Results tagged ‘ Matt Kennelly ’
Down on the Farm – Beresford, M Kennelly, Lamb promoted to AAA
Cameron Lamb
Three Aussies have been promoted to AAA following the 2013 Spring Training. James Beresford (Twins), Matt Kennelly (Braves) and Cameron Lamb (Astros) are now just a heartbeat away from The Show. Both James and Matt got some limited playing time with the Majors during the spring.
Heat’s Lamb was picked up by the Astros in the Minor League (AAA) phase of the Rule V draft from the Giants. He must remain on the AAA roster for the entire season this excluding any disabled list trips. If Cameron fails to be effective he will be sent back through waivers and offered back to his original team.
Unfortunately for Matt he starts the season on the DL after he injured his hand whilst attempting to bunt in a Spring Training game last week.
Click here for the complete list of Aussie and NZ players in pro ball.
Spring Training – Aussies in action – George, Kandilas, Kennelly, Moylan (dropped), Welch
Peter Moylan is the latest to be sent back to the minors
It’s not been a good week for Aussie potential major leaguers with Travis Blackley and Josh Spence being sent down. Now comes news that the Dodgers have dropped Peter Moylan to the minor leagues. That leaves only Grant Balfour and possibly Liam Hendriks as our representatives in The Show. Disappointing.
A number of minor leaguers got some playing time in the final games of Spring Training today. David Kandilas got a good run with the Rockies going 0-1 and a walk and a run. Both Matt Kennelly and Stefan Welch went 0-2 and rookie Darryl George didn’t get to bat but got to play at third late in the Rays’ game today. This no doubt softened the disappointment he felt when he was unable to crack a place in a full season team and has to return next week to extended spring.
Spring Training – Aussies in action – Beresford homers (seriously he did), M Kennelly
Braves’ Manager Fredi Gonzalez checks on Matt Kennelly after he was hit on the hand whilst attempting to bunt. Matt left the game.Photo: Jeff Roberson
James Beresford had his first Grapefruit League home run today when he pounded one out against the Baltimore Orioles in the 8th inning. In fact it is only his 2nd home run in his professional career with the Twins, the other being in Beloit in 2010.
It might well be significant as the concern for the Twins for some time has been his inability to put on weight and increase his power at the plate. Perhaps he has been hitting the Pilates. Whatever, it’s good to see. Some did think that he looked a little bigger when he played for the Aces this year. His outstanding defensive performances for Australia were noteworthy so hopefully this will be the first of many long balls for James.
Matt Kennelly had a brief stint catching for the Braves today but it didn’t go well for him at the plate when attempting to bunt. Braves’ Manager, Fredi Gonzalez, said Matt probably won’t be able to catch Thursday after developing a blood blister on a right-hand finger when he was hit by a pitch while attempting the bunt.
Spring Training – Aussies in action – Beresford, M Kennelly
James Beresford had some time at SS today
Not much Aussie action today but good to see a couple of our young prospects getting a sniff with James Beresford coming on to play SS for the Twins and Matt Kennelly getting to catch for The Braves.
Both went 0-1 at the plate
Matt Kennelly prepared for season debut
Matt Kennelly looks to contribute to the Heat’s lineup upon his return. (Theron Kirkman / SMP Images)
By Tom Fee/Heat
Most players don’t arrive to the ballpark for training until mid to late afternoon, however Matt Kennelly was the exception to that rule, arriving early for a morning workout ahead of his season debut for the Alcohol. Think Again Perth Heat against the Adelaide Bite this weekend.
It’s been a long year for Kennelly, who hasn’t had much time to spend with his family and friends in Perth throughout his baseball career. Such is the life of a professional ballplayer, but for Kennelly it’s even more intense, leaving Australia in February for pitchers and catchers report and staying late through November for the prestigious Arizona Fall League.
The opportunity to play in Arizona may have highlighted Kennelly’s year, but it also resulted in some disappointment, departing early with a niggling hand injury. Since then Kennelly has been flying between Australia and Atlanta for an operation and rehabilitation but is back in Perth to rejoin the Heat for the playoff run in a bid for a third straight title.
With the Heat ahead of the pack with a 14-8 record, Kennelly is looking forward to getting out there to further strengthen the Heat’s hitting lineup. Kennelly has averaged .301 over the Heat’s past two championship seasons, and is eager to get back out there again for his home side.
“It’s been frustrating not being able to play with the guys, I always come back each offseason and play with the Heat boys, but now that I’m healthy with the hand, I’m ready to go.”
While Kennelly usually shares catching duties with Allan de San Miguel, Matt will have to wait until much later this season to get behind the plate as his hand fully recovers.
“It’s feeling good and I’m back to normal hitting, but it’ll still be a good month before I’m behind the dish and catching. The surgeon has given me instructions to let it heal fully before I start catching, but from there I’ll look to finish out the rest of the season.”
While brother Tim Kennelly is being rested by the Philladelphia Phillies, Matt Kennelly will get the chance to play with his brother Sam for the first time in a Heat uniform, with the brothers making the roster that flies over to Adelaide tomorrow.
“I had the chance to play with Sam last week at the Melville Braves, but I’m looking forward to strapping on the Heat jersey with him for sure.”
“I’m just hoping I can contribute to the team” continued Kennelly. “We’ve always been successful the last few years with the Heat and it’s good to see the boys doing well to start the season. Hopefully I can contribute to this and have a good run to the playoffs.”
Tom Fee is a staff writer for the Alcohol. Think Again Perth Heat and contributor to the ABL Buzz. You can follow Tom on his twitter feed @thomfee.
Matt Kennelly injured – out of AFL (update)
Matt Kennelly
A worriesome hand will see Matt Kennelly off to see an orthopaedic surgeon today and caused his removal from the prestigious Arizona Fall League.
In a tweet Matt said:- Headed to the orthopaedic surgeon today. Time to fix this mess of a hand#wishmeluck
That we do Matt.
Update: Matt is reporting the possibility of ligament damage and will know more after an MRI on Monday
Josh Spence off to Arizona Fall League
Josh Spence
Padres Josh Spence has been a late addition to the AFL where he will replace Casey Kelly on the pitching roster of the Peoria Javelinas.
Josh is the 2nd Australian being sent to the AFL after the Braves’ Matt Kennelly was selected earlier.
Heat keep it in the family – Matt Kennelly
By Tom Fee/Perth Heat
(Image courtesy of SMP Images)
|
Fans may be forgiven for thinking they’ve tuned into an Abbot and Costello routine when watching games on Heat TV this season.
“Kennelly from the stretch…and the runner goes! It’s a great throw by Kennelly, Kennelly gets the tag and he’s out at 2nd!”
And that’s only if three of the Kennelly brothers are playing.
One of the Heat’s newest recruits for 2012 / 2013 season is well known to Heat fans, at least by name. Catcher Josh Kennelly is slated to be a part of the Heat’s bid for three straight ABL Championships, joining his brothers Matt and reigning MVP Tim in the Heat line-up.
It’s only September, but 2012 has been a massive year for the Kennelly clan. Matt and Tim Kennelly played a crucial role in the Heat’s championship defence with Tim picking up the prestigious Helms Award for Most Valuable Player in the ABL. After an impressive showing in spring training, both players were part of their teams’ 40-man roster during Spring Training, Matt suiting up for the Braves, and Tim for the Phillies before both starting in their respective AA sides.
Not to be outdone, the younger Kennelly brothers signed big contracts with Major League teams. With Josh (18) going to the Reds and Sam (16) becoming a Pirate, the Kennellys now have an unprecedented four brothers signed to Major League contracts.
So, when and where can we expect to see Perth’s favourite baseball family in the coming ABL season?
Matt Kennelly
Matt Kennelly (C, 1B)
Matt Kennelly is expected to suit up for the Heat some time during the coming season but his commitments with the Braves and the Arizona Fall League should keep him in America until January. As the Arizona Fall League is one of the primary off-season leagues for minor league athletes, Matt will see his AFL time with the Braves’ affiliate team, the Phoenix Desert Dogs, as a great opportunity to play with and against the MLB’s best young players; in fact, 24 of the athletes on MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospect list are expected to participate in the league this year. Starting in October, Matt will be with the Desert Dogs until the season finishes in mid-November.
While primarily a catcher in the US, Matt’s return to Australia will give the Heat plenty of options behind the plate. Much like in recent seasons with the Heat, Kennelly should appear in a variety of positions such as first base and in the outfield as he rotates catching duties with De San Miguel and Josh Kennelly.
Mixed bag for “Braves” Aussies
11game hitting streak for Matt
It was good and not so good for a couple of Aussies in the Atlanta Braves’ organisation today.
Matt Kennelly in the AA Mississippi Braves extended his hitting streak to 11 today with a RBI single in the 6th helping the Braves to a walk off 4-3 win over Hunstville.
He is hitting .438 over his last 10 games.
Andrew Russell blew his 2nd save when he was tagged for 3 runs (2 inherited) in the 9th by the Northern Tide who then scored 3 more in the 11th to steal a 6-3 victory over the Gwinnett Braves in AAA action.
Andrew’s line was 2INN, 2H, 1R, 2BB, 0K. He is 1.54 over his last 10 outings.
Searle gets his 1st Win; RRS gets his 3rd; Kennelly stays hot;
Brisbane Bandits starter Ryan Searle – gets 1st Win
Ryan Searle coming on in the 5th threw 4 scoreless innings today, allowing just 1 hit and a walk but fanning 3 to earn his 1st AAA win when Iowa defeated Memphis 6-3.
Yesterday fellow Aussie Ryan Rowland-Smith picked up his 3rd win for the Iowa Cubs giving up a single home run in his 5 innings’ start. He allowed only that 1 hit and a walk whilst striking out 6.
Matt Kennelly extended his hitting streak to 10 yesterday going 1-4 with a double for the Mississippi Braves. This takes his AVG to .455 over that period.
