Cincinnati Reds Select KMG’s Andrew McDonald in 9th Round

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Cincinnati, Ohio

June 7, 2018

 

KMG Sports is proud to announce that client, Andrew McDonald, has been selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the MLB First Year Player Draft. The Cincinnati Reds selected Andrew with their 9th round pick, selection 259 overall.

Andrew is a Cincinnati native, from Mason, Ohio. A 2013 graduate of Mason High School, Andrew earned three varsity letters in baseball and played under Coach Ken Gray. Following his senior year, Andrew earned Cincinnati Enquirer Player of the Year and Ohio High School Division 1 player of the year. In addition to baseball, Andrew was an all-conference bowler for the Comets. Following his career with Mason, Andrew took his pitching talents to Virginia Tech in the ACC. Andrew enjoyed success as both a starting pitcher and as a reliever. He made 29 appearances and allowed 27 earned runs in 54 2/3 innings, striking out 67 batters and only allowing 27 walks.

Prior to the draft, the Cincinnati Reds held a workout for Andrew in front of several scouts and Director of Scouting, Chris Buckley. Following the workout, Buckley was quoted by reds.com, “[h]e came to our workout the other day and is quite impressive. We knew we wanted to get him.”

The Reds got their guy, and Andrew is proud to have been selected by his hometown team. When asked, “were you a Reds guy growing up” in an interview with Fox 19, Andrew stated without hesitation “yes! I have always loved going down to Great American. Dad and I, it was our summer thing.”

Andrew will report to the Reds Training Facilities on Sunday, June 10, and begin his professional career. KMG Sports is very proud of Andrew for all the hard work that he has put in to make it to this point in his career. Congratulations Andrew, we all look forward to watching you continue to grow as an athlete and as a person, as well as, assisting you in every possible manner along this journey.

Letter from KMG Baseball President

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March 2, 2018,

Cincinnati, OH

 

KMG Baseball, a division of KMG Sports, is proud to announce three of its athletes have reported to Spring Training for the 2018 Major League Baseball season. Those three individuals, Anthony Dimino Jr. (New York Mets), Preston Beck (Texas Rangers), and Zack Kelly (Oakland Athletics), will represent KMG Sports as they work to compete for an opportunity to play at the Major League level and the higher affiliate levels of Minor League Baseball. All three athletes worked tremendously hard in the offseason to improve, not only their respected craft, but their speed, strength, and agility.

Anthony Dimino Jr. spent his offseason training in Cincinnati (Ohio) and Charlotte (North Carolina) with an offseason lifting and dietary program put together by Midwest Athletic Performance and Nutrition Dynamic. Anthony began the offseason weighing 165 lbs., and with a six day a week program, reported to Spring Training at 186 lbs. Anthony looks to work on his highly productive 2017 campaign, where he finished the season with the Mets’ organization’s highest batting average (.330), a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage at five different positions (C, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and RF), and a save in his only closing opportunity. Anthony is projected to start the 2018 season at either AA Binghamton or Adv. A St. Lucie.

Zack Kelly was signed by the Oakland Athletics following the 2017 MLB First-year Player Draft after a stellar college career at Newberry College in South Carolina. Zack also worked with Midwest Athletic Performance in the offseason to improve his speed, agility, and strength while also working with Pitching Coach PJ Zocchi. Zack looks to continue the success he found in his first professional season with AZL Athletics, posting a 3.77 ERA. Zack is projected to start the 2018 season at either Short-Season Vermont or Single-A Beloit.

Preston Beck joined KMG Baseball in February after already establishing himself in the Texas Rangers’ organization. After enjoying success at each level in the minor leagues, being named 2014 Mid-Season All-Star, 2014 MILB.com Organizational All-Star, and 2016 Mid-Season All-Star, Preston looks to continue his success. Preston reported to Spring Training and quickly got into the line-up with the Major League Club. Preston is projected to start the 2018 season at Triple-A Round Rock with a chance to make the 25-man roster out of Spring Training or as a 2018 in-season call-up.

Best of luck to all three KMG Baseball athletes. You all worked extremely hard in the offseason and success will continue to come your way.

 

-Jesse J. Taylor, Esq.

President of KMG Baseball Group

KMG Baseball’s Anthony Dimino Jr. Signs Endorsement Deal with Lizard Skins Baseball

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January 31, 2018

Cincinnati, OH

KMG Baseball’s Anthony Dimino Jr. will have an even stronger grip on the competition and a Major League call-up with the New York Mets in 2018 thanks to Lizard Skins Baseball.  Anthony Dimino Jr. has officially signed an exclusive endorsement deal with Lizard Skins Baseball.  Lizard Skin Baseball launched itself into the Baseball industry in 2012.  Their products include innovative DuraSoft Polymer bat grips and batting gloves that are unique to the touch and engineered with a strategic pattern to ensure non-slip performance and a consistent swing in all weather conditions. Anthony is among several immensely talented players in terms of Lizard Skins endorsed athletes that include: Eric Hosmer, Mookie Betts, Anthony Rizzo, Rabinson Cano, and Hunter Pence, along with others.

Anthony reports to Spring Training on February 20, ready to continue his tear through the New York Mets’ minor league system, having already gone through five (5) minor league team affiliates, with his latest stop with the Mets’ Advanced A, St. Lucie Mets.  Anthony finished the 2017 campaign batting .330 in 212 at-bats, tying him for the highest batting average in the entire Mets’ organization. In addition, Anthony, who is predominately a catcher, logged innings at six (6) different positions including: C, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, LF, and P (registering a Save in his only attempt). Anthony was named the St. Lucie Mets’ Player of the Month for August 2017.

KMG Sports believes Anthony has a very bright future ahead of him and we look forward to watching him continue his success and establish himself as a top young prospect.

 

For more information on Lizard Skins and their products, check out their website at https://lizardskins.com/baseball and be sure to check out Baseball America’s article on Lizard Skins at https://www.baseballamerica.com/business/lizard-skins-gripping-baseball-world/#4VzROS8Lq1udhPuE.97.

 

KMG Represented in Tulane Law School International Baseball Arbitration Competition

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Cincinnati, OH

January 25, 2018

 

On January 18, 2018, KMG’s Jon Schroeder (NKU Chase College of Law), along with his teammate Tyler Noonan (NKU Chase College of Law) competed against 35 of the top law schools in the 2018 Tulane Law School International Baseball Arbitration Competition.  The students were coached by KMG’s President of Baseball Operations, Jesse Taylor.

“The competition is a great platform for the law students and gives them the opportunity to hone their oral advocacy skills and legal writing skills.  There is nothing more beneficial than being outside of the classroom and applying the skills you have learned in front of individuals who do this line of work for a living,” quoted Jesse Taylor about the competition.  There were numerous guest arbitrators, including MLBPA Certified Agents, MLB Club Executives, and MLBPA In-House Counsel.

The law students were asked to prepare four legal briefs in anticipation of the arbitration hearing as counsel for either a Player or a MLB Team.  The information the Player and Team can use during the hearing to present their case is governed by Article VI, Section E, Part 10 (a) & (b) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  The students needed to familiarize themselves with the CBA to understand what arguments should be formed, which is similar to reading and analyzing statutes or regulations in the legal world.   The criteria for arguments were as follows: (1) the quality of the Player’s contribution to his Club during the past season (including but not limited to his overall performance, special qualities of leadership and public appeal); (2) the length and consistency of his career contribution; (3) the record of the Player’s past compensation; (4) comparative baseball salaries; (5) the existence of any physical or mental defects on the part of the Player; and (6) the recent performance record of the Club including but not limited to its League standing and attendance as an indication of public acceptance.  Upon completion of the written briefs that were submitted on behalf of their client (Player or Team), the students were asked to prepare fifteen minute opening remarks on behalf on their client, as well as a seven and a half minute rebuttal.  Along with the opening remarks and rebuttals, the students were to prepare exhibits on behalf of their client.  This was no small task as the students were asked to not only research the player at question, but to do diligent research on several comparable players that went through similar circumstances in arbitration in years past.

The experience is invaluable for a law student.  Rarely does a student get the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills before graduating law school and passing the bar exam.  Gaining this type of practical experience is vital to the growth of KMG Sports and vital to the growth of the participating law students.  Jon and Tyler spent countless hours preparing for this competition and their hard work and dedication will help them in their journey of working in the competitive business of sports and will give them a leg up on the competition.