All Things Valley League

Pennington Plays in Futures Game

Each year, the next crop of the best minor leaguers meet to play the "Futures Game" at the site of that year's All-Star game. Last season, former Valley Leaguer Brian Bocock (Luray 04) played in the game, while this year, a former Turk was invited: Cliff Pennington (03).

Pennington, now in Triple-A Sacramento in the Oakland A's system, is starting to deliver on the promise that made him a first round draft pick in 2005. He's hitting 269/391/350 in 257 at-bats spread between Double-A and Triple-A. He has a 72/59 BB/K ratio, and has stolen 25 bases in 30 attempts.

MiLB.com had this writeup on Pennington:

"Being a first-round pick (21st overall in 2005) carries a lot of expectations. For the first part of his pro career, it's safe to say Pennington struggled to meet them.

The Texas A&M product had a decent summer debut in the Midwest League after being drafted, but 2006 did not go so well. He missed time with a torn hamstring and he hit a combined .239 that season. Last year did go a bit better, as the shortstop hit .253 between the California and Texas Leagues. He did show excellent on-base skills, drawing 81 walks for a .346 OBP, that helped him get on base to use his speed for 17 stolen bases.

Now 23, Pennington has taken another step up in 2008. He began the year back in Midland, but got promoted to Triple-A after 50 games. Between the two levels, he's hit .263, but he's drawn 60 walks (against 51 K's) for a .380 OBP and he's gone 22-for-27 in stolen-base attempts. He's mixed in some second base to increase his versatility and at the very worst, looks like he could be a very valuable speedy utilityman in short order."

In the game, played yesterday in Yankee Stadium, Cliff went 0-2 with a strikeout.  Regardless, it's a real honor to be selected to participate.

Congratulations, Cliff!

Mike Loree is Untouchable!

Those of you who regularly read this site know that I love underdogs. Anyone can (and usually do) root for the winners in our society, but I usually root for the folks who don't have it made.

Mike Loree (Front Royal 04) is one of those guys. A four-year player at Villanova, Mike was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 50th round in 2007. He made his debut later that year in the Gulf Coast League, going 1-1, 1.13, with a 1.13 WHIP, 0.6 BB/9 and 11.3 K/9 in 16 innings.

While those numbers are quite good over a small sample, Loree has been absolutely untouchable in low-A Salem-Keizer this season. To prove the point, he has retired 62 of the last 63 hitters faced in his last 4 starts. On June 30th he pitched 6 no-hit innings against Eugene. On July 5th, he allowed just one hit, a solo homer, in 7 innings against Tri-City. Last night, July 11th, he pitched 7 no-hit innings against Yakima.

After all that, his stats are other-worldly: 1-1, 0.93, with a 0.28 WHIP, 0.0 BB/9, and 8.4 K/9 in 29 innings. Look at those numbers again: 0.28 WHIP means he's giving up a little more than a quarter of a runner per inning he's pitched, and he's not given up a single walk yet on the year.

Former major leaguer Tom Trebelhorn, his manager, as quoted in this article on MiLB.com, said of Loree's streak, "It's the most phenomenal pitching I've ever seen in my life. I don't know if anybody's ever pitched this good. I don't care if you're talking about the Northwest League, the Gulf Coast League or the Major Leagues.  He has good command of his fastball, he pitches ahead in the count. If someone exposes a weakness, he exploits it. I don't know that anybody's ever pitched this good."  Oh, by the way, Trebelhorn has spent 40 years in the game.

No one knows what the future may hold for Loree, but what an exciting ride so far in 2008!

Cowgill on a Tear

This year the Covington Lumberjacks had their first-ever alumnus make the major leagues- Carlos Guevara (02).  Collin Cowgill (05), another Lumberjack alumnus, may make it two in a hurry if he keeps up his torrid hitting.

Cowgill, admittedly still several stops away from the major leagues, is on a tear of epic proportions for the Yakima Bears in the short-season Northwest League. Last night, the Diamondback's 2008 5th round pick went 4-6, with 4 runs, 5 RBIs, and 3 home runs. His 3rd home run, in the 9th inning, tied the game, and his 4th hit, a single, started the game-winning rally with 2 outs in the 11th inning.

In his first 15 games in professional baseball, Collin has hit 10 home runs and driven in 24 runs. His stat line is 279/397/803 in 61 at-bats. He was also named the Northwest League's Player of the Week on June 23rd.

So maybe he won't make the majors later this year, but he has definitely created some waves in the Northwest League!

Schenk Garners Accolades

Academic achievements need to be celebrated as well as athletic ones, and this particular player, Neil Schenk (Woodstock 06-07), has been raking them in!

Schenk, according to the press release, "was named by Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky as one of 11 C-USA recipients of the Postgraduate Scholarship Awards today.

The conference annually presents the $4,000 Postgraduate Scholarship awards to graduates as selected by the Faculty Athletics Representatives and approved by the Board of Directors. Schenk was the league's recipient for baseball.

A Spanish major, Schenk was a four-time C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll and Academic Medal selection. Schenk plans to apply to medical school.

Schenk's fourth academic honor this season, he adds the Postgraduate Scholarship to a solid collection. He was tabbed an ESPN The Magazine /CoSIDA Academic All-District IV First Team selection and earned 2008 C-USA All-Academic team recognition. Schenk was also tabbed the University of Memphis Male Scholar Athlete of the 2007-08 school year."

While Schenk plans to apply to med school, he is currently pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays' affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades, in the New York-Penn League.  The 23rd round draft pick has thrown in 3 games thus far, going 0-0, 0.00, with only 1 hit and 1 walk allowed, with 5 strikeouts, in 3 2/3 innings.

Neil was also ATVL's #8 reliever last summer.

Well done, Neil!

Kratz Player of the Week

Former Valley Leaguer Erik Kratz (Waynesboro 00, Harrisonburg 01), called up to Triple-A Syracuse in early May because of injuries, is showing that not only does he belong in Triple-A, but maybe Toronto!

Erik was named the International League Batter of the Week for the week of June 2-8, after going 7-17 with 6 extra base hits.

In his last 10 games, Kratz is hitting .394 (13-33), with 3 doubles, 7 home runs, and 13 RBIs. In Triple-A, he's up to 274/330/621 in 95 at-bats.

He has a reputation as a very strong defensive catcher, so if he can continue to hit like this for a while, I think he has a good shot at playing in Toronto this year!  (Of course, Gregg Zaun comes off the disabled list soon, so we'll see what happens...)

Congratulations, Erik!

South Atlantic League All-Stars

The South Atlantic League has released its list of All-Star game participants, and four former Valley Leaguers will attend the game, held in Greensboro, North Carolina on June 17.

First of all, a player that I didn't even realize was playing pro ball is going: Joey Williamson (Luray 05). When I looked over the list of players, something about Joey tickled my memory, so I went to the lists, and sure enough, he played in the Valley!  I missed it when the Rockies drafted him in the 36th round in 2007. Well, better late than never, I suppose. Anyway, Joey is throwing very well for Asheville, as he's 1-0, 1.59, with a 0.94 WHIP, 2.6 BB/9, and 9.3 K/9 in 34 innings.

Bobby Spain (Harrisonburg 06-07) has also been selected as an All-Star. He's hitting 316/355/465 as the starting third baseman for the Hickory Crawdads.

Michael Mitchell (Staunton 06) is a second VBLer from the Asheville Tourists going to Greensboro. He's hitting 320/374/453 in 203 at-bats for the Tourists.

Last but not least, Garrett Parcell (Covington 04) was also selected. Garrett is 0-2, 2.78, with 14 saves, a 1.15 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9 and 7.5 K/9 in 22 2/3 innings for the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

To see the MiLB.com release, click here. 

Congratulations, guys!

Minor League Top Performers for Monday, June 2

This may be the last day for this update for a while, as the current Valley League heats up.  But what a night it was- several ex-VBLers had excellent games!

On to the players:

Adam Pavkovich (Waynesboro 01-02) went 2-5 with a home run, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs for Triple-A Salt Lake. He's hitting 285/347/468 in 158 at-bats.

Wally Crancer (Covington 04) went 2-4 with a double and 3 RBIs for Low-A Delmarva. Wally is hitting 337/416/517 in 89 at-bats. Quite a line so far!

Erik Kratz (Waynesboro 00, Harrisonburg 01, and pictured left) had an awesome game for Triple-A Syracuse, going 2-3 with 2 home runs, a walk, 3 runs, and 4 RBIs. He's hitting 247/304/493 in 73 at-bats.

Ryan Klosterman (Winchester 01) went 4-4 with a double, home run, 2 walks, 4 runs, and 5 RBIs for Double-A New Hampshire. He's hitting 255/366/414 in 145 at-bats. (Must have been a good day to be in the Jays' system!)

Joe Koshansky (Staunton 02-03) continues to rake, as he went 3-4 with 2 doubles, a home run, 3 runs, and 5 RBIs for Triple-A Colorado Springs. Check out these numbers: 313/388/627 in 201 at-bats. Come on, Rockies, call him up!  (again)

Tobi Stoner (Front Royal 05) lost the game, but he threw pretty well for High-A St. Lucie: 6 1/3 innings, 6 hits, 1 walk, 3 runs (2 earned), with 2 strikeouts. On the year, he's 1-4, 2.74, with a 1.04 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9, and 8.6 K/9 in 46 innings.  Make this stat profile #43,512 why wins and losses are stupid stats for pitchers. Stoner's peripherals are awesome- and he's won one game in eight starts.

Tom Hagan (Covington 04-05) went 2-3 with an RBI for Low-A Hickory. He's hitting 306/361/438 in 144 at-bats.

Bobby Spain (Harrisonburg 06-07) went 2-4 with a double, raising his stats to 316/355/465 in 187 at-bats.

Minor League Top Performers for Sunday, June 1

Jack Egbert (Winchester 03) threw an excellent game for Triple-A Charlotte. He went 7 innings, allowing 3 hits, 0 walks, 2 runs (1 earned), and striking out 4. He's now 1-4, 6.39, with a 1.45 WHIP, 3.8 BB/9, and 7.1 K/9 in 38 innings.

Greg Sexton (New Market 04) went 2-4 with 2 RBIs for Low-A Columbus. He's now 299/339/433 in 201 at-bats.

Matt Oxendine (Front Royal 03) went 2-3, both singles. He's hitting 258/316/355 in 124 at-bats.

Ryne Reynoso (Waynesboro 05) threw well, going 6 innings and allowing 4 hits, 2 walks, and 1 run (earned). He struck out 5. He's now 5-3, 3.16, with a 1.14 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9 and 8.2 K/9 in 57 innings.  Ryne pitches in an extreme pitcher's park, but he's throwing just about as well on the road as he is at home. With these solid rates, he may be moving onto prospect lists...

Gaby Sanchez (Staunton 03) is becoming a regular on this list. Yesterday, he went 2-4 with a double, run, and RBI for Double-A Carolina. He's raking, with rate stats at 326/419/472 over 193 at-bats.

Brendan Katin (Covington 04, pictured above) ripped 2 home runs for Triple-A Nashville, his 7th and 8th of the year. He's hitting 258/294/517 in 151 at-bats.

Kyle Sadlowski (New Market 05) picked up a win in relief for Double-A Springfield, throwing 2 shutout innings, with 1 hit and 2 strikeouts. He's 2-0, 3.24 over 8 1/3 innings in Double-A.

Minor League Top Performers for Friday, May 30

Back from New Yawk City. All 15 students and 4 faculty members made it back safely, with no major problems. Today my daughters participated in "Soccer Fest" here in Harrisonburg, and played quite well. I'm just waiting for my life to cool down a little... but there's graduation tomorrow...

At any rate, here are the top performers from last night!  (By the way, I'm not sure how the VBL season will play out- I may have so much to cover that I'll drop this feature.  We'll see.)

Chris Carter (Waynesboro 01) went 2-3 with a home run, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs. He's hitting 325/379/540 over 200 at-bats. He's making a case to be bench help in Boston!

Cliff Pennington (Harrisonburg 03) went 2-4 with a home run, walk, and 2 runs scored in his Triple-A debut at Sacramento. Cliff ended his time at Double-A Midland hitting 260/379/314 in 204 at-bats.

Rowdy Hardy (Staunton 04, and pictured above) is really starting to come around! Last night, he threw 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 walks, 1 run (earned), and striking out 4. He's now 2-4, 4.88, with a 1.48 WHIP, 0.9 B B/9 and 4.0 K/9 in 62 2/3 innings. He's thrown 3 good games in a row!

Erik Kratz (Waynesboro 00, Harrisonburg 01) went 2-3 with a home run, walk, 2 runs, and 2 RBIs for Triple-A Syracuse. He's hitting 231/275/415 in 65 at-bats in Triple-A.

Tony Thomas (Harrisonburg 05) went 3-5 with a double, home run, and 2 runs scored for High-A Daytona. Thomas is hitting 278/324/428 in 187 at-bats.

Eddy Rodriguez (Luray 05-06) makes his first appearance on this list, going 2-4 with an RBI for High-A Sarasota. Eddy is hitting 206/271/252 in 107 at-bats.

Joe Koshansky (Staunton 02-03) went 2-4 with a walk, home run, and 2 RBIs for Triple-A Colorado Springs. He's hitting 296/377/571 in 189 at-bats.

Dan Murphy (Luray 05) went 2-3 with a walk and 2 RBIs for Double-A Binghamton. He's hitting 335/388/517 in 203 at-bats!

Nick Stavinoha (Front Royal 03) continues hammering the ball, going 2-4 with a walk and a run for Triple-A Memphis. He's hitting a robust 358/387/513 in 187 at-bats.  CALL HIM UP!

All Haran Does is Hit

Somebody needs to give this guy another shot at organized baseball.

Former New Market Rebel (06) and All Things Valley League interview subject Gerard Haran, signed by the independent Atlantic League Newark Bears after being cut by the St. Louis Cardinals, is showing again that all he does is hit.

Haran, playing at this level for the first time, is hitting 345/406/552 after 10 games and 29 at-bats. While this is a small sample size, Gerard seems to be well on his way to show major league organizations that he can hit wherever he plays.  In a related story, Newark is off to a hot start, leading the Freedom Division with a 16-9 record. 

(Stats are through Thursday, May 22)