Lavarnway homers, Kipnis triples twice, but both face challenges

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — The Peoria Javelinas crushed the Phoenix Desert Dogs 16-8 on Monday (11/8/2010). The win upped Peoria’s record to 14-7, tops in the prestigious Arizona Fall League. Javelinas 2B Jason Kipnis, a Cleveland Indians prospect, tripled twice, walked, and scored two runs while playing DH. For the season, Kipnis is hitting just…

MLB update: Youkilis, Kinsler, Feldman, Kapler

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Here’s the latest news on several MLB players: Youkilis may switch back to 3B in 2011 Boston Red Sox 3B Kevin Youkilis, whose season-ending thumb injury helped scuttle the team’s playoff hopes year, says he’s ready to switch back to 3B if needed in 2011. It’s a possibility because Red Sox…

Ryan Kalish is Jewish after all!

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Several months ago, Jewish Baseball News readers began asking about CF Ryan Kalish of the Boston Red Sox. Could the splashy rookie be a Member of the Tribe? We decided to look into it. After pleasant but inconclusive chats with Kalish’s parents, including his Jewish father, we tried to contact the…

A request for help from Craig Breslow

EDITOR’S NOTE: Craig Breslow needs your help. Years after watching his 14-year-old sister successfully fight thyroid cancer, the Oakland A’s star reliever created a non-profit group to support pediatric cancer research. A week from this Saturday (10/13/2010), the Strike 3 Foundation will host its annual celebrity dinner in Stamford, Conn. Craig would like everyone at…

Game 5: Kinsler nails “sim” Series, but Giants win real one

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — The San Francisco Giants won the 2010 World Series on Monday night (11/1/2010) by beating the Texas Rangers 3-1 in Game 5. Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler, the lone Jew in the Series, was one of only 3 Ranger baserunners for the night. He drew a walk with one out in the…

Not a Jew: Madison Bumgarner

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — San Francisco Giants rookie SP Madison Bumgarner is slated to pitch Game 4 of the 2010 World Series against the Texas Rangers. But he definitely won’t be wearing a kipa. A number of readers recently asked Jewish Baseball News whether Bumgarner, a 21-year-old out of Hickory, N.C., is Jewish. It’s not clear why….

Indians name Kipnis top minor-leaguer of 2010

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Another day, another accolade for 2B Jason Kipnis. On Oct. 21, the Cleveland Indians named Kipnis the franchise’s 2010 Minor League Player of the Year. It’s just the latest recognition of what has been a remarkable year for the 23-year-old standout. According to this MLB.com article, Kipnis currently ranks third on…

Zeid’s zenith: retires Bryce Harper, wins ‘Best Reliever’ award

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Philadelphia Phillies prospect Josh Zeid has received a MiLBY award for Best Reliever at the Class A level. Zeid, 23, was the top vote-getter among six nominees, receiving 39 percent of all votes cast. The award is issued by Minor League Baseball. A 10th-round pick in the 2009 draft, the 6’5″…

Last day to cast your ‘Best Reliever’ vote for Josh Zeid

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — Today (10/25/2010) is your last chance to cast a vote for Philadelphia Phillies prospect Josh Zeid, one of six Class A pitchers nominated by minor-league baseball for its 2010 Best Reliever award, known as a MiLBY. A 10th-round pick in the 2009 draft, Zeid spent 2010 with the “A” Lakewood BlueClaws,…

Jews help drive Javs to win

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — The Peoria Javelinas beat the Peoria Saguaros 7-2 on Saturday (10/23/2010), and 2 of its 3 Jewish players were instrumental. 2B Jason Kipnis, a Cleveland Indians prospect, hit a two-run HR,, walked, and stole a base. Kipnis has been in a minor slump since driving in five runs on Oct. 15….

Gaga over Guez

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — OF Ben Guez of the Surprise Rafters helped carry his team to an 11-4 win over the Peoria Saguaros on Thursday (10/21/2010). The Detroit Tigers prospect went 4/5 with a solo HR, an RBI double, and 3 runs scored. Guez delivered in the field, too. After catching a fly ball in…