One of the neatest aspects of immersing oneself in minor league baseball is that doing so affords the opportunity to follow your favorite players for a longer period of time than if you had waited to “discover” them once they become an everyday player in the majors. Of course, this argument makes the assumption that your favorite minor league players not only make that leap, but also make it stick when they do.

Josh Wilson (2006 Topps 52 Rookies – no. 45)

Born within a Bill Mazeroski moonshot of Honus Wagner’s birthplace, shortstop Josh Wilson was destined to play ball. I first met Josh during the 2004 season when he joined the Albuquerque Isotopes. A completely likable fellow, Wilson approached both games and practices with determination to perform to the best of his abilities and to improve at every opportunity, making him one of my favorite players for the two seasons he was in town. The thing I like best about Josh’s character is that he even takes his clowning around seriously. Wilson would be a positive influence in any professional baseball clubhouse.

Josh Wilson (2006 Topps 52 Rookies – chrome no. TCRC12 1752/1952)

With that having been typed, the man himself has probably been involved in as many trades as have his baseball cards. Over a span of only five years, Wilson has donned major and/or minor league uniforms for the Marlins, Rockies, Nationals, (then Devil) Rays, Pirates, Red Sox, Diamondbacks, Padres and Mariners.

Josh Wilson (2006 Topps 52 Rookies – chrome refractor no. TCRC12 305/552)

I hit the trifecta when Josh autographed all three versions of his 2006 Topps 52 Rookie card for me this past summer while back in the Duke City playing for the Tacoma Rainiers. If all goes well, he will return again in early April when the Seattle Mariners play a two-game Spring Training series against the Colorado Rockies at Isotopes Park. It will be a pleasure to watch him running, diving and making dazzling plays while wearing a Seattle uniform.

- Kris

By Wendy Osher

Minor League Baseball returns to Maui with plans to throw out the first pitch in May during the upcoming 2010 season at the Iron Maehara Baseball Stadium. The 22-member team will be called: Na Koa Ikaika O Maui, or the Strong Warriors of Maui.

While their coach has yet to be named, the team manager will be Cory Snyder, a former Major League baseball player for teams that included the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers, as well a 1984 Olympian for the US Baseball team.

“I’m excited to get started,” said Snyder during a press conference on Tuesday. “May is not going to come soon enough for me. I’m hoping to come back at least a week every month and just be in the community and help get players.”

“I’m hoping to put together a team that has some local kids from the islands here—we’re talking to four or five of them right now,” said Snyder. “I think that would just be great to have some ex-big league and ex-affiliated guys on the filed that are from the Hawaiian Islands,” he said.

In making the announcement, the team also signed their first player to Na Koa Ikaika O Maui roster—Mark Okano, of Aiea, Oahu. Okano played for four years at the University of New Mexico, spent a few years in Orange County and last year, played in Canada.

Mark Okano of Aiea became the first to sign on as a player on the new Na Koa Ikaika O Maui roster during a press conference on Tuesday in Wailuku. Photo by Wendy Osher.

“The way that I look at it is, you know if I can play at home, then this is my big show,” said Okano. “I’m just excited to play back home and help the kids out. Whatever camps we can do…and get them better. My look at it is, if I can make it, and we can help guys make it, that’s where it’s at,” said Okano.

Team President, Rick Berry took the honors in signing Okano as the first player for Maui. Berry has been working to establish the team for the past three years and hoped to assure Okano as well as others on his prospective list were free agents when the Maui team was ready to be launched.

“We hope Mark is the first of many,” said Berry. “The players when they come, they are playing for the love of the game, and that’s what’s beautiful about minor league baseball. It’s not about the money, It’s about the love and the passion they have for baseball,” said Berry.

The Okano signing was not the only offer on the table. Maui Council Member, Mike Victorino, the father of Phillies all-star Shane Victorino also offered a bit of aloha to Maui’s newest athlete by offering his home as a host family for Okano.

Also in attendance was Warren Suzuki, the father of fellow Maui Major league player Kurt Suzuki. Both Maui athletes demonstrate the character that Snyder is looking for in players on and off the field.

“I think if we can put a good competitive team on the field, we can have good kids with great character that go out and do clinics in the community. We’d like to go to Molokai and Lanai and take five players there and show what this is all about—that we are good guys off the field,” said Snyder, who played at the collegiate level for Brigham Young University.

“It’s finding the players that know what a great game baseball is—is pretty much what it’s all about. It gives these kids a chance that just didn’t get seen in college. Maybe they got pushed out of affiliated ball. Maybe they got hurt and they’re trying to make it back. It gives these kids an avenue to show their skills off. And a chance to get back to affiliated baseball,” said Snyder.

Unlike the seasonal leagues that have played in the islands in the past, Berry said the new Maui team will be a part of the community year-round.

“We want people to know that we’re not just a summer league,” said Berry. “Our office is open year round. We will be here year round. We will be available—from the mascots to us in the front office, to the players, whenever we are available, we would be more than happy to be in the community doing autographs or anything we can to promote the team and the community,” said Berry.

On the business side, county officials say additional revenue will be realized in the form of visitor stays with boosters, and teams spending an average of five days and five nights on island. Berry said the real revenue indicator will be game night attendance.

“There’s three ways to generate revenue for us on our operating budget and that is: corporate advertisers; the concessions, ticket sales and merchandise combined—that comes into play; and a lot of it just depends on attendance,” said Berry.

Na Koa Ikaia O Maui already has plans for 44 home games, bringing teams in from across the U.S. and Canada. The team is the first of four to be formed in the Hawaiian Islands under the Golden Baseball League.

The preseason college baseball rankings are starting to be released and two Kentucky colleges are appearing among the top teams in the country. Check out those rankings, some minor league transactions and some Kentucky small college rules

• The University of Louisville is ranked 13th in Ping! Baseball’s preseason top 30.
• The University of Kentucky ranked 22nd.
• UofL checks in at No. 19 in College Baseball Newspaper’s preseason rankings. UK is in the “other’s receiving votes” category.
• Some Kentucky roster moves to pass along via Baseball America’s minor league transactions:
• Winchester-native Matt Ginter signed with the Houston Astros.
• The New York Yankees released Northern Kentucky University alum Paul Patterson.
• Louisville-native Steven Shackleford was named the pitching captain at the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Matt Moore; Photo from tedkerwin via Flickr

BluGrass Baseball is making its triumphant return from a weekend power outage just in time to break down Baseball America’s top ten prospects list for the Tampa Bay Rays system with three Bowling Green Hot Rods making the cut. Hot Rods ace Matt Moore ranked fourth on the list, shortstop Tim Beckham checked in at six and right-handed pitcher Nick Barnese ranked tenth on the list. I’ve included each player’s 2009 statistics below and a snippet of BA analysis.

4) LHP Matt Moore

• 8-5, 3.15 ERA, 123 IP, 176 SO/70 BB, .195 BA against
• BA: “If Moore can locate his pitches better, he can be a frontline starter. Only 19, he’s headed to high Class A and the Rays may not be able to hold him back much longer.”

6) SS Tim Beckham

• .275, 5 HR, 63 RBI, .275/.328/.389
• BA: “The Rays’ present plan is to keep Beckham at shortstop, and third base isn’t much of an option with Evan Longoria already in Tampa Bay. Beckham will spend 2010 in high Class A at age 19.”

10) RHP Nick Barnese

• 6-5, 2.53 ERA, 75 IP, 62 SO/25 BB, .202 BA against
• BA: “Some minor refinements and more consistency will enable Barnese to emerge as a No. 2 or 3 starter in the big leagues. Tampa Bay can continue to be patient with his development, which will continue in high Class A this year.”

The three-team multiple Cy Young winner blockbuster trade is official, and UK alum Joe Blanton is still a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. Blanton appears likely to start the season in Philadelphia since the team parted with Lee, but due to his impending salary raise his status remains worth watching. Now that the baseball world can move past the trade here are some Bluegrass storylines to keep track of:

• Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald passes on a few of the names in the Giants and Marlins Dan Uggla discussions. The most interesting: left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez.
• With the number of available second baseman this offseason, someone like Uggla will probably have to move positions, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs.com writes.
• Brady Williams was named the 2010 manager of the Bowling Green Hot Rods by the Tampa Bay Rays.
• Michael Grant of The Courier-Journal talks to St. X-alum Chris Burke about the opportunity to play for the Reds or his hometown Louisville Bats.
• You can see Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos talk about the blockbuster trade and his recent signing of Lexington Legends Hall of Famer John Buck in a video via MLB.com here.

In yesterday’s Baseball America Toronto Blue Jays top prospects chat an interesting name from Kentucky past came up. If you think back to the 2008 draft Heath High School had one of the country’s top pitchers in right-handeder Daniel Webb, who was committed to play at the University of Kentucky. After word spread that the UK commits had a pact to only sign for first-round money or play together in Lexington, Webb slipped to the 12th round in 2008 (where he was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the hope to have two Kentucky Webbs in their rotation one day). Webb didn’t qualify to play at UK and ended up in junior college where he underperformed in 2009. He signed with the Blue Jays as their 18th round pick but didn’t make his professional debut last season. Check out what BA’s Nathan Rode had to say about the Paducah-native.

Paul (Buffalo): Dannie Webb was a highly touted power pitcher out of high school prior to the 2008 draft but did not sign. He went to juco and did not really wow anyone there before being selected by the Jays. What have been the reports been now that he has signed with the Jays, and where will he start 2010?

Nathan Rode: The Jays went over slot to get Webb in the 18th round this year. He fits in the back of the Top 30 with his live arm. He can sit in the low 90s and run it up to 94. However, I’ve been told his curve isn’t quite what it was in high school. One scout felt he was a reliever with his slingy arm action and there are some makeup questions as well. My guess is he’ll start 2010 in Low A.

On a side-note…doesn’t it seem like the Diamondbacks or Blue Jays have been at the center of every Kentucky story recently?

Joe Blanton; UK Athletics Wallpaper

The Hot Stove is abuzz with news of the three-team blockbuster between the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, and if you look hard enough there is a Bluegrass angle to the story. For Kentucky fans the real question is what does the trade do for Phillies starting pitcher and University of Kentucky alum Joe Blanton?

• John Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com tweets that for now Joe Blanton appears likely to stay in Philadelphia.
• 2009 Louisville Bats Zach Stewart and Josh Roenicke, traded by the Reds for Scott Rolen, were named the No. 1 and No. 7 prospects in the Toronto Blue Jays system by Baseball America. Of course this is before the Blue Jays pick up several prospects in the Roy Halladay trade.
• UK Athletics reports Futurebacks.com has named former University of Kentucky catcher Sean Coughlin the Arizona Diamondbacks Offensive Position Player of the Year.
• Jeff Arnold and Adam Duvall were named captains of the 2010 University of Louisville baseball team.
• Finally, in the category of fail by the World Wide Leader (ESPN) super-agent Scott Boras was on The Scott Van Pelt Show this afternoon and Van Pelt failed to ask him anything about the James Paxton case or the college no-agent rule in general.

The book is slated for a March 2010 release.

From the catalog:

Silver Seasons and a New Frontier: The Story of the Rochester Red Wings, Second Edition, by Jim Mandelaro and Scott Pitoniak.

Taking us back to the early nineteenth century, when baseball was played in the meadows and streets of Rochester, New York, Silver Seasons and a New Frontier retraces the careers of the players and manages who honed their skills at silver Stadium and later at Frontier Field. The many greats who played for the Rochester Red Wings — Stan Musial, Cal Ripken, Jr., Bob Gibson, Boog Powell, Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, and Justin Morneau — are among those brought to life in this story rich with quirky performances and poignant moments.

This updated version of Silver Seasons: The Story of the Rochester Red Wings, published in 1996, includes three new chapters covering the teams record-setting tenth International League championship, being named top minor league franchise by Baseball America, and their new affiliation with the Minnesota Twins. Read about the longest game in pro baseball history, a thirty-three-inning affair between the Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox that stretched from April to June; learn about one of the greatest teams in minor league history, the 1971 Junior World Series champion Red Wings; take a trip back in time and relive the miracle homers hit by Estel Crabtree in 1939 and Jim Finigan in 1961; and reminisce about the closing of fabled Silver Stadium and the opening of glorious Frontier Field in downtown Rochester, which was capped by an unlikely championship in the Red Wings’ first season at their new park in 1997.

Jim Mendelaro has covered the Rochester Red Wings for the Democrat and Chronicle sine 1991. He has twice been honored as Sportswriter of the Year by the Rochester Press-Radio Club. He was included into the Frontier Field Walk of Fame in 2007. Scott Pitoniak is the author of ten books, including Memories of Yankee Stadium. He was inducted into the Frontier Field Walk of Fame in 1999 and the Newhouse School of Public Communications Hall of Fame in 2000.

Joe Blanton; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The Winter Meetings are over and not a lot of BluGrass Baseball players have moved teams. Dan Uggla remains a Marlin, Corey Hart a Brewer and Scott Downs a Blue Jay. Todd Wellemeyer, Austin Kearns and Paul Byrd all remain unemployed. Each of the those players and several other Kentucky alumni could still end up elsewhere to start 2010 so keep checking back to BluGrass Baseball for the latest news.

• Jordan Bastian of MLB.com writes the Philadelphia Phillies will likely have to move UK alum Joe Blanton before making a serious run at Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.
• Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports that even after the Winter Meetings, trading Louisville-native Dan Uggla remains high on the Marlins’ agenda.
• Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post writes while Uggla remains a Marlin for now, Florida will still likely have a new second baseman to start 2010.
• Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports the San Francisco Giants are looking to add some power to the lineup, but Uggla is not the Giants’ first choice.
• Aaron Fitt of Baseball America doesn’t under stand the James Paxton camp’s strategy of prolonging its lawsuit against the University of Kentucky. He thinks if Paxton has any chance to play in 2010 he might be best served by meeting with investigators and proceeding from there.
• The Louisville Bats named Matt Andrews their new director of broadcasting. Andrews also serves as the Morehead State men’s basketball lead radio broadcaster.

Chris Burke; Photo by grovesa16 via Flickr

Two quick transactions from Kentucky minor leaguers to pass along; first the good news then the bad. C. Trent Rosecrans of CNATI.com reports Louisville-native Chris Burke has signed a minor-league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Burke will compete for a major league utility spot with the Reds in Spring Training, and if he doesn’t make the team he’ll begin 2009 with his hometown Louisville Bats. “I think we see him as a potential candidate for the utility role on the major league club and if nothing else, he’ll play at Louisville, he’s from Louisville, it’s his hometown and he’s very excited about the possibility to play for either club,” Reds GM Walt Jocketty told Rosecrans. “He’s an experienced guy that might be able to help us.” (Read more)

In less positive news for Bluegrass fans, Lexington-native and University of Kentucky alum Andy Green was released by the New York Mets Thursday. The Mets made the procedural move to free up space on their 40-man roster. Green now becomes a free agent.

Ben Jukich; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

We told you earlier about one Kentucky minor league team member that was selected in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft, but he wasn’t the only player with Bluegrass ties taken. The St. Louis Cardinals selected 2009 Louisville Bats starting pitcher Ben Jukich with the 16th pick in the first round of the major league portion of the draft. “The idea is that he could be anything, really,” Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told Matthew Leach of MLB.com. “He’s someone who can pitch more than an inning. He has been used in the past as a starter. He gives us some flexibility.” For now Jukich looks to be a long-reliever for the team. (Read more)

Two former Lexington Legends were selected in the AAA portion of the draft. Right-handed pitcher Jose Duran, who was 2-1 with a 1.66 ERA in eight games with the Legends in 2008, was selected by the Norfolk Tides in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Duran spent 2009 at high A Lancaster where he was 2-5 with an 8.06 ERA. Outfielder Nick Moresi, who spent parts of 2007 and 2008 in Lexington, was selected by the Syracuse Chiefs of the Washington Nationals organization. Moresi batted .223 in 101 games between high A Lancaster and AA Corpus Christi in 2009.

You can see every Rule 5 pick here.

This time last year, I was preparing for the big move to Florida….and currently, I am stressing about job searching, studying for my Spanish final, and how I am going to handle 19 credit hours next semester.  However, I just found out I can graduate in June instead of August–that definetely brightened up this 13 degree weather day!

Speaking of weather, TAKE ME BACK TO FLORIDA!  Not only do I miss the amazing weather (ok, June, July and August was downright BRUTAL), but I miss the whole experience I had from January 2009-August 2009 while I was down there.  Anywhere from 70-100 hour work weeks (yes, 100 hours in a week.  I reached that feat twice last summer) that included dressing up as the mascot, supervising an all-night Boy Scout overnight in the outfield, and re-programming cash registers weren’t always a blast, but when I look back, I really did love it.  After so long, it’s almost like I got a euphoric high off working so much and not really knowing what I would be doing everyday.

It’s this experience I had that helped me figure out that I don’t want to do a normal 9-to-5 job after college.  My mom is a retired 7th grade English teacher, and she always says that teachers have the best schedules–you work the same hours your children are in school, you have the same breaks, and you have the summer off.  I 100% agree.  My mom was a GREAT teacher–however, I would not be.  When the day approaches that having a family presents itself, I’ll worry about how my job plays into that.  But now, with graduation 6 months away, I want nothing more than to move, hopefully start a promising job, and be on my own.

Yes, I said be on my own.  So many people say to “Stay in college as long as you can! The real world isn’t that great! Become a lifelong member of Kilroys!”

As cool as that sounds, I really DON’T want to stay in college for as long as I can.  I realize that the “real world” includes bills, being cut off from my parents (more or less…hoping for a little help from M & D to get me started….Hi guys!), and essentially being broke for a while (funny side note–we went to visit my sister in Nashville right after she graduated and to save money, she turned her heat down to 60 degrees…We were so cold that my dad threw some money on her bed just to get her to turn her heat up!).

Keeping the fore mentioned in mind, I know it’s not always going to be fun, I can’t buy all the things I want or used to buy (I will be switching to ALL generic brands at the grocery…luxury of a struggling college student: parents lovingly (or reluctantly) pay for my groceries!) and the work holiday parties will be mildly dull compared to the weekends out in Bloomington.

I would love to be Peter Pan and “never grow up,” but it’s approaching…quickly.

As Asher Roth shouts “I love College!!!!” in his ridiculously popular song (circa last year), I agree–I love college…but not enough to stay forever.

So in June, I will take my last victory lap around Kirkwood and Walnut (don’t worry, I’ll be back to visit) and switch out my “going out clothes” for work clothes.

So from now until then, check back about my job hunt, finishing up college, and other witty pieces of enlightenment.

Happy Holidays!

np

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

UPDATE: In further proof of why I’m a graduate student/freelance journalist, the major-league portion of the Rule 5 draft is over and Shelby wasn’t selected. However, 2009 Louisville Bats starting pitcher Ben Jukich was nabbed by the St. Louis Cardinals. LHP Jukich was 9-6 with a 4.10 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 123 IP. He probably doesn’t fit in the Cardinals rotation so he’ll need to stick with the team as a lefty reliever or be returned to the Reds.

It’s Thursday of the Winter Meetings, so that means we are just minutes away from the always exciting Rule 5 draft. In all seriousness, the rule 5 is generally one of the most talked about baseball events with the littlest action. Of course we’ve all heard the success stories (e.g. Louisville-native Dan Uggla and Cy Young winner Johan Santana) but the vast majority of rule five picks will not finish the season with the teams that select them, and will probably have very little impact. With that said, here’s a brief rundown of the Rule 5 eligibility rules and a look at one Kentucky alum that might be selected.

Players who are not protected on their organization’s major-league 40-man roster and signed at age 19 or older in 2006 or 18 and younger in 2005 are eligible for this year’s draft. Or a more understandable definition: most college players from the 2006 draft and 2005 high school draftees and international signees are eligible. Rule 5 selections must stay on the major league active roster for the entire season or be returned For Kentucky fans, it’s safe to say most of the upper-minor league players are eligible with the exception of the few on a 40-man roster.

The Kentucky alum most likely to be selected might be former UK star John Shelby. I confirmed that Shelby was eligible for the draft with Ben Badler of Baseball America, and he could fit with a MLB team as a fifth outfielder with speed this season. Shelby struggled to the tune of a .243 batting average with 10 home runs and 49 RBI in AA in 2009, but was ranked on the White Sox top prospect list as recently as 2008. If I’m a team looking high reward player in the draft who could actually contribute to a major league team as a defensive replacement or pinch runner I look Shelby’s way.

Here’s Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com’s Rule 5 preview, and the latest buzz from Baseball America.

Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post is reporting the Houston Astros today traded 2009 Lexington Legend Robert Bono and two other minor leaguers to the Tampa Bay Rays for relief pitcher Matt Lindstrom. Bono was 10-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 25 games for the Legends this season. The right-hander had 66 strikeouts in 143.1 innings pitched and completed three games for Lexington. (Read more)

Colling Cowgill; Photo: UK Athletics

Baseball America has stepped away from the Winter Meetings madness long enough to release its top ten Arizona Diamondbacks prospects, and UK alum Collin Cowgill checks in at number nine on the list. Cowgill originally was slotted at ten, but he moved up a spot after the D’Backs shipped Daniel Schlereth to the Yankees in the Curtis Granderson blockbuster.  Arizona, who’s best pitcher and offensive player were both born in the Bluegrass state, is positioned to become Kentucky west with Cowgill and former UK teammate Sean Coughlin moving through the system. (Full List)

Here’s a look at Cowgill’s injury-shortened 2009 season and a snippet of BA analysis:

#9 — OF Collin Cowgill — High A Visalia — UK

• .277, 6 HR, 36 RBI, 61 games
• .277/.373/.445
• BA: “Cowgill earned the right to open 2010 in Double-A after hitting well in his two months at Visalia. On a contender, he profiles as a fourth outfielder who can provide righthanded pop and constant energy.”

A minor league baseball club was in the hunt for a new sales rep. One candidate on the short list impressed managers with how she would approach clients in a face-to-face setting.  But she struck out on how she would deal with clients via telephone, which plays a big part in how the baseball team generates its revenue.

“She didn’t present herself very well on the phone,” said Lee Salz, president of Sales Architects, who would not name the baseball organization. “The [team] never had a formal way of evaluating sales candidates, which created risk to the company. In the past, they would have erroneously hired this candidate, but they decided to put a sales talent screening program in place so that they could more scientifically hire the right people. It all started with the development of the profile of their ideal sales person. With the profile in place, they created the evaluation steps to compare the candidate to the profile.”

It all seems to come back to that pesky word: process. We’ve been discussing process quite a bit lately and the utter lack of it in many crucial areas of sales, particularly sales training and sales hiring. Salz, author of “Soar Despite Your Dodo Sales Manager,” and a columnist for Sales and Marketing Management, said promoting sales reps to sales managers also suffers from a good deal of ad-hockery and little to no process.

“There is a disconnect in thinking that all great sales people have the potential to make great sales managers,” Salz said. “And, often times, it isn’t until after the new sales manager has failed that it is realized that this was a mistake for all parties.”

To use another sports analogy, take Isiah Thomas. He’s arguably one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history. But when he reached the management ranks, he proceeded to destroy first the Continental Basketball Association and then the New York Knicks. Sometimes, it’s good to accept your limitations.

Think of a couple of hackneyed expressions to describe successful salespeople. Say, “The Killer,” or “The Closer.” Neither of them have any business near sales managers’ offices. “It’s a total change in mindset and philosophy,” Salz said, adding that smoothing the transition from sales rep to sales manager requires a fundamental change from ‘I-centric’ to ‘We-centric.’

Indeed, shifting from a sales rep on the floor to a sales manager with a beeline to the C-suite requires changing one’s mindset altogether and resetting the relationship meter. “One key consideration for rainmakers is that they are going from directly generating income to having their earnings generated by their sales team,” Salz said. “Not everyone can stomach that change.”

He added: “It is incumbent upon companies to first develop a profile of their ideal sales manager and then determine which candidates fit within that profile. Even though the candidate got on your radar screen because of his or her sales success, their sales management candidacy should be evaluated based on management criteria.”

However, candidates for promotion should share the burden when faced with an opportunity to go to another level within the company. “Candidates get themselves in trouble when they get blinded by the numbers,” Salz said, referring to the expectation that an increase in salary will accompany the promotion.  But that may end up being a wash: Sales reps who are promoted may very well get a bump in salary, but they may also face a significant loss in commission. It’s not uncommon for top sales people to out earn their sales managers.

The key to successful hiring, Salz stressed,  whether a sales person or a sales manager, is the development of your profile of the ideal candidate for the role. “With that documented, formulate your sales talent screening program to compare and contrast the candidates to your profile,” he said.

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Dan Uggla; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The Winter Meetings are officially underway and, as expected, most of the Bluegrass speculation centers on a certain Florida second baseman. Check out those rumors and more in some mid-afternoon links:

• Andrew Baggarly of the Silicon Valley Mercury News reports the Florida Marlins may be asking for top pitching prospect Madison Bumgarner from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Louisville-native Dan Uggla. The Giants are unlikely to pursue Uggla at that price.
• Stan McNeal of The Sporting News writes the Marlins’ biggest question entering the Winter Meetings is whether they will move Uggla.
• Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe also lists Uggla as the likely Marlin to move in his team-by-team Winter Meetings breakdown.
• Daan De Kerpel of TSN in Canada speculates the Blue Jays could create a market for closer and UK alum Scott Downs despite the glut of relievers available.
• John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer asks where will 2009 Louisville Bat and Cincinnati Reds’ top prospect Todd Frazier play in 2020?

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

James Paxton continues to dominate the BluGrass Baseball headlines, but the Winter Meetings start tomorrow in Indianapolis so plenty of trade rumors will break in the next few days. Baseball executives will arrive in Indiana today so keep checking back for news about your favorite Kentucky major leaguers.

• Aaron Fitt of Baseball America looks at UK’s response in the James Paxton lawsuit, and lists three possible outcomes.
• Dan Uggla tells Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post that if the Marlins are going to trade him, he would prefer it to be sooner than later.
• Jordan Bastian of MLB.com lists UK alum Scott Downs as one Blue Jays trade candidate.
• Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports echoes the Downs rumors.
• Mark Sheldon of MLB.com looks at the Cincinnati Reds’ farm system including AAA Louisville Bats.

MLB.com has compiled its draft roundups for each of the 30 major league franchises. I’ve linked the relevant roundups for the Kentucky audience below with a reminder of what Kentucky players mentioned in the roundup went to that team.

• San Francisco Giants — 3B Chris Dominguez (UofL)
• Detroit Tigers — 3B Wade Gaynor (WKU)
• Oakland Athletics — LHP Justin Marks (UofL)
• Chicago Cubs — LHP Chris Rusin (UK)
• Seattle Mariners — RHP Tyler Blandford (Daviees County)
• Florida Marlins — SS Terrence Dayleg (WKU)
• Toronto Blue Jays — LHP James Paxton (UK) — Did Not Sign

Baseball America has released its list of the top ten prospects for the Arizona Fall League, and 2009 Bat Yonder Alonso made the cut. Alonso only played with Louisville during the International League playoffs, but he should start 2010 in AAA. The first baseman batted .292 with nine home runs and 52 RBI in 84 games between rookie ball, high A and AA in 2009. Check out Alonso’s AFL stats and a snippet of BA analysis below:

#8) 1B — Yonder Alonso — Peoria Saguaros — Cincinnati Reds

• .267, two home runs, 23 RB, 23 G
• BA: “When healthy, Alonso has above-average power and good bat speed, allowing him to let the ball travel deep in the zone and wear out the gaps. His plate discipline helps him get into good hitter’s counts and get on base at a high clip.”

Alonso has also appeared in two games in the Puerto Rican Winter League following the AFL season. You can see the full BA list here. (subscription required)

Chris Rusin; Photo: UK Athletics

James Paxton isn’t the only Kentucky baseball player making headlines this week. With that in mind here are some non-Paxton storylines for a Friday morning:

• Kendall Rogers of Yahoo! Sports sits down with UofL baseball Coach Dan McDonnell.
• Mark Mathis of the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer profiles the Hancock County to WKU baseball pipeline.
• The Courier-Journal looks at UofL’s baseball signing class. (We will break down the class this afternoon.)
• Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com looks at the Cubs’ 2009 draft class including UK alum Chris Rusin.
• Keith Elkins, Lexington Legends broadcaster, looks at the new coaching staff on his blog.
• David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News writes that the Phillies haven’t given any indication they would consider non-tendering UK alum Joe Blanton, but the possibility is at least worth mentioning.

Dan Uggla; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

The BluGrass Baseball hot stove league moved to Boston Tuesday. Check out those Kentucky-related Red Sox rumors and other headlines:

• Red Sox second baseman and former MVP Dustin Pedroia tells Browne and Alden Gonzalez he would be open to moving to shortstop. The reporters speculate such a move might lead the Red Sox to pursue Louisville-native Dan Uggla.
• Michael Silverman of The Boston Herald also considers Uggla in a Boston uniform.
• Ian Browne writes that the Red Sox might elect to pursue Brandon Webb and other star-studded 2010 free agents instead of making many moves this offseason.
• Laura Petrecca of USA Today examines family-run businesses including Louisville Slugger owner Hillerich & Bradsby.
• Jason Stella of Examiner.com recaps winter league action from 2009 Louisville Bats.
• Tracy Ringolsby of Baseball America chatted about Rockies prospects, including EKU alum Christian Friedrich and Lexington-native Chaz Roe. (Subscription required)