Looked up some USA SOUTH players in the Pro's and their recent seasons:
Methodist University
David Hoffman (2007 - Schaumburg Flyers, Ind) - .286, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 13 BB (28G, 70 AB)
Blake Maxwell (2008 - Lancaster JetHawks, High A) 5-9, 3.32 ERA, 133 INN, 37 G, 15 GS
Christopher Newport University
Kenny Moreland (2008 - Bluefield Orioles, Rookie) 6-4, 2.93 ERA, 67.2 INN, 65 K's, 6 BB, 13 GS
(Promoted to Class A, Frederick Keys)
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Chris Pecora (2008 - Gateway Grizzlies, Ind) .256, 2HR, 14 RBI, 10 SB (49G, 164 AB)
Buddy Hernandez (2008 - Camden Riversharks, Ind) 3-4, 4.99 ERA, 61.1 INN, 69 K's, 47G, 4 SV
(Pitched for AAA Richmond Braves 2003-2007)
Ferrum College
Billy Wagner (2008 - NY Mets, MLB) 0-1, 2.30 ERA, 47 INN, 52 K's, 10 BB (45 G, 27 SV)
Update on Buddy Hernandez, he has taken a job as a Area Scout Supervisor for the Braves. He covers Florida.
Does anybody know if Chris Pecora is going to get another shot to get pick up this spring? I know he played Indy ball this past year, but I have no doubt in my mind that he can play for some organization....
Aren't there a few guys from Averett still kicking around in A ball?
Does anybody have any idea what level the Moreland kid from CNU will start at? Would love to see him pitch sometime this summer.
i posted this on the main usasac board, but it's probably more appropriate here...former monarch blake maxwell (http://www.mumonarchs.com/news/2009/3/9/BB_0309091700.aspx) picked up a save in spring training for the red sox
Moreland is now at the O's minor league Spring Training Camp in Florida and the feeling was prior to camp that he would start the year at Delmarva (A). All of the Moreland fans hope to see him back in Frederick (or beyond ;D) eventually this year. He developed a great changeup to go with his curve and fastball last summer, and If he keeps improving and throwing strikes, he will hopefully keep moving up.
Thanks for the info boys...
This is off the Orioles Hangout website about Kenny Moreland
QuoteKen Moreland was an undrafted free agent signed by the Orioles after the draft and ended up having a nice season at Bluefield where he posted a 2.93 ERA with a 65-6 K-BB ratio in 67.2 innings over 13 starts. Listed at just 5-10, Moreland is probably closer to 5-8 and his fastball is not going to light up the radar gun (he was 85-86 this spring, but reportedly pitches in the 87-90 range), but what he showed me was an ability to mix his pitches and throw strikes in the few innings I saw him pitch this spring. His changeup has drop to it and his 11-5 curveball had some bite to it as well. His ceiling is not very high and he'll need to continue to put up numbers as he moves up the chain, but don't be surprised is he has a nice season at Delmarva if he makes the rotation.
Thanks for the paragraph on Moreland. He is definitely in the 5-10 range. Certainly not 5-8. For whatever that's worth. I know that height gets exaggerated, but in his case I think 5-10 is about right.
Being 6'3" and having stood next to Moreland many times, he sure isn't 5'8" and 5'10 is about right, maybe a tad taller. Velocity-wise, at CNU he was frequently gunned in the 90-93 range, but like any pitcher also was gunned lower, especially in early season, cold weather, etc.
Hopefully he'll have another good season and give the O's every reason to move him up the ladder. They are somewhat short on control pitchers in Baltimore, so he'd be a breath of fresh air if he gets there some day.
This should be a make or break year for Kenny. Pitching in Rookie ball is basically a glorified high school all star summer league most of the guys he was pitching against were late round college guys and fresh out of HS players. If he is in Short Season A or at Delmarva this will be a true test of pro hitters for him. I hope the best for him but this year will tell us a lot if he can move up in the minors ranks.
blake maxwell is with the AA Portland Sea Dogs (http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=546&stn=true&sid=t546) (with travis beasley from RMC) - no word on how they'll use him (he started 15 games last year at Lancaster)
blake has a 20-18 minor league record with a 3.79 era, 25 saves, 315.2 ip, 315 hits allowed, 179 k's and 66 bb's....not bad numbers
Scouting Report: Imposing mound presence with a side-arm delivery. Possesses a high-80s to low-90s fastball along with a decent slider and change-up. Very good control. Not a big strikeout pitcher, but induces a lot of groundballs. Works best when his confidence is up and he's going at hitters. Has had an up-and-down career with the Sox, but has taken well to the organizations' development and has even instituted some major mechanical changes. Used in both a starting and a bullpen role in 2008, showed success in both roles.
http://www.soxprospects.com/players/maxwell-blake.htm
Quote from: narch on April 07, 2009, 02:44:01 PM
blake maxwell is with the AA Portland Sea Dogs (http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ros&cid=546&stn=true&sid=t546) (with travis beasley from RMC) - no word on how they'll use him (he started 15 games last year at Lancaster)
blake has a 20-18 minor league record with a 3.79 era, 25 saves, 315.2 ip, 315 hits allowed, 179 k's and 66 bb's....not bad numbers
Scouting Report: Imposing mound presence with a side-arm delivery. Possesses a high-80s to low-90s fastball along with a decent slider and change-up. Very good control. Not a big strikeout pitcher, but induces a lot of groundballs. Works best when his confidence is up and he's going at hitters. Has had an up-and-down career with the Sox, but has taken well to the organizations' development and has even instituted some major mechanical changes. Used in both a starting and a bullpen role in 2008, showed success in both roles.
http://www.soxprospects.com/players/maxwell-blake.htm
Hey did they use the scouting report I wrote up him when I saw him a few years back.
I was looking to see which level Kenny Moreland was going to play at this summer, I couldnt find his name on any roster. Does anyone know if he got released?
Chris Pecora- released by Gateway Grizzlies
It is my understanding that Moreland is in extended Spring Training and will go with the short-season A club.
Methodist Blake Maxwell was sent down yesterday from AA Porland Sea Dogs to Low A Lowell Spinners. He was one of the last cuts by the Red Sox in spring training. His current stats are:
4 G/ 2 GS / 0-0, 9.64 ERA, 9.1 INN, 16 HITS, 3 BB, 9 K's, OPP BA .364
rough start so far....
With the MLB draft coming up next months, what is the possibilities of some of the USA SOUTH seniors getting drafted? Some of the ones that come to my mind from watching them are:
3B Zollie Woodlief (NCWC) .360, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 9 doubles, .562 SLUG%
OF Luke Williford (NCWC) .345, 5 HR, 47 RBI, 43 R, 14 doubles, 29 SB
SS Trae Bailey (CNU) .404, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 55 R, 35 BB, .635 SLUG%, 2 time USA SOUTH POTY
OF/P Mike Giarrizzi (CNU) 2-3, 1.61 ERA, 1 SV, 22.1 INN, 11 H, 14 BB, 43 K, OPP .145, 16 SB
OF Brad Davis (Methodist) .407, 8 HR, 42 RBI, 34 R, 7 SB, .699 SLUG%
C Dustin Proctor (Methodist) .343, 10 HR, 39 RBI, 48 R, 14 doubles, 12 SB, .686 SLG%
P Matthew Davis (Shenandoah) 3-1, 3.00 ERA, 20 G, 3 SV, 39 INN, 31 H, 13 BB, 50 K, OPP .218
P Josh Simmons (Shenandoah) 5-0, 3.79 ERA, 9 GS, 3 CG, 57 INN, 54 H, 14 BB, 51 K, OPP .250
OF Scott Lambert (Shenandoah) .410, 1 HR, 43 RBI, 56 R, 4 3B, 25 BB, 17 SB
i'm not the resident draft expert (that's catfish), but i'm not sure any of them are draftable players...bailey has the best shot, i think, because he's a pretty slick defender, has a solid arm and can hit for a little power, but i don't think he's got enough speed to be drafted - proctor might have a shot as a catcher, too...he's got a strong arm and a lot of pop and plus speed for the position, but i'm not sure and catcher is a tough position to fill...but i thought jesus adames would be drafted about 4 or 5 years ago, and he wasn't - the numbers that davis put up this year are impressive and he's a 6'2" lhp, so he might have a shot, as well...anybody who looks at the mu/su box score from 03/7/09 probably will refrain from drafting simmons, though :)
with all of these guys, nothing about their game is extraordinary when comparing them with ALL of the draft-eligible players out there, although every one of them was a fantastic division III player - i wouldn't be shocked to see a couple of them sign as f/a's or playing independent ball somewhere, though
I think the USA South will be without a drafted player this year. Though stranger things have happened in the past. I think we will see a few guys sign as FA's depending on teams needs after the draft to fill lower level roster spots and also those same players will have a chance to play in independent ball. We have lot of players who either put up good numbers or have talent but what hurts the players is a lack of tools. Players are not drafted on the ability to preform in the minors they are drafted with the potential to make the big club if they can turn those tools into a skill.
I like Matthew Davis's chances. Lefties get a break on arm speed. He's got good size and good pop and movement on his fastball.
Hot off the press-CNU's Kenny Moreland was called up to High A Frederick yesterday. Go get 'em Kenny! :).
That is great news about Kenny Moreland!
Kenny goes 4.1 innings and gives up 2 earned runs. Only gave up two hits and 1 walk. Not bad for his 1st start of the year outside of Extended Spring Training. Go Kenny we are all rooting for you.
And now Moreland is sent to Short Season Aberdeen where he was told early on he'd most likely start the season... Aberdeen opens their season this week.
Kenny was a fill for Tim Bascom a 2007 4th Rd draft pick who has promoted to Double A and they needed someone to fill a roster spot.
Catfish, what a crazy world-last night, Moreland started for Frederick, threw 5 shutout innings and got the win.
Update: Moreland now at Aberdeen, threw 6 shutout innings, 47 of 68 pitches for strikes, and got the win in their home opener. His combined ERA at Frederick and Aberdeen is microscopic.
How crazy is the up and down of pitchers in the minor leagues? Apparently he is settled at Aberdeen or so it seems for now.
Here is a article about Moreland on a Orioles fansite.
http://www.orioleshangout.com/article.asp?ID=2119
That's a great writeup on Kenny Moreland. Thanks for posting the link....
Kenny Moreland (Aberdeen Ironbirds) is now 3-0, 0.50 ERA, 3 GS, 18 INN, 10 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 13 K's deserves to be called up to the Frederick Keys, High Class A.
I think a promotion to Frederick is about a year away. Frederick has 4 legit prospects in the rotation. Also Delmarva which is between Aberdeen and Frederick has 2 prospects in the rotation. That is a lot of players to jump over not counting the guys they drafted last year and this year flooding the system. Kenny will probably end the year at Aberdeen or Delmarva.
Moreland now 3-0, 0.36 ERA, 25 innings, 1 run, 14 hits, 1 BB, 19 K's. Maybe the sheer silliness of his stats will get him moved up. The O's could have a couple of their top AAA pitchers in Baltimore before too long so perhaps the shuffle to fill those spots will get Kenny further up the ladder. I'm not suggesting he be elevated to AAA, just that when the O's move some guys up to fill those spots, spaces left down below might get him on the move.
Chris Rivera from VWC is pitchng for the Potomac Nationals...He is doing pretty well..Had a couple of rough outings but seems to be back on track again...
A lot of you probably remember Dave Whigham. Pitched for Guilford 3 years then for VWC his senior year..He now plays for the El Paso Diablos He got hit in the right temple with a line drive on the 9th of July (I think thats right) and was in ICU for a while and also had to have an operation...He's gonna be able to play again but not until next year...A very luck young man..only 50% pulls through an injury like this....Link to an interview with Dave... http://www.ktsm.com/sports
Moreland goes to 4-1. 38 innings pitched, 27 hits 29 K's, 1 bb, era: 0.95.
1 walk in 38 innings. Lee McPhail, he's your kind of guy!
p.s. O's TV announcers say that O's management doesn't see any pitcher movement any time soon so the young guys in Baltimore need not look over their shoulders. While that makes sense, baloney, we want movement so our man Kenny can move up.
Another good article I found on Kenny.
http://orioles.scout.com/2/880808.html
Moreland has been called up to High A Frederick. Gee, there's a tough personnel call: 51 innings, 0.88 ERA, 39 K, 3 BB, 32 H. He should be there for the duration of the season, unless he earns a short trip to Bowie by season's end. :) Go Kenny!
Cool.
from
http://www.mumonarchs.com/news/2009/8/13/BB_0813094423.aspx
PORTLAND, Maine - Former Methodist baseball player Blake Maxwell has been nominated for the Portland Sea Dogs' Citizen of the Year award. Fans can cast their votes now through Sept. 1 to support Maxwell.
Maxwell has pitched in 27 games with the Sea Dogs this season while carrying a 4-7 record. He has struck out 42 batters in 84.2 innings pitched. Off the field, Maxwell has supported the team's cause in the community through a number of events and promotional appearances.
The Sea Dogs are a Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox out of Portland, Maine. Maxwell spent three years with the Monarchs and set the school record for career saves with 22 before being drafted by the Red Sox in the 2005 Major League Amateur Draft.
Vote now to support Blake Maxwell as the Portland Sea Dogs' Citizen of the Year:
vote here (http://portland.seadogs.milb.com/fans/page.jsp?ymd=20090810&content_id=6352758&vkey=fans_t546&fext=.jsp&sid=t546)
after a really difficult april/may (8.5 + era), blake has settled in and has a 3.25 era and a 4-3 record in june/july/august
Trae Bailey of CNU signed this week with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League. Go get 'em Trey!
Has any one heard if Trae Bailey has resigned with the Blue Crabs? I don't really think he really got a shot to show his stuff with them. They used him sparingly as a 2B, even though that's where he played in High School.
River City Rascals of Frontier League signed Ben Hildreth of Averett University to a contract. They drafted in in the second round of the 2009 Fall League Tryout. Good luck Ben!
He could really throw it...glad to see he's getting a shot to continue his career. Keep us posted!
i appreciate the support from people other than averett, it looks like the team is bringning around 25 or so pitchers to spring so ill have to beat out half in order to make the actual team. My spirits are high and I feel like I can win my spot... I will keep people updated though it really makes me happy to know people are supporting me from the USA south. (BTW this is Hildreth in case some people did not know)
Quote from: randomguy on March 02, 2010, 12:11:37 AM
i appreciate the support from people other than averett, it looks like the team is bringning around 25 or so pitchers to spring so ill have to beat out half in order to make the actual team. My spirits are high and I feel like I can win my spot... I will keep people updated though it really makes me happy to know people are supporting me from the USA south. (BTW this is Hildreth in case some people did not know)
Best of Luck ... keep living the dream as long as you can!
Amen to that man...I keep in contact with Kenny regularly and go to all of his games that I can (I live in the Shenandoah Valley, so it's only a little over an hour to Frederick from here)...I'd love to see another USA South pitcher get the same chance he did. Best of luck...
Kenny Moreland (CNU) starting the year with Frederick Keys. Had one outing so far coming off the bullpen. Good luck Kenny!
Kenny gets win #1, going 4 innings of relief, 2 hits, no runs. I like him in the bullpen-with the O's log jam of young starters at AAA, the bullpen could be the fastest ticket upward. Gonzalez will get every chance to fail, and is doing a pretty good job of it so far, failing that is...
RHP Blake Maxwell (Methodist U.) demoted to Single A Salem Red Sox. So far he has appeared in 2 games, 1 save, 4.1 inn pitched, 5 hits, 4 k's. Good luck Blake.
Blake Maxwell (Methodist) has pitched in 4 games, has 1 save, 8.1 innings, 12 hits, 6 K's, and 1.08 ERA. great job so far.
Kenny Moreland (CNU) has a 1-0 record, with 4 games pitched, 1 started, 3.27 ERA, 11 innings, 9 hits, 5 K's.
Awesome job Kenny and Blake! Keep going and let's get to Double AA.
Kenny Moreland (CNU) looks like has moved on to the starting rotation after doing a good job on the pen. He is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 5 games and 2 starts for a total of 16 innings. Batters are only hitting .214 against him. Still looking for a call up as the Bowie Baysox (AA) have two starters struggling with 5+ ERA's.
Quote from: LTHSdad on April 29, 2010, 11:47:18 AM
Kenny Moreland (CNU) looks like has moved on to the starting rotation after doing a good job on the pen. He is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 5 games and 2 starts for a total of 16 innings. Batters are only hitting .214 against him. Still looking for a call up as the Bowie Baysox (AA) have two starters struggling with 5+ ERA's.
Yeah but those two guys with 5+ era's are two of the top pitching prospects in the orioles organization. Zach Britton is the top pitching prospect for the O's not names Jake Arrieta or Chris Tillman and Chorye Spoone is coming off of laburn surgery and was a top 5 prospect before the injury. The Orioles farm system is top and bottom loaded with pitching prospects it is going to take a lot for Kenny to move up the ladder and I think the pen is going to have to be where is does that also. Best thing for Kenny would to get traded.
Moreland throws 7 scoreless innings, 2 hits, 1walk, striking out 10, as Frederick beats Wilmington, 8-0.
I agree on the tough ceiling due to so many good arms in the Baltimore farm system, but as lousy as the Baltimore boys are hitting, sooner or later some of those pitchers are going to get moved in exchange for some hitters. All Kenny can do is keep throwing well.
Kenny Moreland having a few tough outings but hanging in there. So far 2-2 this year with 5.22 ERA on 10 games and 7 started for a total of 39.2 innings.
RHP Blake Maxwell (Methodist) at High A Salem Red Sox stats so far:
2-0, 1.82 ERA, 19 G, 2 SV, 34.2 INN, 39 H, 23 K
numbers sound like it deserves a call up back to AA Portland.
Kenny Moreland has bounced back nicely, and was named SAL pitcher of the week last week, going 2-0, 15 innings, no earned runs, 5 hits.
Quote from: LTHSdad on June 11, 2010, 07:33:39 PM
RHP Blake Maxwell (Methodist) at High A Salem Red Sox stats so far:
2-0, 1.82 ERA, 19 G, 2 SV, 34.2 INN, 39 H, 23 K
numbers sound like it deserves a call up back to AA Portland.
maxwell skipped portland, and went to pawtucket...he got hit pretty hard on july 5, giving up 5 hits and 3 er in 3.2 innings in his only AAA appearance, to date...as an aside, 6 of the 9 guys in the lehigh valley lineup that night have prior mlb experience...great experience for blake!
overall he is 4-1 with a 3.02 era in 47.2 innings between salem and pawtucket...we'll see how long he lasts at AAA
Another rough outing for Methodist's Blake Maxwell in AAA Pawtucket. 1 2/3 INN, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, running his ERA to 8.44 in 2 outings. Let's hope he can straighten it out, this is as high as he's ever been in the Red Sox system.
CNU's Kenny Moreland, continues to have a good year for Low A Delmarva (Orioles). 4-3, 3.00 ERA, 8 GS, 51 INN, 42 H, only 5 BB, 42 Ks. Definitely deserves a move back to High A Frederick or AA Bowie.
Re: Blake Maxwell. Getting to AAA is no small accomplishment. Hope he settles in.
Shorebirds Kenny Moreland Interview
Bret Lasky (Voice of the Shorebirds) has posted his audio interview with Shorebirds pitcher Kenny Moreland.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/media/player/mp_tpl.jsp?w=mms%3A//a1272.v14668e.c14668.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1272/14668/v0001/mlb.download.akamai.com/14668/2010/loa/del/audio/kenny_moreland.wma&type=a_free&_mp=1
looks like maxwell is back down to double A portland after a 3 appearance stint with the pawsox...and pitching well in limited duty...3 appearances, 1 win, 9.2 ip, 9 k's and a 2.79 era
his overall numbers across 3 levels this season are not bad...5-1 with a 3.12 era, 30 appearances (1 start) and 42 k's in 60.2 ip
Kenny Moreland has been promoted to High A Frederick.
blake maxwell led red sox minor leaguers with an 11-1 record across three levels and was named to their minor league all star team - press release here (http://www.mumonarchs.com/news/2010/10/20/BB_1020101918.aspx)
blake was 4-1 with a 2.61 era at high A, 7-0 with a 2.66 era at double A and 0-0 with a 6.43 in 3 triple A appearances - 11-1 with a 2.90 era overall...not bad
Saw that former CNU pitcher Kenny Moreland, High A Frederick Keys, pitched three shutout innings of relief during last nights Carolina League playoff game vs Kinston. Way to go Kenny. Also saw he was second on the team in appearances this year.
Congrats to Kenny Moreland (CNU) as he and his Frederick Keys mates won the Carolina League championship.
Strong start for (CNU) Kenny Moreland with the Frederick Keys (Orioles Class A Advanced).
2-1, 2.76 ERA, 5 G, 16.1 INN, 14 K's, 1.04 WHIP
Manager Orlando Gomez seems to be using him in long relief vice a starter. Need a bump to AA soon as window of opportunity for Kenny may be getting smaller and smaller and at age 27 he may not have much upside for that organization. I hope he sticks it out.
It's a shame...Blake Maxwell released by the Red Sox organization...hopefully someone gives him another chance.
http://www.pressherald.com/sports/despite-success-with-sea-dogs-maxwell-unable-to-find-a-job_2012-03-18.html
Quote from: LTHSdad on May 04, 2012, 07:10:07 AM
It's a shame...Blake Maxwell released by the Red Sox organization...hopefully someone gives him another chance.
somebody will...just not on the mound :)
QuoteMaxwell plans on returning to Methodist to finish his degree, while also serving as an assistant baseball coach.
I just saw where former CNU standout Kenny Moreland was sent down to Aberdeen after spending the first couple months at Frederick. He was 2-2 with a 4.37 ERA in nine appearances for the Keys. In 22.2 innings, he allowed 22 hits, 13 runs, 11 earned, walked five and struck out 16. In his last two outings, he pitched 4.1 innings, allowed five runs on five hits, 2 home runs, walked one and struck out one. He also allowed a run on three hits in 2/3's of an inning two appearances before that. Could be what lead to his demotion, tho Im speculating and do not know for sure.