11 Former Legends Currently in the Major Leagues

Delino DeShields, Jr. became the 57th ex-Legend to make it to the Major Leagues on Wednesday, when he made his debut with the Texas Rangers. Of those 57, 11 are currently on a big league roster.

(Years in Lexington)

Fernando Abad, LHP, Oakland (2008)
Matt Albers, RHP, Chicago White Sox (2004)
Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston (2010)
Delino DeShields, Jr., OF, Texas (2011-12)
Chris Johnson, 3B, Atlanta (2007)
Jordan Lyles, RHP, Colorado (2009)
J.D. Martinez, OF, Detroit (2010)
Bud Norris, RHP, Baltimore (2007)
Jimmy Paredes, IF, Baltimore* (2010)
Hunter Pence, OF, San Francisco* (2005)
Ben Zobrist, IF, Oakland (2005)

Another Legend in the Big Leagues. Who Will Be Next?

Delino DeShields became the 57th former Lexington Legend to play in the Major Leagues when he singled in his first at bat for the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.  DeShields played for Lexington in 2011 and 2012 and leads the franchise in numerous offensive categories including career hits (234) and stolen bases (113).

Who will be the next former Legend to make it to make his debut? The top candidate is the franchise's career leader in pitching victories.

Luis Cruz appeared in a total of 66 games as a Legend from 2010-12. During that time, he chalked up 22 wins.  He also leads the franchise with 315 strikeouts.

Cruz, 24, begins this in Fresno, Houston's AAA affiliate.  He is on the Astros' 40-man roster, which makes him relatively easy to promote if a pitching need arises in Houston.

Other former Legends with a big league debut in view:

Tommy Shirley, LHP, currently in Fresno (Lexington, 2011-12)
Christian Binford, RHP, currently in Omaha (Lexington, 2013)


Former Legends in Northwest Arkansas (Kansas City's AA affiliate):
Miguel Almonte, RHP
Hunter Dozier, IF
Terrance Gore, OF
Raul Mondesi, IF
Aroni Nina, RHP
Mark Peterson, RHP
Daniel Stumpf, LHP
Ali Williams, RHP

Former Legends in the World Series

For the first time in franchise history, two former Lexington Legends are participating in the World Series.  Hunter Pence (Giants) and Terrance Gore (Royals) spent time as Legends earlier in their careers.  Pence was in Lexington in 2005, and Gore was a Legend in 2013.

Prior to this season only two former Legends have taken part in the World Series:

2008- Ben Zobrist with Tampa Bay.  Zobrist went 1 for 7 as the Rays fell to Philadelphia.

2012- Hunter Pence with San Francisco.  Pence was 4 for 14 with one double and one RBI as the Giants swept the Tigers.

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ex-Legends in the Post-Season

Who are the former members of the Lexington Legends participating in this year's play-offs?  Here's a rundown.

UPDATE on 10/16/2014
To the World Series:

Terrance Gore, Kansas City
Hunter Pence, San Francisco

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UPDATE on 10/8/2014

Who's on to the LCS:

Terrance Gore, Kansas City
Bud Norris, Baltimore
Jimmy Paredes, Baltimore
Hunter Pence, San Francisco


(Year in Lexington in parenthesis)

Fernando Abad, Oakland (2008)
Terrance Gore, Kansas City (2013)
J.D. Martinez, Detroit (2010)
Bud Norris, Baltimore (2007)
Jimmy Paredes, Baltimore (2010)
Hunter Pence, San Francisco (2005)

Nannini Released by Amarillo

For those of you following the comeback of pitcher Mike Nannini, he was released by Amarillo of the American Association Saturday.  Nannini is attempting a professional comeback after being away for almost six years.  He made five starts for Amarillo, posting a 5.68 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.

I will update you if Nannini is picked up by another team and continues his comeback.  If you know something about Nannini's status, please leave a comment below as I'd be curious to know where he is headed.  Thanks.

Nannini's Comeback Continues in Laredo

Based solely on the box score, Mike Nannini had the most effective start of him comeback to professional baseball Tuesday night in Laredo.  Nannini allowed only seven hits and one run(on a 2nd inning home run) in six innings.  He upped his record to 3-1 in his fourth start of the year.

Breakdown of Nannini's performance:

He faced 26 batters and threw 79 pitches(55 strikes)
Allowed seven hits(one infield hit)
Six ground ball outs
Seven fly outs
Two infield pop outs
Three strikeouts
One walk

It appears Nannini's next outing should be Sunday in Lincoln, Nebraska or Monday in Amarillo vs. Laredo.

Mike Nannini slated to start Sunday night in Amarillo

Mike Nannini is slated to start his comeback as a professional pitcher Sunday night in Amarillo.  Nannini, who has been out of organized baseball since May of 2008,  is scheduled to start for the Amarillo Sox against Winnipeg according to the Sox Twitter feed.

The game's first pitch will be thrown at 6:05 pm.(Central Time).  The Sox are offering free game admission to all fans; however, if you can't make it to Amarillo in time, the radio broadcast can be accessed through the Sox website.

After Almost Six Years Away, Ex-Legend Nannini is Back on the Mound

After being away from the game for almost six years, Mike Nannini, who was a member of the first Lexington Legends team in 2001, is attempting a comeback as a professional pitcher.  Nannini, whose 15 wins in 2001 is still a single season best for the Legends franchise, is on the roster for the Amarillo Sox of the American Association, an independent league.  He currently is listed as inactive on the league website's roster page.

Nannini,33, was drafted 37th over-all by Houston in the 1998 draft.  He parted ways with the Astros organization after spending 2002 at AA Round Rock.  He pitched for eight different organizations over the next five seasons, topping out with 63 AAA outings.  His last appearance in professional baseball came when he made six appearances for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League early in the 2008 season.

Amarillo begins play at home Thursday night against the Winnipeg Goldeneyes.  The Sox's 100-game schedule wraps up September 1.  It includes stops in Texas, Kansas, Minnesota, Indiana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa, and Missouri.

Two Ex-Legends are Coming to Lexington's "Neighborhood" this Weekend

Hey, Legends fans, with the club on the road Saturday, why not take a trip up I-75 to watch a few of the hottest former Legends take on the Reds at Great America Ballpark? 

Jordan Lyles, who started 26 games for Lexington in 2009, is slated to take the mound in the Rockies' game at Cincinnati on Saturday night.  Traded to Colorado prior to this season, Lyles is off to a 4-0 start with a 2.62 ERA in seven starts.  Lyles has not pitched in Cincinnati since April 2012, when he was with Houston.

Brandon Barnes, a Legend in 2008 and 2009, will be in Cincinnati this weekend as well.  He has started 13 games in the Colorado outfield this season.  He is batting .357 with six extra-base hits in 70 total at bats.

What is the Winningest Pitcher in Legends' History Up To?

Luis Cruz, whose name dominates the Lexington Legends' career pitching records page,  is off to an impressive start this season with Corpus Christi.  As April concludes, Cruz, 23, has an ERA of 1.69 in  six appearances with Houston's AA affiliate.  The left-hander has 20 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings so far in 2014. 

Cruz, who was drafted by the Astros in 2008, spent all of 2010 and 2012(and part of 2011) in Lexington.  He is the Legends' franchise leader in career wins(22), strikeouts(315), games started(54), and innings pitched(337 1/3).