April 11, 2010

Lineup Card

Lineup Card is a feature highlighting notes from around college baseball.

April 1-11, 2010

Mike Leake, former All-American hurler at Arizona State, will make his Major League and professional debut on Sunday, April 11, for the Cincinnati Reds against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. Leake helped lead the Sun Devils to the College World Series a year ago and was the eighth overall selection in the 2009 draft. Leake will become the 21st player since the draft started in 1965 to debut without playing in the minors. The last player to go straight to the majors was Xavier Nady with the San Diego Padres in 2000. Nady is now a member of the Cubs. In six spring games, including two starts, Leake was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA. He allowed 16 hits and four walks in 18 innings with 10 strikeouts.

Seven members of the Air Force baseball team have been suspended indefinitely for a violation of Academy standards. The suspensions begin immediately for seniors Addison Gentry and Michael Ruvolo, sophomore Blair Kessler and freshmen John Bramble, Travis Lane, Ethan Loosen and Caleb Spengler.

UT Arlington has added a Brag Board to Clay Gould Ballpark. It displays UTA’s retired jersey numbers along with former players who have reached the Major Leagues. Retired numbers for the Mavericks include former head coach Butch McBroom (No. 30), the late former player and head coach Clay Gould (No. 8) and current Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman (No. 1). Hillman’s jersey number will be officially retired on Saturday, May 8.

Justin Bryant of Auburn will miss time after breaking the fifth metacarpal in his left (non-throwing) hand after being hit by a pitch Wednesday against South Alabama. The utility man was hitting .317 in 23 games. Bryant has played second, short, third and left.

Rutgers basketball coach Fred Hill may be terminated after an incident at a Scarlet Knights baseball game. Hill reportedly yelled obscenities at Pittsburgh head coach Joe Jordano after Jordano questioned an umpire’s call. Hill’s father, also named Fred Hill, is the head baseball coach at Rutgers.

Norfolk State played an exhibition game Tuesday against the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Tides won 6-0 in front of 8,509 fans at Harbor Park. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Spartan baseball program. Brandon Hairston and James Taylor both had two hits for NSU.

There are 95 nominees for the College World Series Legends Team, which will be recognized this year at the final College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium. To vote, log on to ncaa.com/cws.

(photos courtesy of ASU, UTA & NSU Media Relations Offices)