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 (4-5, 4 games back)
After getting swept opening weekend, the Storm Chasers took 4 of 6 against the Buffalo Bisons. Eric Cerantola had a great week, recording three saves during the series. The 25-year-old from Montreal is on the 40-man roster and could be getting a look soon, especially with how taxed the Royals
bullpen is currently. The 6’5 right hander has thrown 4.1 scoreless innings so far, while giving up three hits, one walk and striking out seven. Cerantola has a good fastball/slider combination. Don’t be surprised if he gets a big league look soon.
In other Omaha news, Mason Black also picked up a save, which is intriguing because he’s mainly been a starter in his career. In fact, in his four appearances so far, all have been in relief. Black has looked effective in his 6.2 innings so far. Mitch Spence gave up just one unearned run and no walks in five innings in his season debut.
At the plate, Michael Massey was on a rehab assignment. The second baseman went 3-for-12 with a homer and a pair of strikeouts. He got reinstated from the IL yesterday and joined the big league club with Nick Loftin sent down in his place. Catcher Luca Tresh was 6-for-16 (.375) with four doubles. Kameron Misner was 5-for-14 (.357) with four walks.
The Storm Chasers are on the road, against the Iowa Cubs this week, Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2-1, 1 game back)
The Naturals were in Wichita this past weekend, where they were able to take two of three. In the second game of the series on Friday, Frank Mozzicato had a good start to the 2026 campaign. The lefty went 4 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, walking 2 and striking out 4. It was a welcome sign to see after the 22-year-old mightily struggled in AA last season.
Brett Squires had a good series, going 4-for-12, with a home run and 6 runs batted in. The third baseman is 26-years old but has progressed through the minors nicely since his college career at Oklahoma concluded. If some of the veteran guys like Abraham Toro or Josh Rojas move on from Omaha, don’t be surprised if he gets the promotion.
The Naturals will be home this week for the first time, to take on the Amarillo Sod Poodles, the Diamondbacks AA affiliate. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (0-0, 0.5 game back)
The entire River Bandits’ series in South Bend was rained out last week, so they have yet to play a game. They will be home for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Tuesday through Sunday. The Timber Rattlers are the Brewers’ High-A affiliate.
As I mentioned last week, two top names to keep an eye on are right hander Drew Beam and catcher Blake Mitchell. Lefty David Shields is also someone to keep tabs on.
Columbia Fireflies (1-2, 2 games back)
The Fireflies lost a series on the road to the Hickory Crawdads last week. Kendry Chourio went 3 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, and a walk while striking out 4 in his season debut. Blake Wolters, the Royals’ second-round pick in 2023, started game two and went 4.1 innings, allowing one walk and one hit, while striking out three.
At the plate, shortstop Josh Hammond, the 28th overall pick in last year’s draft was 2-for-11 at the dish. He also walked once and stole a base, while striking out four times. Sean Gamble, who the Royals took 23rd overall last season, was 2-14. The outfielder did hit a home run but also struck out five times.
The Fireflies are home for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans this week, Tuesday through Sunday. The Pelicans are the Cubs Low-A affiliate.
