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 (55-58, 12.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers won 4 of 6 in their series against the Toledo Mud Hens. On the mound, Henry Williams, who I talked about a lot of last week, followed up with another good start this past week. He went 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, striking out 6. Lucas Braun, who was
the centerpiece in the Lane Thomas trade, made one start, going 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, striking out 3. Eli Morgan threw 3.2 scoreless innings in two relief outings, striking out 3. Carlos Duran threw 2 scoreless innings, striking out a pair. Connor Thomas threw 2 scoreless innings.
At the plate, Brett Squires went 10 for 25, smacking 2 doubles and 3 homers, driving in 8 runs. Jacob Berry, who the Royals just got from the Marlins, went 4 for 9 with a pair of doubles and a homer. Berry is a 25-year-old first baseman. The Marlins took him 6th overall in 2022 out of LSU. He has never made it to the big leagues, and is slashing .258/.380/.385 on the season, with 18 stolen bases. Gavin Cross went 7 for 20 with 2 doubles and a homer as well.
The Storm Chasers stay on the road this week, taking on the Columbus Clippers. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (44-62, 23 games back)
The Naturals lost 4 of 6 to the Wichita Wind Surge. At the plate, Spencer Nivens went 9 for 22 with 6 doubles on the week, he also stole 3 bases. Luke Pelzer went 8 for 22, scoring 3 times and stealing 2 bases. Pelzer’s hitting hasn’t slowed since being promoted. Carson Roccaforte went 6 for 23, smacking 2 more homers. Javi Vaz returned from injury and went 2 for 4 with a double.
On the mound, Steven Zobac made one start, going 3 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 3. Unfortunately, he has been placed on the IL once again. Drew Beam made one start, going 6 innings, allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, striking out 3 batters. Brandon Johnson went 4 scoreless innings, over 3 relief appearances, striking out 8 batters. Johnson is a 27-year-old right hander from Mississippi; the Royals took him in the 9th round in 2022. Augusto Mendieta threw 4.1 scoreless innings, striking out 7 in two relief outings. Mendieta is a 21-year-old right hander from Mexico. The Royals signed him when he was 18 years old.
The Naturals hit the road this week, taking on the Springfield Cardinals, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (53-51, 10 games back)
The River Bandits won 4 of 6 against the Peoria Chiefs. At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 6 for 19, smashing 3 homers and a double. He also walked 9 times; he stole 2 more bases and drove in 4 runs. Zion Rose played in 3 games this week in Quad Cities. The Royals 1st overall pick in 2026 went 3 for 12 with 5 stolen bases, including 4 in one game. He also worked 2 walks. Rose played left field in all three games. Chris Brito went 7 for 22 with two doubles and a homer. Derlin Figueroa went 6 for 22 with two homers and a double.
On the mound, Blake Wolters was really impressive, going 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, striking out 11. It was a positive sign for Wolters, who was promoted earlier this season, has struggled in Quad Cities. David Shields went 5 innings, allowing 6 hits, 4 runs (1 earned), striking out 9. Shields has hit a wall lately but bounced back nicely this week.
The River Bandits return home this week to take on the Fort Wayne TinCaps. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Columbia Fireflies (55-51, 9.5 games back)
The Fireflies won 4 of 6 against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. On the mound, the Fireflies threw a combined no-hitter in the second game of a doubleheader. Michael Lombardi threw 4.2 innings, walking 2, striking out 8. Jhon Reyes threw 2.1 innings, striking out 2. Lombardi and Reyes are both 22-year-old right handers. Lombardi was the Royals second round pick in 2025, out of Tulane. He has a 3.17 ERA in 76.2 innings this season, striking out 109. Reyes is from the Dominican Republic, the Royals signed him when he was 19. He has an 8.84 ERA in 38.2 innings this season, striking out 34.
At the plate, Josh Hammond went 11 for 21, with two doubles and three runs driven in. Hammond is hitting .305 on the season. Sean Gamble went 4 for 18 with two doubles and a triple, driving in 6 runs. Camden Johnson the Royals 9th round pick last month out of Oklahoma, went 4 for 12, with 2 runs scored, 3 runs driven in and 3 stolen bases.
The Fireflies hit the road this week, taking on the Wilson Warbirds, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
