This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (56-61, 14.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers lost 3 of 4 to the Columbus Clippers, with two games being rained out. At the plate, Jack Pineda went 7 for 15, with 6 doubles and 6 runs driven in. Matthew Lugo went 6 for 16, with three doubles and a triple. Vinnie Pasquantino, who is on rehab assignment, went 3 for 16, with a double,
striking out 3 times. Overall, through the 4-game set, it was a tough week at the dish for the Storm Chasers.
On the mound, Lucas Braun was really good again. He went 6 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, striking out 7. I would like to see him get called up before the season is over and start a time or two. Luke Little threw a scoreless inning, striking out the side. Carlos Duran threw a scoreless inning this week as well. It’s a mixed bag on some of the pitchers the Royals recently acquired, but there are definitely some positives. The Storm Chasers will be without Gavin Cross, who was placed on the Injured List last week. He was batting .333/.384/.621 with 11 home runs in his last 45 games.
The Storm Chasers return home this week, taking on the Rochester Red Wings, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (47-65, 25 games back)
The Naturals split their six-game series with the Springfield Cardinals. On the mound, Hunter Owen looked really good in his lone start of the week, going 7 innings, allowing 1 hit, no runs, walking three and striking out 12 batters. Owen is a 24-year-old left hander, the Royals drafted him in the 4th round out of Vanderbilt in 2023. It hasn’t been the best year in Double-A for Owen, but it was good to see him dominate this week. Frank Mozzicato had two scoreless relief outings, striking out 6 in 2.2 innings. His fastball velocity is up too, so maybe they found something? Grant Gambrell threw 5 innings of 1 run ball in his lone start of the week. Gambrell is a 28-year-old right hander, the Royals took him in the 3rd round in 2019 out of Oregon State. The Royals traded him away in 2021, but he made his way back to the organization in July this year.
At the plate, Carson Roccaforte went 8 for 26, with two doubles and three homers, bringing his season total up to 30 now. Luke Pelzer, who has really impressed me this year, went 6 for 24, with two doubles and a triple. Maikel Garcia, who is on a rehab assignment, went 4 for 10, with a double, 3 walks and 5 runs scored. Justin Johnson was 4 for 14, smacking 3 homers.
The Naturals stay on the road this week, taking on the San Antonio Missions. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (58-51, 6.5 games back)
The River Bandits swept the 5-game series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, with a game being rained out. At the plate, Derlin Figueroa went 6 for 17, with two homers and a double. Figueroa is up to 25 homers on the season now. Zion Rose went 4 for 14, with a double and 4 runs driven in. Fellow new guy, Ben North, went 3 for 10, with two homers.
On the mound, Kendry Chourio made a start, after a couple weeks off. Chourio looked rusty, going 3 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, striking out 2. David Shields had a really good start, going 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, walking 1 and striking out 6.
The River Bandits hit the road this week to take on the Dayton Dragons. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Columbia Fireflies (56-56, 10.5 games back)
The Fireflies lost 5 of 6 in their series against the Wilson Warbirds. On the mound, Michael Braswell III, who just recently got to Columbia from the ACL, went 3.1 innings, allowing 1 hit, walking 1 and striking out a pair. Braswell is a 23-year-old right hander out of LSU. Jesus Oliveira went 2 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, walking 4 and striking out 3. Oliveria also just recently got to Columbia from the ACL, he’s a 21-year-old right hander from Venezuela. The Royals signed him when he was 18 years old. Jose Gutierrez went 6 innings, allowing 8 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), striking out 3 in his lone start of the week. Darwin Rodriguez threw 6 innings, allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, walking 2 and striking out 5 in his lone start of the week.
At the plate, Yandel Ricardo posted a good week, going 6 for 17, with a double, 3 runs driven in and 4 stolen bases. Camden Johnson went 5 for 16, with a triple. Henry Ramos went 6 for 22, with two triples and a homer. Ramos is a 21-year-old outfielder from the Dominican Republic. The Royals signed him at age 17. On the season, Ramos is slashing .272/.345/.401 with 7 homers and 18 stolen bases.
The Fireflies return home this week to take on the Augusta GreenJackets, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday, with a doubleheader on Tuesday night.
