Who's hot
MATTY JOHNSON (independent) scored 8 runs on 12 hits (including 4 doubles and 1 triple) with 10 RBI and 4 stolen bases to raise his batting average from .215 to .261.
JESS TODD (AAA Red Sox) earned a victory in relief against Gwinnett, Ga., (AAA Braves) on June 27. Todd did not allow an earned run, but did allow 2 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout in 2 1/3 innings.
Who's not
BRIAN ANDERSON (high-A Marlins) saw his batting average drop to .225 after getting 3 hits with 2 RBI in his past 7 games.
RYNE STANEK (AA Rays) suffered a loss Thursday at Tennessee (AA Cubs), but his ERA rose only slightly. Stanek allowed 2 earned runs on 3 hits with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
News and notes
• Former Arkansas Razorbacks outfielder Andrew Benintendi may not have had the best start in his debut Friday for the Lowell (Mass.) Spinners (short-A Red Sox), but it certainly ended well. Benintendi, who was assigned to Lowell on Wednesday, started with a strikeout and a groundout against the Connecticut Tigers (short-A Tigers), but he finished with two singles and scored the game-winning run on a single by designated hitter Mitchell Gunsolus in a 2-1 victory at Dodd Stadium in Norwich, Conn.
• Three other players with Arkansas ties selected in last month's draft signed recently with the teams that selected them. Former Arkansas Razorbacks third baseman Bobby Wernes, who was selected in the 30th round by the Houston Astros, agreed to terms with the team on June 19 and was assigned to the short-season Class A Tri-City ValleyCats on June 27. Wernes went 0 for 5 in his debut June 27, but rebounded Tuesday at Connecticut (short-A Tigers), going 2 for 3 with 1 RBI. Through Friday's game, Wernes is batting .267 (4 for 15) with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.
West Memphis pitcher Gray Fenter, a seventh-round selection by the Baltimore Orioles, agreed to terms with the team June 27 and received a $1 million signing bonus, which was $800,000 more than his slot value of $178,300, according to MLB.com. Fenter has not yet been assigned to a team.
Former Arkansas Razorbacks oufielder and Van Buren native Tyler Spoon, a 35th-round selection by the Boston Red Sox, agreed to terms Wednesday and was assigned to the Red Sox's rookie league team in the Gulf Coast League. He has not played a game and was placed on the temporarily inactive list Friday. Players placed on the temporarily inactive list, which is normally used for bereavement leave or other non-injury related reasons, must remain on the list for a minimum of three consecutive days.
Three players with Arkansas ties who were drafted last month remain unsigned. Pitcher Daniel Sprinkle of White Hall, who was taken in the 15th round by the Cleveland Indians, previously signed to play collegiately at Auburn. Fayetteville pitcher John Boushelle, a 20th-round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers, has signed to play at Kansas State. Fayetteville pitcher Andy Pagnozzi, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette player of the year who was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the 36th round, has signed to play at Ole Miss. Teams have until July 17 to agree to contract terms with drafted players.
• Former Arkansas pitcher and Little Rock native Jackson Lowery, who signed a free agent deal with Toronto, made his professional debut Thursday for the Blue Jays' rookie league team in the Gulf Coast League. Lowery pitched 2 1/3 innings against the second of two New York Yankees teams in the league, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits with 4 strikeouts.
• Pitcher Daniel Wright was dominant for the Pensacola (Fla.) Blue Wahoos (AA Reds) in a 2-1 victory over the Jacksonville (Fla.) Suns (AA Marlins) Thursday. Wright retired the side in the top of the first inning on five pitches and had a no-hitter through four innings. Jacksonville third baseman Zack Cox (Arkansas Razorbacks) broke up the no-hit bid in the fifth inning with a double to right field, but Wright got out of the inning unscathed. Wright did not allow a run and earned the victory after allowing 2 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts in 7 innings.
"Daniel's really hitting his stride," Blue Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly said. "That's the way he pitched last year, and we're really starting to see where he can use both sides of the plate. He was able to mix in his curveball to put guys away and he threw a few changeups too."
• Outfielder Davis Harris, who has been on the disabled list since May 16, was sent down to Class A Lansing, Mich., from high-A Dunedin, Fla., by the Toronto Blue Jays organization June 28. Lansing radio broadcaster Jesse Goldberg-Strassler said center fielder Anthony Alford, who played defensive back at Ole Miss in 2014 and quarterback at Southern Miss in 2012, was put on a "fast track" by the Blue Jays and was promoted to Dunedin, thereby allowing more playing time for Harris in Lansing. Harris went 1 for 3, hitting a double, with 1 run scored and 1 walk in his debut for the Lugnuts against South Bend, Ind. (A Cubs) on June 29, then hit a home run in going 1 for 4 on June 30.
Around the horn
Former UAPB pitcher Andre Davis earned his first professional victory for the Burlington (N.C.) Royals (rookie Royals) on June 30 against the Bluefield (Va.) Blue Jays (rookie Blue Jays). Davis did not allow a run and gave up just 1 hit with 2 strikeouts in 3 innings. ... Former Arkansas State pitcher Chandler Hawkins earned his first professional victory for the Johnson City (Tenn.) Cardinals (rookie Cardinals) on June 27 against the Burlington Royals. Hawkins did not allow a run or a hit and had four strikeouts in two innings. ... Outfielder Jonathan Davis was placed on the disabled list with an unknown injury by the Dunedin (Fla.) Blue Jays (high-A Blue Jays) on Thursday. It's his second stint on the disabled list this season. ... Pitcher Brad Allen was activated from the disabled list by Dunedin on June 28. He had been placed on the disabled list on May 6 with an undisclosed injury. ... Outfielder Collin Radack was activated from the disabled list by the Palm Beach Cardinals (high-A Cardinals) on June 30. He was placed on the disabled list on June 3 with hamstring tightness.
Position players
PLAYER;COLLEGE/HOME;POS;AFFILIATION, LOCATION;AVG.;G;AB;R;H;2B;3B;HR;RBI;SB
Forrestt Allday;Central Arkansas;OF;high-A Red Sox, Salem, Va.;.247;33;89;21;22;5;0;1;8;3
Brian Anderson;Arkansas;SS;high-A Marlins, Jupiter, Fla.;.225;76;280;26;63;13;1;5;34;0
Zack Cox;Arkansas;3B;AA Marlins, Jacksonville, Fla.;.302;67;205;35;62;13;0;3;12;0
Jonathan Davis*;UCA/Camden;OF;high-A Blue Jays, Dunedin, Fla.;.333;35;129;30;43;14;1;2;19;8
Aharon Eggleston;SAU;OF;independent, Somerset, N.J.;.315;54;178;34;56;8;0;1;16;3
Brett Eibner;Arkansas;CF;AAA Royals, Omaha, Neb.;.271;49;188;25;51;7;0;8;33;3
Dominic Ficociello;Arkansas;1B;high-A Tigers, Lakeland, Fla.;.304;73;276;32;84;12;3;4;29;2
Eric Fisher;Arkansas;1B;short-A Marlins, Batavia, N.Y.;.200;10;35;2;7;2;0;0;2;0
Craig Gentry;UA/Fort Smith;OF;AAA Athletics, Nashville, Tenn.;.248;41;161;27;40;7;;3;8;10
Zach George;Arkansas State;1B;R Pirates, Brisol, Va.;.143;4;14;3;2;0;0;0;1;0
David Harris;SAU;OF;A Blue Jays, Lansing, Mich.;.216;29;116;12;25;7;0;3;10;3
Matty Johnson;Watson Chapel;OF;independent, Sioux City, Iowa;.261;39;161;34;42;7;5;0;18;17
Stuart Levy;Arkansas State;C;short-A Orioles, Aberdeen, Md.;.167;5;18;1;3;0;0;0;3;0
Shaquille Matta;Ark. Baptist JC;C;rookie Rangers, Dominican Rep.;.200;3;5;2;1;0;0;0;0;1
D'vone McClure;Jacksonville;RF;short-A Indians, Niles, Ohio;.167;5;18;4;3;2;0;0;3;0
Austin Pfeiffer;UALR;SS;short-A Orioles, Aberdeen, Md.;.273;7;33;5;9;1;1;0;3;0
Collin Radack;Hendrix;OF;high-A Cardinals, Palm Beach, Fla.;.293;49;191;19;56;2;2;2;22;7
Matt Reynolds;Arkansas;SS;AAA Mets, Las Vegas;.270;74;289;54;78;22;2;5;45;9
Skyler Stromsmoe*;SAU;2B;AAA Giants, Sacramento, Calif.;.244;20;45;8;11;2;0;0;4;1
Logan Uxa;ASU;1B;high-A Orioles, Frederick, Md.;.260;31;96;9;25;8;3;3;17;0
Geraldo Valentin;SAU;OF;independent, Amarillo, Texas;.258;39;151;23;39;9;0;1;18;2
Doug Votolato;UCA;RF;short-A Rangers, Spokane, Wa.;.167;1;30;4;5;1;2;0;0;0
Andy Wilkins;Arkansas;1B;AAA Dodgers, Oklahoma City;.253;70;233;32;59;12;1;9;37;0
Pitchers
PLAYER;COLLEGE/HOME;AFFILIATION, LOCATION;W-L;ERA;G;GS;SV;IP;H;BB;SO
Brad Allen;Arkansas State;high-A Blue Jays, Dunedin, Fla.;0-3;5.60;6;5;0;27.1;31;11;20
Barrett Astin;UA/Forrest City;AA Reds, Pensacola, Fla.;4-3;2.36;17;12;0;80.0;70;20;65
D.J. Baxendale;UA/Jacksonville;AA Twins, Chattanooga, Tenn.;3-1;3.74;12;10;0;55.1;59;20;53
Jalen Beeks;UA/Fayetteville;A Red Sox, Greenville, S.C.;6-4;4.25;14;14;0;78.1;84;13;52
Mike Bolsinger+;Arkansas;AAA Dodgers, Oklahoma City;2-0;1.42;4;4;0;19.0;12;6;28
Derrick Bleeker*;Arkansas;A Orioles, Delmarva. Md.;1-2;6.53;10;0;2;20.2;26;0;18
Zach Cates;Conway;A Cubs, Myrtle Beach, Fla.;3-5;2.63;20;0;2;27.1;23;21;28
Trent Daniel;UA/Bryant;high-A Rockies, Modesto, Calif.;1-2;2.23;25;0;3;32.1;32;19;25
Andre Davis;UAPB;rookie Royals, Burlington, N.C.;1-0;0.00;2;0;0;4.0;2;1;3
Torey Deshazier;Ark. Bap./Pine Bluff;A Royals, Lexington, Ky.;3-4;4.88;14;9;1;62.2;69;21;51
Andy Ferguson;ASU/Benton;AAA Royals, Omaha, Neb.;5-2;2.67;13;9;0;60.2;51;19;72
Keegan Ghidotti;OBU;short-A Orioles, Aberdeen, Md.;0-0;5.40;3;0;0;5.0;7;3;6
Michael Gunn;UA/Wilson;A Red Sox, Greenville, S.C.;0-1;4.29;11;0;1;21.0;18;13;20
Chandler Hawkins;Arkansas State;rookie Cardinals, Johnson City, Tenn.;1-0;0.00;2;0;0;3.0;2;0;6
Chase Huchingson;UCA/Fayetteville;AAA Mets, Las Vegas;2-2;3.79;30;0;0;35.2;29;22;38
Trey Killian;UA/Mtn. Home;R Rockies, Grand Junction, Colo.;1-1;2.70;2;2;0;10.0;9;1;5
Jacob Lee;ASU/Jonesboro;AA Indians, Akron, Ohio;4-3;4.19;22;0;0;38.2;44;12;33
Chris Oliver;Arkansas;A Phillies, Lakewood, Fla.;3-5;4.22;12;12;0;64.0;75;28;26
Blake Parker*;Ark./Fayetteville;AAA Cubs, Des Moines, Iowa;0-0;2.70;3;0;0;3.1;1;3;1
Mark Reyes;Jessieville;A Giants, Augusta, Ga.;3-3;1.46;13;13;0;80.0;69;13;47
Montreal Robertson;McGehee;high-A Tigers, Lakeland, Fla.;2-6;3.25;18;0;0;36.0;27;19;26
Nolan Sanburn*;Arkansas;AA White Sox, Birmingham, Ala.;0-2;4.91;15;1;2;22.0;20;14;22
Ryne Stanek;Arkansas;AA Rays, Montgomery, Ala.;7-4;2.62;15;15;0;86.0;62;33;61
Colby Suggs*;Arkansas;A Marlins, Greensboro, N.C.;0-0;0.00;5;0;1;5.1;3;1;6
Richie Tate;Marked Tree;high-A Braves, Zebulon, N.C.;1-0;4.50;6;0;0;8.0;8;9;6
Sam Thoele;UALR;R Rockies, Grand Junction, Colo.;0-0;6.75;4;0;1;4.0;3;2;6
Justin Thomas;SAU;high-A Nationals, Potomac, Va.;0-4;3.76;13;0;0;26.1;27;7;19
Jess Todd;Arkansas;AAA Red Sox, Pawtucket, Mass.;3-2;4.92;15;10;0;60.1;61;24;32
Ashur Tolliver;Sylvan Hills;AA Orioles, Bowie, Md.;1-0;2.45;20;1;1;33.0;32;16;35
Zac Treece;OBU;independent, O'Fallon, Mo.;0-2;7.29;17;1;1;21.0;23;7;22
Bradley Wallace;ASU/Rison;A Rays, Fishkill, N.Y.;1-0;0.00;3;0;0;7.2;3;1;6
Kevin Walsh;UAPB;R Phillies, Clearwater, Fla.;0-0;6.75;2;0;1;1.1;1;1;0
Hunter Wood;Rogers Heritage;A Rays, Bowling Green, Ky.;1-2;1.31;18;1;4;55.0;26;13;73
Daniel Wright;ASU;AA Reds, Pensacola, Fla.;4-6;5.00;15;15;0;81.0;84;23;77
Heath Wyatt;Searcy;AAA Cardinals, Memphis;1-2;2.04;26;1;2;39.2;24;14;32
Through Wednesday's games
*on disabled list +recalled to Los Angeles Dodgers
To make additions or corrections to this list, please email [email protected]
Sports on 07/05/2015