Tag: Illinois baseball

Olympic Baseball starts Aug 13

I watched a bit of the Olympics today.  I admit I’m a fan when they come around.  Unfortunately, this will be the last time baseball and softball will be featured during the summer games.  I don’t agree with the decision especially since there are other "sports" that the Olympics are phasing in.  Whatever. 

That said, keep an eye out on August 13th when baseball tourney gets moving.  Four games will be played including the USA vs Korea. 

One other team that I’ll have my eye on will be Team Canada.  Why?  Because their catcher is none other than Chris Robinson.  Robbie is a former University of Illinois catcher who played before the Lars Davis era.  He is taking a hiatus from his stint in the Cubs farm organization.  When he left to help Team Canada, Tennessee Smokies in Double A ball.  Robinson is a good gap hitter and knows his way behind a plate so I hope once this is all over, he’ll come right back and get right back into the swing of things for the Cubs. 

If you’re interested, I interviewed Chris for Baseball Zealot Radio a year ago spring just before he reported to spring training. 

2008 Olympic Baseball Schedule

Wille Argo: I think we got a good ‘un

Willie Argo (Assumption Davenport, IA) has just been named Male High School Athlete of the Year by the second major Iowa paper.  Argo is a member of the University of Illinois baseball recruiting class of 2008. 

The Des Moines Register agreed with the Quad City Times (yay, my newspaper when I was a kid) by bestowing the honor last week. 

There’s a good reason for this award.  Yes, he plays baseball where he led the 2A Assumption team to a second straight title.  But that’s not all.  Oh no. 

He was running back for the football team where he rushed for 1,533 yards and broke the Mississippi Athletic conference record for TDs (39) and points (234). 

He was also a member of the wrestling team.  As a grappler, he had a 43-1 record came in third in state.  Argo ALSO qualified for the state track and field meet in four events. 

This was all in addition to his exploits on the diamond.  By the way, he was captain of his baseball team, too. 

Assumption… don’t assume anything with this guy. 

more details from fightingillini.com

Shawn Roof: News from Double-A

I always enjoy getting emails especially when they come from former Illini players.  Shawn Roof updated me on his latest since he got promoted to the Tigers’ AA squad, the Erie Seawolves.

Roof is enjoying the slightly cooler weather in Erie, PA (compared to Single-A weather in Florida, at least).  However, the biggest change is everyone is that much better at the higher level.  "The defenses are unbelievable, and you really have to earn your hits."  Pitchers are learning to work the counts better too, apparently.  Roof says, "Unlike before if you’re ahead in the count you’ll see a fastball, but now you see more 2-0 curveballs, and 3-2 curveballs."

A big highlight for Roof recently was when the Seawolves got a chance to face big leaguer Fausto Carmona. 

He had a pretty good sinker and induced a lot of ground ball outs, but he sure didn’t overpower us like I thought he would, so that was cool to see that you can hang in there against guys like that.  I had a infield base hit off of him.  I hit a chopper up the middle, and he jumped up and knocked it down but I beat it out.
Shawn did have a bit of bad news.  Former Illini and Oriole draft pick Kyle Hudson is out with a broken hand.  Hud looks to be back in a couple weeks.
 
I want to say that though I relate a lot of baseball related stuff from Shawn, I should mention he never neglects to ask about me and the family.  One of the nicest guys I know.
 
Good luck Shawn!!
 
 

 

Robinson named to Canadian Olympic team

Congrats to Chris Robinson who made the Canadian Olympic Baseball team! 

Robinson, who is a University of Illinois alum, was taking a respite from his time in the Cubs farm system so he could help his fellow teammates on the Canadian team qualify for the Beijing games.  For his efforts, Robbie was named to the final squad. 

Canada will open against China on August 13. 

Robinson was a guest on Baseball Zealot Radio last spring before he went into spring training. 

Former Illini Roof moving on up

Roof during his Illini days

Shawn Roof, who only last spring played shortstop for the Illini and then was drafted by the Tigers, has gotten a promotion.  After playing the bulk of this summer for the Tiger’s A team, the Lakeland Flying Tigers, he’s going to Double-A ball. 

He’s now playing for the AA Erie Seawolves.

“I came up here not knowing what to expect and just wanted to play defense well and try and do some things at the plate to help the team,” Roof said. “I’m moving runners and, luckily, a few balls have fallen in.”

Good luck, Shawn!

Pair of Illini garner honors

Congrats to Illini baseball Phil Haig and Brandon Wikoff.  Both recently were honored by the Northwoods League.

Hurler Phil Haig was named to the Northwoods League All-Star team after going 4-1 with a tiny 1.05 ERA for the Rochester Honkers.  So far this season, he’s struck out 42 while walking 18. 

Tonight, Wikoff was named Northwoods Player of the Night after going 3 for 3, 3 walks and 5 runs for his Madison Mallards.  Teammate Joe Bonadonna, also an Illini, was 4 for 4 with 3 runs. 

Madison will be hosting the NWL All-Star Game this coming Sunday. 

Media coverage on Illini Johnson

The Rochester Post-Bulletin has a nice writeup on Illini catcher Aaron Johnson who is spending his summer playing for the Rochester Honkers. 

Haha, I love this bit:

“Aaron likes to complain, not in a bad way, but in a loud way,” Honkers manager Jason Plourde said with a grin.

“If the movie’s not right on the bus, for example, he’ll be the one grumbling, ‘God I hate this movie!'”

Reportedly, it’s his defense that is wowing everyone up north.  For a catcher, that’s good news.

Bonadonna gets second chance with Madison Mallards

070 Illini secondbaseman Joe Bonadonna’s summer has been quite tumultuous up north.  The weekend after the amateur draft, Joe signed his release waiver from the Duluth Huskies where he’s been a fan favorite for years.  Huskies management turned in the waiver and despite that Bonadonna had expressed regrets, there was nothing the team could do according to Northwoods League rules. 

Now, Joe Bonadonna has found a second life in the Northwoods League.  Though league rules prevented Bonadonna from going back to the Huskies, there was nothing preventing another NWL team from picking the talented secondbaseman.  And that’s exactly what the Madison Mallards have done. 

Bonadonna has been with Madison for three games now and is off to a decent start.  So far, he’s 3 for 10 with 3 walks in those three games.  The Mallards are batting Bonadonna second in the lineup. 

Bonadonna has quite a legacy at Duluth and unfortunately, his departure from the Huskies has evoked some bitter feelings among a few of the fans who feel he left them high and dry.  Madison’s two game series in Duluth next week should be interesting for Bonadonna.

U of I 2008 draftees beginning to make their mark

hudson30

Hudson off to a good start with the Aberdeen Ironbirds

The 2008 Illini draftees have made a good impression so far in the minors. If the first couple weeks are any indication, they are in the pros for a while. 

Former Illini and All-Big Ten centerfielder Kyle Hudson is at the Orioles’ A farm team in Aberdeen.  He’s already off to hot start.  He’s hitting .280 (7 for 33) with 5 rbis with 7 walks.  As he did with Illinois, Kyle is playing centerfield. 

Scott Shaw, who was drafted by the Mets, is spending time with the Brooklyn Cyclones.  In two starts and one relief, he’s allowed two just runs in 14 innings.  In those 14 innings, Shaw’s KOed 18 batters.

Interestingly, one appearance (the relief in which Shaw got the win) was against Hudson’s team, the Aberdeen Ironbirds, but Shaw didn’t have the pleasure of facing off against his old teammate. 

Finally, for those who remember the Illini from before this year, Tanner Roark was a All-Big Ten second team starting pitcher in 2007.  Thanks to Tanner, we won the first game in the 2007 Big Ten Tournament against Iowa.  Well, Roark was declared ineligible in 2008 because of his academics. 

That didn’t stop the Texas Rangers from taking a flier on Tanner in this year’s draft.  And so far, he’s looking pretty good in the Rangers’ team in the Rookie League in the Arizona League.  Roark has been put in the role as reliever in three games.  While three games and five innings is a small sample size, he hasn’t allowed a run yet and has struck out six batters while walking no one. 

Good luck to all!