend Koby Clemens, now with the Lancaster JetHawks. The weekly list of top performers in the Astros system (click here: http://farmstros.blogspot.com/) also includes Gulf Coast League Astros IF Luis Bryan, Tri-City ValleyCats RHP Max Fearnow and Round Rock Express RHP Yorman Bazardo. Top performer is plural this week, designated as the Dominican Summer League Astros pitching trio.

(Wednesday’s game postponed; new start time for Thursday doubleheader — both games scheduled for seven innings.)

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends vs. Lake County Captains

What: Four-game series

When: Thursday through Saturday (5:05 p.m. Thursday, then 7:05 each night)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call  (859) 422-7867 

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Thursday’s first game, LH David Duncan (1-1, 5.73) vs. LH T.J. House (2-8, 2.76); Thursday’s second game, RH Robert Bono (8-6, 2.90) vs. LH Kaimi Mead (1-2, 5.73); Friday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-9, 3.88) vs. RH Danny Salazar (2-3, 4.97); Saturday, RH Jordan Lyles (5-8, 3.25) vs. TBA.

Donnie Webb

Captain to watch: Switch-hitting LF Donnie Webb (5-foot-11, 190 pounds, from Stillwater, Okla.) leads the league in triples (10) and isfifth in stolen bases (27). He also is among the top 20 in hits (88), runs (46) and total bases (132). Batting .259 with five homers and 38 RBI, Webb had a four-hit game Monday against Greenville. Selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 10th round of the 2008 draft, out of Oklahoma State University, Webb played 51 games last season for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the New York-Penn League. He hit .218 with a homer, 17 RBI and six stolen bases, but finished the season on an uptick. He hit safely in 15 of the last 18 games, going 23-for-63 (.365), with a homer, two triples, 11 RBI, five steals and 15 runs.

Kyle Godfrey

Legend to watch: RHP Kyle Godfrey (6-2, 210, from Blue Ridge, Ga.) has made five relief appearances since joining the Legends during their last homestand. After giving up two earned runs over two innings in his Legends debut, he has not allowed an earned run since. Over 8 2/3 innings, Godfrey has no decisions, a 2.08 ERA, 12 strikeouts and no walks, while holding opponents to a .212 batting average. Before joining the Legends, Godfrey was 0-1 with a 5.54 ERA in three starts for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2008 draft, out of Hiwassee (Tenn.) Junior College, Godfrey was 1-4 with a 6.90 ERA over 19 relief outings with Tri-City in 2008, striking out 32 over 30 innings.

Ebert Rosario

Also of note: These are the only four games of the season between former division rivals. Barring interleague play and/or reshaping of the the minor leagues, these also figure to be the last games between the Legends and Captains. Lake County, located in suburban Cleveland, is scheduled to leave the South Atlantic League after this season, beginning play in the Midwest League in 2010. … The Legends made a roster move Tuesday night as all-star 3B Ebert Rosario was promoted to the High-A Lancaster JetHawks of the California League. Taking his roster spot is IF/DH Jeff Hulett, in from Tri-City. Rosario, batting .272 with four homers, led the Legends in games (88), at-bats (320), hits (87), total bases (119) and, unfortunately, errors (26). He also was second in RBI (31), runs (32, tied with Albert Cartwright) and doubles (14). Hulett, son of former big-leaguer Tim Hulett, was a 2008 12th round draft pick out of Northwest Florida State College. He went 10-for-53 (.189) over 19 games with the ValleyCats, with a double, RBI, three walks and 23 strikeouts. Last season, also with Tri-City, Hulett hit .194 with a homer and 10 RBI over 33 games.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

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

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

                              Lexington Legends
   vs. Rome Braves

What: Four-game series

When: Saturday through Tuesday (7:05 each night, except Sunday at 2:05 p.m.)

Where: Applebee’s Park

Tickets: Call (859) 422-7867

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Saturday, RH Robert Bono (7-4, 2.16) vs. RH Paul Clemens (4-3, 5.25); Sunday, RH Ross Seaton (6-7, 2.73) vs. RH Randall Delgado (1-7, 5.66); Monday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (6-7, 3.61) vs. LH Dimaster Delgado (1-2, 3.62); Tuesday, RH Jordan Lyles (5-7, 3.15) vs. RH Zeke Spruill (7-4, 3.32).

Adam Milligan

Brave to watch: OF Adam Milligan (6-foot-3, 210 pounds, from Morristown, Tenn.) was promoted to Rome on Friday, up from Danville of the Appalachian League. Milligan hit .439 with two homers, five doubles, a triple and 10 RBI in nine games with Danville. Atlanta took him in the sixth round of the 2008 draft, the third time the Braves selected the left-handed-hitting power hitter (who throws right-handed). He backed out of a committment to Vanderbilt, signing for $350,000. Milligan roomed with the son of Braves scouting director Roy Clark while attending Walters State (Tenn.) Community College. He also was recruited for football, out of Hardin County High School, where he was a Tennessee all-stater three years in a row. He played plenty of positions — quarterback, running back, receiver, kick-returner and safety.

Brian Pellegrini

Legend to watch: 1B Brian Pellegrini (6-1, 240, from Willoughby, Ohio) has tormented SAL pitchers since joining the Legends on May 16. Pellegrini began the season with High-A Lancaster of the California League, batting .171 with seven homers and 15 RBI over 30 games. Over 40 games with the Legends (through Thursday), Pellegrini is hitting .366 with 12 homers and 35 RBI. His 12 homers tie him for fifth in the league. He does not have enough appearances to qualify for league leaders in most categories, but his .366 batting, .441 on-base and .697 slugging numbers, as well as a gaudy 1.138 OPS would otherwise rank first. He hit .437 (38-for-87) with nine homers and 26 RBI in June. Pellegrini also spent much of last season with the Legends, notching 21 homers and 69 RBI over 87 games. His 33 career homers are a club record. Selected by the Houston Astros in the 12th round of the 2007 draft, out of St. Bonaventure University, he was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year in 2006.

Radio: WLXG AM-1300