Buckeyes in the Minors: Baseball America Injury Report

From one Big Ten Pitcher of the Year to another...

Posted Jul. 22, 2009 12:29 pm by Ben Badler

Cory Luebke, lhp, Padres: Luebke had surrendered just one earned run in three starts since his promotion to Double-A San Antonio, but he had to leave his July 12 start at Tulsa with a right hamstring injury. Luebke, 24, spent most of the season taming the high Class A California League, where he left Lake Elsinore with a 2.34 ERA in 88 1/3 innings thanks in large part to his walking just 1.7 batters per nine at that level.

Baseball America Injury Report

Luebke during his July 12st start at Tulsa had pitched 3.1 innings of no-hit baseball, before he felt the hamstring start bothering him. Luebke's AA numbers since being promoted, 1-0, .69 ERA, 13 IP, 7 K's, 5 BB, .184 BAA.

Luebke says the injury is coming along alright and it shouldn't be too much longer before he returns to the mound. Luebke on return has a chance to really turn heads and play himself into a welcoming position. The Padres this past weekend called-up top prospect Mat Latos from AA San Antonio, leaving a void in the Missions rotation that is duly felt from the Luebke injury. Latos debuted against the Rockies July 18th, pitching 4 innings of 2-run baseball.

The Padres who see the writing on the wall for the 2009 season are starting to call up some of their prospects and see what they have for the future. If Luebke can continue his dominance and pitch well in August, come September when rosters are expanded its not out of question to see Luebke toe the rubber in a big league park.

The 2007 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year has shown great command only walking 22 in 101.1 IP over the two levels. Cory says he is starting to add some cut to his fastball, his change up is coming along, but his slider has been his pitch of choice to get California and now Texas League batters out, as a result he has 87 K's, and a .221 BAA in 2009. After taking a step back in 2008 in finishing with Low-A Fort Wayne after starting in Advanced A, the Marion Local product is back on the fast track for the Padres and come 2010 will really be a name for those on the west coast to know of.

Summer League Buckeyes: Wimmers Shines in First Cape Win

On the eve of the Cape Cod All-Star game where the most talented collegiate underclassmen will be on the brightest showcase stage of their careers in an ungodly collection of talent, one of the game's elite was making his presence felt even though he will not be in attendance.

In a 2009 calendar year where Alex Wimmers has picked up enough honors and hardware to fill a small closet, the Ohio State righty will not be able to add Cape Cod League All-Star to his resume, no fault of his performances, but because in adding Team USA Invitee to said resume, he was a late Cape arrival. In his latest start with pockets scout and talented evaluators on hand including Stats Inc./ESPN's Keith Law, who twittered during the outing, Wimmers is using this summer to supplement a spring which saw him land on 6 All-American teams, and prove he is one of college baseball's top pitchers.

As noted last week, Wimmers made his first start, and performed well throwing five solid innings of one run, two hit, baseball in striking out six. As was well as that performance was the last outing by Wimmers has really made people take notice.

After seeing his scheduled start pushed back a day due to rain, Wimmers made every effort to not only showcase his skill, but help put the Bourne Braves back atop the CCBL West Division standings, in a tie with the Wareham Gatemen who was Wimmers opponent.

The game featured the top two returning pitchers next year in the Big Ten with Wimmers going against 2008 Yankees draftee and Indiana's freshman Blake Monar. It was the second time in 2009 the two faced off in a start, the first being in March during the Buckeyes spring trip where Wimmers shutout the Hoosiers in a 2-0 victory that saw Monar take the tough-break loss. It was also the second game this Cape season that saw both Wimmers and Monar share a pitching mound as Wimmers came in relief during a Braves-Gatemen game two weeks back.

Site familiarity of opponent if you want but Wimmers had no problem handling the Gatemen and picking up his first Cape Cod victory. Wimmers carried a no-hitter into the 5th, Wimmers does know a thing or two about no-hitters on a grand stage, pitched into the 7th, struck out 10 batters, walked four and allowed four hits. Wimmers strong start helped the Braves shutout the star-ladden Gatemen who have the likes of Michigan's Ryan LaMarre, Indiana's Alex Dickerson, and Georgia Tech's Derek Dietrich.

As dominant as it was, it wasn't Wimmers' sharpest performance. Wimmers did walked two Gatemen in the opening frame, and did allow two singles in both the 5th and 7th innings before exiting. But benefiting from solid defense, and help from his battery mate BJ LaRosa (Bucknell) who threw out LaMarre and Dietrich trying to steal off Wimmers, allowed Alex to work out of jams and perform great. In all Wimmers saw 24 Gatemen make plate appearances, as the result of four walks, 20 had official at-bats and 10 were strikeout victims. Pretty impressive.


Wimmers to-date summer numbers:

1-0, 1.29 ERA, 14 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 21 K's, .148 BAA, 1.07 WHIP, 13.5 K/9


Cape Cod Times Recap

Star Coast Today Recap

Summer League Buckeyes: Stats through 7/22

Not much has happened in the last few days but heres an update.

Buckeye Shortstop Tyler Engle went 1-for-4, with a RBI Monday night for the Settlers in a 3-2 loss. His double-play partner Kovanda has gone 4-for-14 with a double, RBI, and CS over the past few games. Big Ten Player of the Year, Dan Burkhart has gone 0-for-5 in the Cape before their All-Star game which is tomorrow night in Fenwar Park.

Before the Cape takes their break, games are being played tonight and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Alex Wimmers is scheduled to go for the Bourne Braves. Just as the action has been quite for the bats, as to for the pitchers. Junior Eric Best saw his summer come to an end as the Settlers and Eric decided to shut him down last week and find a roster replacement. Drew Rucinski was the only Buckeye to see action since Sunday.

In collecting his first loss of the year, last night Rucinski was called on in relief for the Luray Wranglers. Rucinski came in to start the 4th inning, with the game tied at 3 against the Woodstock River Bandits (sweet name). The Wranglers scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th to give Rucinski the lead and chance to secure his first win, but the top of the 7th saw trouble for Rucinski.

Rucinski started the inning off with a strike out, one of four on the evening, a single was followed with an error to have runners on first and second, before Matthew Blow, a VaTech junior 1B, sent a Rucinski pitch out of the confined dimensions of Bulldog Field, the Wranglers home, for a three-run home run. Rucinski's outing would come to an end as the 7th ended. Drew's line, 3 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 2ER, 4 K's, 1 BB. The Wranglers lost 6-5.


Hitters

Valley Baseball League:
Cory Kovanda-Waynesboro Generals: 34-for-116;.293 average, three 2B, one 3B, 10 RBI, .336 SLG, .362 OBP, 5/8 SB/SBA

Brian DeLucia-Rockbridge Rapids: 27-for-99; .273, three 2B, one 3B, three HR, 17 RBI, .414, .348

Shawn Forsythe-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-for-14, one RBI


Great Lakes:
Tyler Engle-Licking County Settlers: 9-for-26; .346, one HR, six RBI, .462, .414


Cape Cod:
Dan Burkhart-Hyannis Mets: 12-for-48; .250, one 2B, two RBI, .271, .308


Atlantic Baseball Confederation:
Ryan Cypret-Jersey Tides: 17-for-53; .321, one 2B, one HR, six RBI, .407, .434

Zack Nowland-Jersey Tides: 11-for-45; .244, one 2B, five HR, 15 RBI, .600, .433


Pitchers

Great Lakes:
Eric Best-Licking County Settlers 3-0, 3.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 17 H, 17 K's, 5 BB, .243 BAA


Cape Cod:
Alex Wimmers-Bourne Braves 0-0, 2.25, 8 IP, 3 H, 11 K's, 4 BB, .111


Valley Baseball League:
Jared Strayer-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-1, 10.93, 14 IP, 27 H, 10 K's, 9 BB, .409

Drew Rucinski-Luray Wranglers: 0-1, 2 SV, 3.62, 27.1 IP, 24 H, 28 K's, 8 BB, .220

Andrew Armstrong-Luray Wranglers: 1-1, 6.19, 16 IP, 14 H, 15 K's, 12 BB, .222


New England Collegiate:
Dean Wolosiansky-Newport Gulls: 3-0, 1.95, 27.2 IP, 22 H, 15 K's, 9 BB, .222

Buckeyes in the Minors: Dan DeLucia Dunedin Blue Jays

Photo courtesy Jim Davidson of the o-zone.net


If the 2009 minor league season were to receive a grade, from a Buckeyes perspective it would only be fitting that it would be an A+.

Showing Chris Webb is indeed human and subject to an occasional error, in combing minor league rosters, a sick leisure activity for me (yes I'm not normal) I encountered a familiar name on an unfamiliar team. Wearing #22 and pitching for the Dunedin Blue Jays, hails a 6'4 lefty from Columbus, Ohio named Daniel DeLucia.

That's right folks, the only three-time captain in Ohio State baseball history is currently in the minor league, and playing pretty darn well.

I'm not entirely sure how I missed this, how nothing has been spread by my accountes, but a player with the class, talent, and passion for the game like DeLucia deserves praise and mention.

DeLucia started the 2009 professional season on a delayed note, he was released from the Tigers organization after spring training. He made a few trips to Bill Davis Stadium to support his former teammates, and could even be heard on the radio as he called the Purdue series for 103.9 WTDA. DeLucia would eventually sign and play with the Winnipeg Goldeneyes of the Northern League. His time in Canada paid dividends.

Putting two and two together, one can assume that while pitching for the Goldeneyes, the Canadian MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays either caught word or saw Dan perform well. Fast forward to late June and DeLucia is signed, in the Blue Jays system, and like Geese in October, heads south to Florida.

In the Gulf Coast League, playing for the Blue Jays Rookie Ball affiliate, Dan appeared in three games, tossing two innings of three hit, no run ball. Given DeLucia's age, his skill, and experience, once the Blue Jays saw he was minor league ready and has potential, DeLucia by passed short-season A, low A, and found himself in Advance A ball, playing for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League.

The Blue Jays mark the 6th Advanced A team that a former Buckeye has played on. 2007 draftee Matt Angle is currently a Frederick Key in the Carolina League, as was 2006 8th round pick Jedidiah Stephen. Joining them in the Carolina League is another '07 product in Eric Fryer, who accounts for two A+ teams alone. Fryer started the season as a Tampa Yankee in the Florida State League before being traded to the Pirates from the Yanks, and is now a Lynchburg HillCat. Moving over to the left coast, in the California League, 2008 draftee JB Shuck is a Lancaster JetHawk, and before being promoted to AA San Antonio the first of the 2007 trio, Cory Luebke played for Lake Elsinore Storm.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of Luebke and make a rise to AA as a left-handed pitcher is DeLucia. Though coming out of the 'pen, opposed to Cory going every fifth game, DeLucia has been just as impressive. DeLucia is 1-0, appearing in six games. You can't find a better ERA, as Dan's sits at 0.00, not allowing a run in 12.2 innings pitched, only conceding five hits in that time. As a result opponents are hitting a microscopic .119 off of the Watterson Eagle alumnus, striking out 10 times against three free passes.

It is really great to see Dan get another chance, and so far, doing well in making the most of it. Not only was DeLucia the only three-time captain at Ohio State, but he was one of the best leaders, and team players you'll find. DeLucia worked rigorously to come back in 2008 for a fifth and final season after seeing his 2007 season cut short due to Tommy-John surgery. Just knowing that DeLucia can come back from that, you know DeLucia will do whatever it takes to climb the ladder. The Buckeye Nine will be there supporting Dan and following his progression. My apologies to DeLucia for the previous oversights, and we wish him well.

DeLucia's MiLB page

More All-American Honors for Wimmers and Hale

Announced today were the College Baseball Insider All-American teams. I honestly did not know there were this many publications with AA teams that go down in the records books, but hey it is what it is.

Both Alex Wimmers and Jake Hale were named 3rd team CBI All-Americans.

For the final (unless someone else out there has an All-American team) tally

Wimmers:
Ping! Baseball 1st Team All-American
Louisville Slugger 2nd Team All-American
Baseball America 3rd Team All-American
ABCA (Coaches) 3rd Team All-American
NCBWA (Writers) 3rd Team All-American
College Baseball Insider 3rd Team All-American

Hale:
NCBWA 1st Team
Ping! 2nd Team
ABCA 3rd Team
CBI 3rd Team
Louisville Slugger 3rd Team



College Baseball Insider All-Americans

Hurley and Hale 2009 Draft Update

Another draft, another year of Buckeyes being selected. Two Buckeyes were selected in the 2009 MLB Amateur draft making it the 8th consecutive season at least two Buckeyes were selected by MLB teams. Senior All-American closer Jake Hale was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 27th round, and Junior outfielder Zach Hurley was selected by the Florida Marlins in the 45th round.

Hale having exhausted his eligibility signed quickly and is in the Diamondbacks system.

Hale was sent to Arizona's short-season A league team, the Yakima Bears in the Northwest League. Willie or Jake whichever you choose, has appeared in six games, all in relief, throwing 7.2 innings and posting a 10.57 ERA off of nine earned runs in that time.

Opponents are batting .414 off the tall righty collecting 12 hits, two home runs, have drawn five walks, while striking out seven times. Not all of the numbers suggest Hale is struggling, after six games Hale's ground-out to air-out ratio is 2.75 which is very encouraging, especially for a reliever.


More than likely to not follow suit and join Hale in the professional ranks is Hurley. Hurley remains unsigned and all signs appear that Zach will be returning in 2010 for his senior season as the Buckeyes defend their Big Ten Championship. The Buckeye Nine wll be catching up with Hurley in the next few weeks to discuss the chance to be drafed, what goes into making a decision, and ultimately his final decision and his future.

NCAA Issues Composite Bat Moratorium

From the NCAA:

This correspondence is being sent on behalf of the Baseball Rules Committee, alerting the college baseball bat manufacturing community to an important action being taken in regard to certain bats that have been used in NCAA competition. After significant dialog and review of research collected during the Division I Baseball Championship, the committee is proposing an immediate and indefinite moratorium on the use of composite barreled bats. The committee believes this action is needed in order to protect the integrity of the game and to enhance the safety of the student-athletes.

Baseball America's take:

Posted Jul. 20, 2009 5:24 pm by Aaron Fitt

The NCAA has devised a solution—at least temporarily—to its bat rolling dilemma. Multiple sources have confirmed that the NCAA has issued a moratorium on bats that use composite barrels, which tend to overperform near the end of their life cycles and are susceptible to a form of tampering known as "bat rolling."

This is a positive step to address a major issue that has exploded in college baseball over the last two seasons. We’ll have plenty more on the composite bat debate in this week’s On Campus.




For those unaware, bat rolling and bat shaving became an issue that in the season with rumblings from Vandy coach Tim Corbin. Since then the NCAA has looked into different makes, different bat manufactures, and different bats and their performances to see if any program or supplier are not conforming with NCAA guidelines. As many Buckeye fans know with the recent change to Nike, different bats have different results good and bad. In an attempt to level the playing field and not allow different programs to have an on the field advantage based solely on which bat they are provided with, the NCAA looks very closely and serious into any tampering or illegalities of bats.

There is more to this story and more will come out in the upcoming weeks.

Summer League Buckeyes: Stats through 7/19

Hitters

Valley Baseball League:
Cory Kovanda-Waynesboro Generals: 30-for-102;.294 average, two 2B, one 3B, nine RBI, .333 SLG, .371 OBP, 5/7 SB/SBA

Brian DeLucia-Rockbridge Rapids: 27-for-97; .278, three 2B, one 3B, three HR, 17 RBI, .423, .349

Shawn Forsythe-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-for-14, one RBI


Great Lakes:
Tyler Engle-Licking County Settlers: 8-for-22; .364, one HR, five RBI, .500, .440


Cape Cod:
Dan Burkhart-Hyannis Mets: 12-for-48; .250, one 2B, two RBI, .271, .308


Atlantic Baseball Confederation:
Ryan Cypret-Jersey Tides: 17-for-53; .321, one 2B, one HR, six RBI, .407, .434

Zack Nowland-Jersey Tides: 11-for-45; .244, one 2B, five HR, 15 RBI, .600, .433


Pitchers

Great Lakes:
Eric Best-Licking County Settlers 3-0, 3.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 17 H, 17 K's, 5 BB, .243 BAA


Cape Cod:
Alex Wimmers-Bourne Braves 0-0, 2.25, 8 IP, 3 H, 11 K's, 4 BB, .111


Valley Baseball League:
Jared Strayer-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-1, 10.93, 14 IP, 27 H, 10 K's, 9 BB, .409

Drew Rucinski-Luray Wranglers: 0-0, 3.33, 24.1 IP, 20 H, 24 K's, 7 BB, .211

Andrew Armstrong-Luray Wranglers: 1-1, 6.19, 16 IP, 14 H, 15 K's, 12 BB, .222


New England Collegiate:
Dean Wolosiansky-Newport Gulls: 3-0, 1.95, 27.2 IP, 22 H, 15 K's, 9 BB, .222

Summer League Buckeyes: Wolosiansky a NECBL All-Star

Photo courtesy Jim Davidson of the-ozone.net


My apologies on an inexcusable error in leaving Wolosiansky off the list of Bucks in summer league action. Wolosiansky is playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer as a Newport Gull.

In Wolosiansky's last start on July 15th against the Vermont Mountaineers, the two-time second team All-Big Team honoree pitched a dandy of a game. Wolo went 8 innings, scattering nine hits, allowed just one run, struck out five and walked two. The win was Wolosianksky's third so far this summer, helping the first-place Gulls move to 19-8 on the summer.

This summer, the Uniontown native is 3-0 in 4 games started, posting a 1.95 ERA in 27.2 innings pitched. Dean has struck out 15 while walking nine, opponents are batting .222 off of the Green HS product who has allowed just three extra base hits, all three being doubles.

With the second of the Saturday starter for Coach Todd, its no surprise as the all-star lineups were announced to the Wolosiansky selected.

The NECBL all-star game is being played tonight, July 18th from MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke, MA the home of the Holyoke Blue Sox.

Contract talks to start for coach Todd

By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch

Negotiations on a new contract for long-time Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd will begin within seven to 10 days, a spokesman for athletic director Gene Smith says.

Todd, who led the Buckeyes to the regular-season Big Ten championship and the championship game of an NCAA regional, is under a five-year contract that will expire at the end of the month.

"Gene Smith is out of town but plans to meet with coach Todd within seven to 10 days to begin talking about a new contract," said Dan Wallenberg, assistant athletic director for communications. "Coach Todd will be the coach next year. The only thing that needs to be worked out are the details."

Among the details, Wallenberg said, would be the length of the contract.

Todd is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He has won a team-record 873 games in 22 years at Ohio State and 997 games in his career.

The Buckeyes finished the 2009 season 42-19 and won their seventh regular-season championship under Todd. He has led the team to 13 NCAA tournaments and two regional championships.

Ohio State's season ended with a 37-6 loss to Florida State in the championship game of the NCAA regional in Tallahassee, Fla. It was the most runs allowed and the worst loss in the history of the tournament.

Few, however, expected the Buckeyes to compete for even a conference championship with only three seniors on the roster and a pitching staff that was weakened by injuries and defections.

Todd was voted Big Ten coach of the year.

Mayfield OF Tim Wetzel commits to Ohio State

Tim Warsinskey, Plain Dealer Reporter

Before he became a highly recruited baseball player, Mayfield's Tim Wetzel always wanted to attend Ohio State. When the Buckeyes offered him a scholarship recently, it made for an easy decision.

"Ohio State was the best fit for me academically, and so was the whole school because I have two siblings there [Rob and Christina]," Wetzel said. "I always wanted to go to the school even if I wasn't playing a sport."

Wetzel, a senior this fall, has made an oral commitment to

play baseball at OSU. A center fielder who bats and throws left- handed, Wetzel hit .412 with 26 RBI in 22 games this year, and was 28-of-29 stealing bases. He hit a school-record six triples.

Wetzel said he considered Kent, Dayton and St. Bonaventure. He also is a standout running back / safety and said OSU coaches gave their blessings for him to play football at Mayfield this fall.

"They want to come up and watch me play. They're all into high school football," he said.

Wetzel said he plans to study chemistry, pharmacy or anesthesiology.

Mayfield baseball coach Don Ramer played for Ohio State coach Bob Todd and assistant Greg Cypret when they were at Kent State.

"I told them one of these days I'm going to get a player for them and I told them about Tim his sophomore year," Ramer said. "They came up and saw him and wanted him right away."

Summer League Buckeyes: Burkhart named CCBL All-Star Alternate

Photo is property of the Boston Red Sox

HYANNIS, Mass. – The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox have a league-leading seven All-Stars in the 47th Under Armour Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game to be held on Thursday, July 23 at Boston’s Fenway Park.

Each 21-player team was selected in a meeting of the team’s 10 managers in Hyannis Thursday morning. The rosters are comprised of 10 starters, 11 reserves, and four alternate players.

Cotuit skipper Mike Roberts, coach of the defending West Division regular season champions, will lead the West All-Stars. Hyannis’ Chad Gassman, Wareham’s Cooper Farris, Bourne’s Harvey Shapiro, and Cotuit assistant Noah Scott round out the rest of the West coaching staff. The head coach of the East is Harwich’s Steve Englert after Kelly Nicholson, coach of defending East regular season champion Orleans Firebirds, deferred the head coaching role to Englert, coach of the defending league champion Mariners. Nicholson, Brewster’s Tom Myers, Y-D’s Scott Pickler, and Harwich assistant Peter Pasquarosa fill out the remainder of the East staff.

Y-D, which sits in a tie for second in the East Division, lead the way with seven All-Stars, including three starters: Micky Wiswall (Boston College), who is tied for the league lead with 18 RBI, shortstop Blake Kelso (Houston), and outfielder Austin Wates (Virginia Tech), who leads the league in hitting at .385. Infielder Tyler Hanover (LSU), and pitchers Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast), John Leonard (Boston College), and closer Tyler Burgoon (Michigan) are also headed to Fenway Park for Y-D next Thursday.

The other East starters include Orleans speedster Gary Brown (Cal State Fullerton), Brewster’s power-hitting third baseman Jedd Gyorko (West Virginia), second basemen Colin Walsh (Stanford), and designated hitter John Barr (Virginia), along with Harwich outfielder Daniel Grovatt (Virginia). Chatham's Mike Murray (Wake Forest) starts behind the plate for the East and is backed up by Dan Butler (Arizona) from Brewster.

The starting pitcher for the East is Orlean’s Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) who comes into Thursday with a 0.96 ERA and 26 strikeouts in just 18.2 innings pitched. Rasmussen is joined by a stellar pitching staff that includes Orleans teammates Casey Gaynor (Rutgers) and Elliot Glynn (Connecticut), Brewster’s Kyle Blair (San Diego), Harwich’s Aaron Meade (Missouri State) and Chatham closer Russell Brewer (Vanderbilt), who is tied with Y-D’s Burgoon for the league lead in saves with seven.

Falmouth and Cotuit lead the way for West All-Stars, each providing five players on the 21-man squad. Falmouth’s outfield duo of Brian Fletcher (Auburn) and Todd Cunningham (Jacksonville State), who is second in the league in hitting at .368, get the start in left and center fields. Joining them from Falmouth is shortstop B.A. Vollmuth (Southern Miss) and pitchers Patrick Cooper (Des Moines CC) and Taylor Wall (Rice).

Cotuit, also with five players on the roster, will send three starters: third basemen Zach Cox (Arkansas), outfielder Zach Cone (Georgia), and catcher Cody Stanley (UNC Wilmington). Another Cotuit catcher, Cameron Rupp (Texas), will back up Stanley on the All-Star roster. Pitcher Daniel Tillman (Florida Southern) gets the nod as a reserve.

Joining the Falmouth and Cotuit players in the West starting lineup are Bourne first basemen Kyle Roller (East Carolina), Hyannis second basemen Nick Crawford (UAB), and Hyannis designated hitter Ryan Cuneo (Delaware), who is tied with the aforementioned Mickey Wiswall for the league lead in RBI. Derek Dietrich (Georgia Tech) is the reserve infielder for the West. Starting for the West is Wareham’s Brandon Workman (Texas).

Two more of Workman’s teammates are on the West pitching staff: Jack Armstrong (Vanderbilt), son of the former major leaguer of the same name, and Eric Pfisterer (Duke). Hyannis’ Dallas Gallant (Sam Houston), Bourne’s Stephen Harrold (UNC Wilmington) and Kevin Munson (James Madison) are also on the West staff.

Prior to the game, six players will partake in the Home Run Hitting Contest. Starting third basemen Jedd Gyorko (3 HR), Harwich’s Connor Powers (1 HR), and Brewster infielder Harold Martinez (1 HR) will represent the East Division. The West will be represented by Falmouth’s Hunter Morris (4 HR), Wareham’s Brett Eibner (2 HR), and Cotuit’s Kevin Patterson (3 HR).

Fenway Park gates open for the All-Star Game at 3 p.m. on July 23. Batting practice and autograph sessions will take place until the Home Run Hitting Contest at 5:15 p.m. The 47th Under Armour All-Star Game gets underway at 7 p.m.

The New England Sports Network (NESN) will provide a live telecast of the game. Local NPR affiliate WCAI (90.1 fm) will provide radio coverage. NPR’s Neal Conan will do play-by-play and the Cape League’s John Garner will handle the color commentary.

For tickets, visit any one of the 10 league parks, as the teams are competing to see who can sell the most tickets. Or call 617-REDSOX9 to order tickets. There is also a promotion to bid on being the "batboy/girl " for the game on www.capecodbaseball.org through Monday.


Photo Courtesy the-ozone.net

Burkhart who is spending the summer playing for the Hyannis Mets, was named a reserve to the west division all-star team as the roster was announced. The entire roster can be found here.

For the summer Burkhart is hitting .250 with the wooden bat appearing in 15 games. The Big Ten Player of the Year adds another honor to a memorable 2009 year. As were the previous to updates here on the Buckeye Nine, Burkhart is a grad of Cincinnati Moeller and like Wimmers and Oltorik, Burkhart will go a long way in the Buckeyes 2010 title defense.

Interview with pitcher Ross Oltorik

Photo Courtesy Jim Davidson and Dan Harker of the O-Zone.net

Deion Sanders, Michael Jordan, Ross Oltorik? The Buckeye Nine catches up ex-Moeller Crusader and two-sport star Ross Oltorik.


Throughout Ohio kids in every town, city, suburb, and countryside dream of one day playing football inside the Horseshoe, running out of the tunnel in Ohio Stadium, and owning a pair of Gold Pants for beating Michigan. Doing their best Joey Galloway, Eddie George, or Troy Smith impersonation, having the goal of being the second Mr. two-time, and having memories of colored in Scarlet & Gray, to become an Ohio State football is certainly the childhood dream of many.

In other neighborhoods, alleys, barns, and communities, the pastime of America lives on. Kids gathering in a sandlot doing their best Ken Griffey Jr. stance, high schoolers leading off first base with the quiet confidence of Kenny Lofton looking to steal second, and youth being served as kids who couldn't tell the difference of a 4-6-3 and 6-4-3 playing tee-ball with a joy and smile as big as Nick Swisher's custom grin. Hey kids dream of playing baseball too, and the potential chance of dawning the Scarlet & Gray in Bill Davis Stadium is just as big as the like in Ohio Stadium.

Unfortunately in life these dreams are nothing more than dreams. Maybe one kid from a town every three or five years and live the dream of playing a sport for Ohio State. To play both? Unheard of. Sophomore to be Ross Oltorik defines the odds. As a student-athlete at Ohio State, Oltorik can proudly show off the jewlery that comes with being a Big Ten Champion football player and Big Ten Champion baseball player. Now Jordan, and Sanders are world-class athletes in truly a class of their own. But Olrotik as Sanders did can say he played two sports at one of the nations premiere universities and athletic programs.

The Buckeye Nine was able to catch up with Oltorik, he was gracious enough to lend the B9 some time, hopefully providing an insight on being a two-sport athlete, but sense this is a baseball blog, also touching up on the 2009 season of the Buckeyes and what to expect in 2010.

B9: Just briefly the summer so far, how’s it going? Any baseball activity for you?



RO: The summer in terms of baseball activity for me has gone a bit on the slower side. And that is what I wanted. I got hurt towards the end of the year and I do not want to rush anything to set me back even further.

In the past week though I have thrown and I am working with my pitching coach from back home in Cincinnati. I may pitch for the Cincinnati Steam in the Great Lakes League towards the end of July.

Working out on the other hand has gone great. It is really nice to be home and relax. It had been a long year. I am eager to get back on the mound and feel like this coming year should be a great year for Ohio State.


B9: Obviously your summer baseball schedule has to work around or with your summer football schedule, as a two-sport athlete here at OSU, how are you able to handle both sports?


RO: The coaches were great last year with me playing two sports. I thought it may get a little rough with one coach trying to pull you away from the other, but all in all last year I have no complaints with that.

The football team was great with me pursuing what I needed in baseball and the baseball team was great with allowing me to miss the fall. I could not complain with the baseball team’s effort in allowing me to miss the fall other than me coming over a couple times a week to throw. The team when I came to baseball workouts after football was finished was very supportive and held no grudges on me for missing.

B9: Was being able to play both sports a decision that went into your recruitment and choice for school?


RO: Playing two sports here at OSU was huge in my decision to come here. During the recruiting process I was torn whether I should play football at the next level or baseball. I knew that I had to stick with baseball, but also I wanted to play football at the next level if that opportunity arose.

Some other schools were allowing me to play both, but the baseball team here was generous enough to give me what I needed financially as well as give me the opportunity to play football as well. I could not be thankful enough for what Ohio State has done for me thus far.

B9: Coach Tressel is synonymous with Ohio State football, as well as the school. Being able to play under him what is he like that most do not get to see?


RO: Coach Tressel is a class act. If I wanted to I could be here all day discussing how great of not only a coach but how great he is as a person.

Through this process of me maybe one day having to choose one sport he has been completely honest with me and has looked me in the eye and told me what he believes is the correct choice for me. He is a man of his word and that is why I feel he is where he is today.

So far I know if I need to talk to anyone about anything, I know I can always go to him. I know that Ohio State football is where it is today because of him. He is not only a person you can model your program around but you can model your whole university around him.

B9: Moeller has established a nice pipeline with Ohio State; you're a part of a team with 4 ex-Moeller athletes, what does that say about the program and level of baseball in Cincinnati?



RO: I feel that the level of baseball in Cincinnati has helped me become the player I am today. Having 4 kids from the same high school all within a year of each other says a lot. But at the same time I know that for each one of us, just being here at the college level is not enough we want to now make a name for ourselves as players. I feel that the background we have can aid us in doing that, but at the same time it will not just happen we have to put hours and hours in to get what we want.

B9: Does it help when you're on the mound and to already have had years throwing to Burkhart?


RO: Haha Wimmers is going to knock me but I have been throwing to Dan since I was about nine too haha. But the success Alex has had this year was just unbelievable to see and we all have been playing on the same team since we were about 8 or 9.

So, I was not just throwing to Dan in high school. I have been throwing to Dan pretty much my whole baseball career so far. A couple years in there we didn’t play on the same team but I feel like we both know each other pretty well and he makes me feel pretty comfortable out there.

B9: Unfortunately your season came to an end with an injury in early May. Just two weeks prior you had your best outing versus Ball State. Did you start to feel your stuff coming around as the season went on?


RO: Well, yes unfortunately I did end up with some bursitis actually in my shoulder in early May. As any one would be I was pretty devastated about that. I finally felt that I had got my mind right and ready to help the team out as much as I could. But, the injury did not allow that.

B9: Without having the luxury of participating in fall ball, did it take a few appearances for the best to come out?


RO: I felt that missing fall ball may have affected me a bit, but honestly I feel that my first couple outings I just did not have my mind right. I was trying to prove something to the guys and I was not being myself. I finally started settling in. My mechanics were not correct either, making my off-speed pitches not what they should have been. I figured that out against Ball State and started to be myself. As the season went on I felt that I was settling in and started to find my off-speed.

B9: Obviously any and every athlete hates injuries and want to perform at every possibility, though you weren't able to compete, how does the experience of being a part of a Regional and the time spent in Tallahassee play a role in both your personal and the teams progression?


RO: I am going to be honest with you here, not being able to play and compete the last month of the season completely sucked. But I can learn from what it’s like not getting the chance to play and know what it feels like.

Also, I was pretty disappointed but I did not attend Tallahassee. I feel like the coaching staff did not believe I was injured. I don’t know the reasoning on that but it was a choice they made and both parties need to go from here. I just started throwing the baseball off flat ground this past week and if I was not hurt I would have been playing for my summer team already this summer.

B9: Coming off of a Big Ten championship, Ohio State is only losing 3 seniors to graduation, and returning starters in nearly every position, I'm sure the goal is there to repeat, but are you and your teammates expecting a repeat? Is it a "hey the championship comes through Columbus" mindset?


RO: I feel that our team’s expectations are not only a repeat but we expect to get out of the Regionals this year. We know we can do it; it’s just if we are going to stay focused. As a pitcher I know I need to try not to overuse my arm throughout the season as well as everyone else, so at the end of the season we are at our best. We have a humble team but I know in the back of their minds they are thinking the championship comes through Columbus.

B9: Without giving too much away, what are the keys to your success as a pitcher? What types of pitches do you throw and as a result what tells you when you're on your A game?


RO: For me when I am on my game I feel that it’s when I am able to establish my off speed. I throw a 2 and 4 seem fastball, a curveball, and a circle-change. I have been working on slider. But I feel that if I can establish my off speed and make every pitch look the same then I know for me that I am feeling my best on the mound. That goes for any pitcher, but if I can do that every time out no matter the result of what the hitter does I will be happy.

B9: Any personal goals you have for 2010 and thoughts on what the Buckeye faithful should see from Ross Oltorik?



RO: I have some personal goals that I tend to keep in my heart. But I know if I continue over the summer getting better and just being myself then I will help this team out tremendously.

I hope to put my team in position to win each and every time I go out there. And I will do whatever it takes to help the Buckeyes win a 2010 Big Ten championship.

The Buckeye Nine wants to thank Oltorik for taking the time to be able to answer the questions and provide some insight into not only being a two-sport athlete, but being a Buckeye pitcher as the Bucks in 2010 are on the title defense. Oltorik was a highly sought after recruit coming out of Moeller in 2008. The Buckeye Scout had Oltorik the 3rd best player in the state and the top right-handed pitcher in the 2008 class. With a healthy Oltorik the Buckeyes present a danger to many teams across America as they look to build upon their Regional berth, and pitching will be the key to a successful season. Good luck to Oltorik on the gridiron.

Summer League Buckeyes: Wimmers make Cape rotation debut

Photo Courtesy Bourne Braves

Better late than never. Cliche? Yes. story of the summer for Buckeye All-American pitcher Alex Wimmers in his time in the prestigeous Cape Cod Baseball League? Yes.

You can't fault Wimmers for the tardiness in making his first start as a Bourne Brave, he spent two weeks in late June competing for a spot on Team USA's collegiate roster which is an OK excuse. It wasn't in the cards for the ace to be selected as one of the 22 college players to represent the Red, White, and Blue of America, but the Red, White, and Blue of the Bourne Braves will gladly have him on their team.

Wimmers made his CCBL debut July 5th against the Wareham Gateman. Ironically, though it was a game played in the heart of New England, a quick glance at the box score would have made it seem like another day in mid-April as Indiana University's Blake Monar was on the mound for the opposing Gatemen. Wimmers topped Monar and the Hoosiers on their Florida trip, winning 2-0 in a complete game shutout, while Monar gained a bit of revenge defeating the Buckeyes during the Big Ten Tournament. In the rubber match Wimmers would take the upperhand.

Coming in to pitch the 6th and 7th innings was the right-handed flamethrower from Cincinnati Moeller. Wimmers who finished the 2009 season third all-time in single season strikeouts, and in the top 5 nationally, continued a to make opposing hitters look foolish. Wimmers would strike out two batters over the two innings, he would allow a two-out solo home run off the bat of Shea Vucinich in the 6th, but responded with a perfect 7th inning, that included a induced ground out off the bat of Indiana and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Alex Dickerson. Wimmers and the Braves would win 8-5.

Wimmers return to the mound for an inning July 8th, as the Braves faced off against the Falmouth Commodores. Alex tossed a one walk, one strike out performance in pitching the 6th inning as the Braves would win 3-1.

After two solid outings in relief pitching, allowing one run in three innings, following a traditional five days length of rest, Wimmers made his debut in the Bourne rotation. The calendar showed July 13th, the opponent was the Orleans Firebirds, and the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year finally show the rest of the collegiate world what those in Columbus and cities across the Midwest knew. The Bucks have one of the nations best.

Wimmers pitched five very solid innings Monday night in a no decision, Braves loss. Wimmers allowed a solo home run to start the 4th, it would be just one of the two hits he allowed on the night. Three Firebirds reached base on walks, but six went down as strike out victims, a situation all too familiar for opposing hitters facing Wimmers. The box score for the night.

Wimmers numbers on the year after his first start are: 8 innings pitched, 3 hits, 2 earn runs, 4 walks, 11 strike outs. Oh and opponents are batting .111 off of the All-American.

After as fine of a season as you'll see out of a sophomore, to receive an invite to the Team USA trials, to come out on fire in the Cape, it appears the sky is the limit for Wimmers. This coming from someone who no-hit Michigan, it appears Wimmers might now just be scratching his potential. The Buckeyes as Big Ten Championships will be getting everyone's best shot, with a bullseye and microscope on Wimmers. With the way he's thrown against the cream of the crop, don't expect Wimmers to lose sleep over it as he anchors the Buckeyes in 2010.

Summer League Buckeyes: Roster changes

Just a few updates on where Buckeyes are spending the summer.

Cape Cod:

After not being name to the Team USA Collegiate Baseball roster, Alex Wimmers has finally arrived in the Cape and has started his summer with the Bourne Braves. Alex has appeared in one game, he threw two innings, allowed a solo home run, but that was the only hit against Wimmers. In those two innings, Wimmers struck out four, continuing the dominance we saw this spring that made him an All American.

Valley Baseball League:

The Valley was the exit of one Buckeye but the entrance of another. Joining Buckeye teammates Jared Strayer and Brian DeLucia this past week was catch Shawn Forsythe as a Rockbridge Rapid. Forsythe has appeared in two games, starting one, and is looking for his first hit of the summer after going hitless in his first five tries.

Great Lakes:

As one came in, one went out. Tyler Engle who was one of a trio of Buckeyes spending the summer as a Luray Wrangler has relocated and playing summer ball closer to home, but as found himself still in the company of a Buckeye. After hitting .313 in the Valley, Tyler Engle has found a spot on the Licking County Settlers roster for the remainder of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League season. Engle made his first appearance in a Settlers game last night as a pinch-hitter. Engle joins Eric Best as the Ohio State student-athletes participating in the GLSCL doubles from one to two.

I will do my best to keep everyone informed as to where the Buckeyes are spending their summers and how they are performing, as well as checking in with a trio of Buckeyes who are not on a wooden bat circuit but are day in and day out trying to improve their game as the Buckeyes in 2010 will look to defend their title.

Summer League Buckeyes: Best becoming one of the GLSCL's best

Photo courtesy Jim Davidson at the-ozone.net

I've been fortunate this season to snag an internship with the Licking County Settlers of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League that has teams here in Ohio and in Indiana. The GLSCL is a summer league that houses most of its players from the MAC, the Horizon Conference, a few DIII and NAIA schools, but sprinkled in will be the occasional Big Ten player from Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, and Indiana.

Most seasons the Buckeyes will have a little more than half a dozen of its players playing in the GLSCL, most notably with the Columbus All Americans who played their games out of Bill Davis Stadium, and the Delaware Cows. For the 2009 season and foreseeable future the All Americans and Cows removed themselves from the summer league eliminating two local havens for Buckeyes to play, and as a result only one Ohio State student-athlete graces a GLSCL roster this summer.

Eric Best the upcoming Senior left-handed pitcher from Olentangy Liberty in Lewis Center, OH, is spending his second summer with the Licking County Settlers. His two stints in the GLSCL is sandwiched around his 2008 summer in the Alaskan League.

The early disappointment in not seeing other Buckeyes this summer as I travel and call games involving the Settlers and the 8 other teams in the league has been washed away by the efforts and performances Best has put on. I've been able to call and provide commentary in two of Eric's three starts this summer and it has been a joy seeing Best take the mound throwing and reaching the potential he flashed at times this past spring.

On the year Best has appeared in three games all being starts, thrown 14 innings, allowing 3 runs all earned, striking out twelve while yet to yield a walk. As a result of his dominance Best is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA, a .241 batting average against a .92 WHIP surrendering just 13 hits in those 14 innings.

Best has thrived under the tutelage of Settlers pitching coach Kory Hartman who from 2005-2009 was the pitching coach at Ohio Dominican University here in Columbus. Hartman resigned from that position to become the first head coach in program history as the University of Northwest Ohio will be fielding its first baseball program starting in 2011. Hartman was able to develop two ODU Panthers into draft picks this past spring, and his knowledge and commitment to the pitching aspect of baseball has undoubtedly progress Best as a pitcher.

Best as the Buckeyes #3 and Sunday starter this past Spring did an admirable job, returning to the rotation after spending the prior season and summer working strictly as a closer. Best with 7-4 with a 5.95 for Bob Todd's Buckeyes during their Big Ten Championship season.

Though he was effective, there were times where Best would struggle to secure a quality start and go a solid 6 or 7 innings. In fact only twice in Big Ten play did Best go 6 innings, coming in the conference opening Penn State series and the Big Ten Championship clinching and season finale Iowa game.

When Eric struggled and conversely when he was on top of his game throwing late into games, Best's walks were the key issue. In 75.2 innings, Best placed 34 base-runners on via the free pass. When Best put a runner on base courtesy of a walk and throwing out of the stretch it appeared he was unable to fully get his breaking ball over and in for strikes and that produced an over-reliance of fastballs and compounding control issues. Also due to the lack of healthy arms, Best was a pitcher Bob Todd at times threw mid-week, following his summer start, not fully giving Eric the time need to rest and really work on finer aspects of his game.

This summer has been a completely different Best. Outside of having a set pitching schedule and numerous days off between starts, when he has started its been good. The excellence of Best goes further than issuing 0 walks in 14 innings. when the count goes 3-2, or 3-1, he is able to locate his off-speed pitches and getting his breaking ball in for strikes. Being able to keep hitters off balance has been a major part of Best's early summer success, in being able to throw three pitches for strikes allows him to really control at-bats and get out of trouble if it comes his way. Best has found the tools and pitching with effectiveness that made him a successful starter in his 2006 freshman season.

With the graduation of All American closer Jake Hale some assume the closer's role might go back to Best, given the way he performed as a closer in both the spring and summer 2008 seasons. Given the way I have seen him pitch this summer, the confidence he has, and the stuff he has shown, if Best does remain a starter, the Buckeyes in 2010 will have an entire weekend rotation that can lead them to a defense of the Big Ten Championship.

The Settlers play their games at Don Edwards Park in Newark, Ohio. Best's next start will probably come Tuesday July 7th, as the Settlers take on the Southern Ohio Copperheads. You can catch Settlers home games online, and listen to me and the voice of the Settlers Ben Bradley by following this link.

Buckeyes in the Minors: Luebke on Baseball America's All-Surprise Team

Baseball America Staff Report
July 3, 2009

The Padres tried to put Luebke on the fast track after drafting him in the supplemental first round in 2007 out of Ohio State. He wasn't ready, and had to go back to the Midwest League last year, but he's returned to form this year, earning his way to Double-A after going 8-2, 2.34 in the Cal League.

Luebke's numbers during the 2009 between the two levels: 9-2, 2.31 ERA, 84 strikeouts in 93 IP, 1.02 WHIP, .226 BAA.

Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com: NCAA draws northern ire with more February baseball

Minneapolis-While most fans equate March and spring with the start of the baseball season, a new NCAA legislative act will make college baseball in February a cold reality.

The NCAA Division I Legislative Council passed a legislative act April 20 adding one week to the college baseball season. As of Monday, 56 teams have petitioned against the new rule, including Minnesota.

The extra week, which will increase the college baseball season from 13 weeks to 14 weeks, will be added to the beginning of the regular season.

While one more week of baseball in February might not be a big deal to southern schools, northern schools such as Minnesota are not welcoming the idea of an extra week of early baseball.

“We are in favor of an extra week at the end of the season — not the beginning,” Gophers assistant coach Rob Fornasiere said. “The extra week goes against what the Big Ten stands for, which is creating parity and equality between teams.”

The legislative move adding one week has been placed in effect immediately, and the extra week of baseball will begin in the 2010 season.

For schools that object to the extra week of early baseball, there is an appeals process. Override requests, which are a formal appeal of the legislative action, can be made by any school. All 11 Big Ten schools have submitted such requests, according to Senior Associate Athletic Director Regina Sullivan . However, just having the Big Ten appeal is not enough.

According to Sullivan, it takes 30 of these override requests for the NCAA committee to reconsider their position. Even at 30 requests, the legislation is still in effect while the committee reconsiders its position. Only at 100 requests is the legislative action suspended pending a formal review.

The deadline to file such requests was Monday, June 29. The NCAA rule committee announced that a total of 56 override requests had been filed by the deadline. This ensures that the rules committee will review the new legislative move, but the extra week will continue to be in effect while the review takes place.

For programs like Minnesota, the short notice of an extra week of baseball leaves them in a precarious position.

“We have no budget for such a last minute thing,” Fornasiere said.

No budget to travel means Minnesota will likely be forced to make up those games by hosting a round-robin tournament. The tournament will be between fellow northern teams, he said.

Where those games will be played also is an issue of concern. The Metrodome — the Gophers’ usual home in the early part of the season — might not be available because of conflicts with already scheduled events.

Pending a successful appeal, northern schools will have to begin planning for an extra week of games to be played in early February.

While Fornasiere said he believes the academic overload of a busy 13-week schedule and the need to provide student-athletes with more of a break was the selling point of the additional week to the committee, it’s reasoning he’s not buying.

The motive of southern teams, who stand to gain three extra home games, as well as allowing their best pitchers to pitch in three more games, is the real motivating factor, Fornasiere said.

“The Big Ten has been doing [the current schedule] for years with academic success,” he said.

Further rule changes

The NCAA Baseball Rules Committee is in an off-year for creating new rules affecting game-play, meaning that no new rules will take effect for next season. However, issues are still discussed with the committee for possible installation in future seasons.

The committee is likely reviewing the issue of bat rolling, or when bats are tampered with illegally to increase performance. The discussion would then lead to looking at a rule change next year, when they convene for a full look at rule-changes.

Buckeyes in the Minors: Courtesy BuckeyeSports.com

The longer I'm in this "blogging business" a few things I have learned. First, if you have an idea, do it. Because second, if you don't someone else will.

Well I've been wanting to update the world on the former Buckeyes in the minor leagues and how they're doing. Unfortunately I've been struggling to find the time to sit down and do it, my apologies, with work, interning, and starting this new Ohio baseball site.

Fortunately, BuckeyeSports.com did took the time to look up and see how former players were doing. Kudos to the Buckeye Sports Bulletin for taking time and effort to follow some of our former Buckeyes, when up to this point, the Department of Athletics has embarrassingly put out little regarding even our current Buckeyes and their summer situations. They even plug the Buckeye Nine.


Talkin' Baseball and the Buckeyes
By Marcus Hartman
BuckeyeSports.com
Posted Jul 1, 2009

First, on Eric Fryer: the Yanks traded the outfielder who can also catch as part of a deal to acquire veteran third baseman Eric Hinske on Tuesday, a move MLB.com seems to think could have been in the works for a while:

The Pirates have had their eye on Fryer for over a year now, with Huntington noting that the Pirates tried to acquire him last year while Fryer was in the Brewers' system. Fryer, 23, has been playing with the Yankees' high Class A Tampa affiliate, where he made 55 appearances in left, five behind the plate and one in right this season. In 59 games, he's hit .250 with 11 doubles, two home runs, 24 RBIs and 34 runs scored. Fryer, a 10th-round Draft selection in 2007, has been assigned to high Class A Lynchburg, and the Pirates plan to develop him as a catcher.

New York originally acquired Fryer this past offseason after he had a huge season in Single-A for the Milwaukee Brewers organization...


Other MiLB performers of note this year (this is not a comprehensive list but rather some highlights):

Outfielder Matt Angle is hitting .282 with 24 stolen bases in 30 tries in 66 games for the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles) in advanced Single-A in the Carolina League.

First baseman Ronnie Bourquin was recently called up to Double-A Erie in the Eastern League after a torrid 62 games with West Michigan in low Single-A. For the Whitecaps, he hit .304 with 21 doubles and 47 RBI. He is off to a slow start with the SeaWolves, however, with seven hits in his first 23 at-bats (.174 average). He did hit a homer and a triple while driving in five runs in his first seven games in Erie.

Also sent to Double-A recently but having a much better go of it (and in the Southern League) is outfielder Doug Deeds, who is hitting .352 with an 1.011 OPS in 16 games with the Tennessee Smokies. The downside for Deeds? His move this season was down rather than up. He began the year with Iowa in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, where he batted .264 with 15 extra-base hits in 47 games after being a non-roster invitee to spring training. He drove in 18 and struck out 37 times with 10 walks in Iowa.

A bit further down the line, Jack "J.B." Shuck entered July hitting .314 with 15 stolen bases and a .393 OBP through 70 games for the Lancaster JetHawks in the advanced Single-A California League. Among his 91 hits were 13 doubles and six triples in his first full year as a pro.

Turning to pitchers, we have two notable Buckeyes.

June 29, lefty Cory Luebke made his first appearance of the season in Double-A, and it was winning debut for the Maria Stein Marion Local product. Pitching for San Antonio in the Padres organization, he struck out four while walking one and allowing four hits and one run (earned) in 5.0 innings. That was after going 8-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 14 starts in the California League.

Meanwhile, second-year pro Dan DeLucia made his first appearance of the year with one inning for the Gulf Coach League Blue Jays in rookie ball June 23. He struck out one and walked another while not allowing a hit. (DeLucia, by the way, is a writer for the website ColumbusSports.com, and he chronicles some of his travels there, as you'll see if you follow this link).

As blog The Buckeye Nine pointed out last week, Luebke and Bourquin both took part in midseason all-star games in June.

With all that said, we have to leave you with some bad news: Former Ohio State LHP and the Cleveland Indians' starter in the home opener this season Scott Lewis will see Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion about his ailing pitching arm, says The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.