It has been a very good start to the season for the KC Royals, who also had a great spring training. They are currently in first place in the American League Central at 10-7 and are coming off an emotional series victory in Boston. Next up, the Royals play a three-game series in Detroit beginning Tuesday night (the Tigers are right behind them in third place).

Triple-A Omaha is currently in second place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division at 10-7 (just a 1/2 game back). The Storm Chasers continue their road trip tonight in Nashville.

Double-A NW Arkansas has the worst record in the Texas League at 5-11. They also have one of the worst pitching staffs in the league. The Naturals continue their road trip tonight with four games in Springfield.

High-A Wilmington is tied for second place in the Northern Division of the Carolina League at 8-8 (just one game back). The Blue Rocks continue their road trip tonight with four games in Salem.

Low-A Lexington is six games back in the South Atlantic League’s Southern Division at 8-10. The Legends head out on the road for three games in Asheville beginning on Tuesday night.

Now for the awards…

» Continue reading “The Inaugural Royals Weekly Awards Post”

Strikeouts have been a problem throughout the KC Royals minor league system over the last two seasons that I have been covering the team for Aerys. With a week of the minor league season in the books, it looks as though the 2013 season will be no different.

With today being a Royals off day, I decided it would be a good time to look at some of the strikeout Kings of the Royals farm system. I will be checking out the strikeouts on every Royals off day.

Despite being the Wilmington Blue Rocks strikeout King in 2012, the Royals decided to promote centerfielder Brett Eibner to Double-A. Well, things have not started out too well for Eibner. Over NW Arkansas’ first five games, he had batted leadoff. He has not collected a hit in 20 at-bats. Eibner has struck out ten times. He also has not played in the Naturals last two games (he came on as a defensive replacement tonight).

But Eibner is not the only Natural to be striking out at a record pace. As a team, they have struck out 53 times in 223 at-bats. That total is not tops in the Texas League, mainly because they have about twenty fewer at-bats than the teams in front of them. They have only walked eight times (which is the least amount in the TL).

It has been a rough full season debut for uber prospect Bubba Starling. The outfielder has just two hits in 26 at-bats with Low-A Lexington. He has struck out 11 times.

Starling is hardly the only Legend to be striking out. As a team, they have struck out 62 times in 228 at-bats. However, that total is not tops in the South Atlantic League, mainly because the Legends have close to 30 less at-bats than teams in front of them. They have walked just 11 times, which is fewest in the SAL.

*On the next Royals off day, I’ll update you on how these two are doing, while also looking at a few more Kings.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks ended their eight-game losing streak and also kept the Winston-Salem Dash from celebrating at Frawley Stadium. The Blue Rocks came back to win 4-3 and kept the Dash two games ahead of Salem for the first half Southern Division title. Brett Eibnerdrove in the tying run with a triple in the 6th inning. Geulin Beltre drove in Eibner with the go ahead run with a single through the drawn in infield. Eibner talks after the game about the triple and not wanting to watch a team celebrate on his turf:

Jason Adam finally pitched well, though he was again beat by the long ball. Cyle Hankerd hit two solo homeruns off him. However, the Blue Rocks comeback came after Adam left the game, with reliever Sam Runion picking up the victory. Check out his postgame interview below, as he talks about hitting Hankerd to load the bases with a changeup:

Omaha and Memphis finished up their series on Tuesday, as both teams scored two runs each in the 3rd and 5th inning, but Omaha got a solo homerun from Jason Bourgeois in the 8th inning for the 5-4 victory.

Bourgeois is finally starting to hit, as he went 3-for-4 to up his average to .202. Tony Abreu went 2-for-4 and Wil Myers hit his 7th homerun in Triple-A (20th overall) off Redbirds prospect Shelby Miller.

Mike Montgomery struggled with his command yet again (103 pitches, 53 strikes) and lasted just 4.2 innings. However, Sean O’Sullivan picked him up with 3.1 shutout innings of relief to pick up the win.

Lefty Ryan Verdugo was promoted to the big leagues to take the place of Will Smith (who was demoted to Omaha). Verdugo is expected to pitch out of the bullpen.

Wilmington beat Carolina 5-2 on the arm of Sugar Ray Marimon. Marimon allowed just three hits (all singles) over seven shutout innings. He walked two while striking out five. All three pitches were working and he had great command. Manager Vance Wilson said after the game that it was his best outing of the year.

Centerfielder Brett Eibner was taken out following the 5th inning. He was 2-for-3 in the game. He cramped up a bit.

After being named to the Midwest League All-Star, pitcher Nick Graffeo was promoted to Wilmington to replace the injured Santiago Garrido. Early diagnosis is that Garrido has a sports hernia and he was really sore today.

Lynchburg lost again in walk-off fashion to Myrtle Beach in ten innings. The Blue Rocks are now just a 1/2 game back.

That was the comment from Wilmington Blue Rocks first baseman Brian Fletcher as he walked through the clubhouse doors following today’s walk-off victory over Myrtle Beach and saw hero Brett Eibner trying to wipe the shaving cream from his face.

Eibner was pied during the postgame interview by IronMan (aka Whit Merrifield) at around the 50 second mark of the video below.

Eibner talks about getting the game-winning hit, having fun (as evidenced by the pie), beating a good pitching team (MB), getting his swing down, and being the team (and player) they should be.

The Omaha Storm Chasers split their doubleheader against Tacoma. They won the first game, 8-5 in comeback fashion. Down 4-0, they scored six runs in the 4th inning to take the lead for good.

Despite giving up two solo homeruns, Storm Chasers starter Vin Mazzaro picked up the win. He allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk over 5.1 innings.

On offense, Omaha collected just nine hits (only one extra base hit), but went 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Jason Bourgeois, Clint Robinson, and David Lough each had two hits. Robinson drove in three runs.

Omaha lost the second game, 4-0. They collected as many hits (3) as they made errors (3).

If you check out the box score, it has Omaha starter Sean O’Sullivan allowing three runs (two earned) over 5.1 innings. It then has no one else allowing a run. It also had the Tacoma reliever allowing a run.

Moving on to NW Arkansas, who lost 4-3 to Arkansas. The Travelers scored two runs each in the 7th and 8th innings to win. Yem Prades‘ 8th inning solo homerun gave the Naturals a short-lived 3-2 lead.

Naturals starter Chris Dwyer was solid, as he allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out five.

On offense, Christian Colon went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and Julio Rodriguez went 2-for-3 in the loss.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks walked off against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans for the second time in three days, as they won 2-1. Brett Eibner drove in the game winner in the bottom of the 9th inning on a shot into the left-centerfield gap (it may have been gone in any other ballpark). You can check out my live blog HERE.

Check out my Facebook page for video of Vance Wilson’s postgame interview and pictures of today’s game. I will also have video up shortly of Eibner’s postgame interview.

Despite a strong start from Brooks Pounders, Kane County lost to Wisconsin, 7-6. All but three of the game’s runs were scored from the 7th inning on.

The Timber Rattlers walked off on Nick Ramirez‘ two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the 9th inning. Kane County reliever Robinson Yambati walked three in that inning to load the bases.

On offense for the Cougars, Justin Trapp, Jorge Bonifacio, Lane Adams, and Michael Antonio each had two hits. Adams hit a two-run homerun in the top of the 9th inning that gave the Cougars a short-loved 6-5 lead (he also scored three runs while driving in three).

Pounders allowed one run on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out eight.

The Omaha Storm Chasers had off on Wednessday, as they traveled back to Omaha to begin an eight-game homestand, beginning with four games against Tacoma.

NW Arkansas collected ten hits en route to their 6-2 win over Tulsa. Eric Duncan had the big day, as he went 2-for-4 with four RBIs, including a two-run homerun.

Ryan Dennick got the start and won his first Double-A game. He pitched five shutout innings and allowed just three hits. He struck out four. He also picked a guy off first base.

The Naturals have now won four in a row.

Jake Odorizzi will join Wil Myers in the promotion to Omaha.

Wilmington starter Greg Billo was cruising along until the 7th inning when he allowed four runs that gave Lynchburg the lead. However the Blue Rocks offense came back and they won 7-5.

In the 8th inning, the Blue Rocks tied the game on a ground out. In the top of the 9th inning, they scored two runs on a Brett Eibner triple.

The Blue Rocks bullpen (Jon Keck and Nick Rogers) only allowed two baserunners (via two walks) over 2.1 innings.

Both manager Vance Wilson and pitching coach Steve Luebber were ejected in the 8th inning (on separate calls).

A four-run 6th inning gave Kane County the 5-3 victory over Cedar Rapids. In that inning, Jorge Bonifacio hit a two-run homerun (3-for-4 with two runs scored).

Aaron Brooks picked up the win, as he allowed three runs on five hits and a walk over seven innings. He allowed two solo homeruns. Malcom Culver picked up his first save with two scoreless innings of relief. He allowed one hit while striking out three.

The Cougars have now won four in a row.

All four of the KC Royals full season minor league affiliates won on Friday.

Omaha had two 3-run innings en route to winning the series finale at Sacramento, 7-1. Terry Evans accounted for the three runs in the 2nd inning with a three-run homerun.

Tony Abreu went 2-for-4 with a solo homerun. Max Ramirez went 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Kevin Kouzmanoff went 2-for-4.

The offensive outburst made a winner of Will Smith, who allowed just one run on six hits over seven innings. He struck out six. Tommy Hottovy finished off the Rivercats with two scoreless innings of relief. He struck out four.

One day after a no-hitter, NW Arkansas received another stellar pitching performance, this time from Jake Odorizzi. He allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings en route to the Naturals 8-2 win over Springfield. Odorizzi struck out seven.

Patrick Keating pitched two perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts.

The Naturals also had two 3-run innings. In the 5th inning, John Whittleman hit a three-run homerun (three of his four RBIs). Christian Colon went 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Carlo Testa went 2-for-4.

A five-run outburst in the 5th inning gave Wilmington the 6-5 win at Frederick. In that inning, Brett Eibner hit a grand slam.

Whit Merrifield led off the game with a solo homerun (one of his two hits). The offensive outburst made a winner of Greg Billo, who allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over six innings (he allowed two homeruns).

The wild game of the night went to Kane County, as they scored three runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to beat Clinton, 8-7. Orlando Calixte hit a walk-off solo homerun with two outs (and he didn’t make an error).

The Cougars had 15 hits. The 2-5 hitters (Daniel Mateo, Jorge Bonifacio, Lane Adams, Michael Antonio, and Calixte) went 13-for-23 with eight runs scored and eight RBIs.

All of the KC Royals affiliates won on Saturday (including the Royals)!

After a crazy 9th inning that sent the game into extra innings, Johnny Giavotella hit a walk off homerun to send the Omaha fans happy with a 10-9 win. Gio went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs.

Oklahoma City scored four runs in the top of the 9th inning after Omaha scored two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Storm Chasers then scored two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to send the game to the tenth. Max Ramirez and Anthony Seratelli hit solo homeruns in the 9th inning (Ramirez went 2-for-4 with three RBIs).

In the pitcher’s duel for NW Arkansas and Tulsa, the Naturals got the best performance in their 2-1 victory. Jake Odorizzi allowed just one run (a solo homerun to Josh Rutledge) over 7.1 innings. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out 11.

The Naturals collected nine hits. John Whittleman went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Carlo Testa went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base.

Down 2-0, Wilmington scored three runs in the 2nd inning and another in the 3rd inning and never looked back in their 8-3 win at Potomac.

Brian Fletcher went 4-for-5 with a run scored. Brett Eibner went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs. He hit his fourth homerun of the season.

Greg Billo got the win, as he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out five. The Blue Rocks bullpen did not allow a run or walk over the final 3.1 innings. Nick Rogers allowed one hit while striking out three over two shutout innings.

Kane County scored two runs each over the final two innings en route to their 7-4 victory over Beloit. Brooks Pounders earned the victory despite blowing the save. He allowed three runs (one earned) over three innings. Orlando Calixte‘s 17th error, a wild pitch, and all three hits Pounders allowed came in the 6th inning.

Santiago Garrido got the no decision, despite allowing an unearned run on five hits over five innings. He struck out four.

Runey Davis hit a two-run homerun (he went 2-for-2) and Daniel Mateo went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Omaha beat Albuquerque, 14-10, but it took 13 innings to complete. In the top of the 13 inning, Terry Evans hit a three-run homerun (it was his only at-bat of the game). Two batters later, Clint Robinson hit a two-run homerun to give the Storm Chasers a 14-9 lead.

Tommy Hottovy took the mound in the bottom of the inning and gave up a Tim Federowicz RBI triple before finishing off the Isotopes. Roman Colon earned the win after pitching three scoreless innings of relief. He allowed just one hit while striking out two.

Offensively for Omaha, Robinson, Kevin Kouzmanoff, and David Lough each collected two hits and two runs scored. Max Ramirez went 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two walks.

After scoring six runs in the 7th inning and scoring single runs in the 8th and 9th innings to take a 9-7 lead, Francisley Bueno allowed two runs in the bottom of the 9th inning to allow Albuquerque to tie the game and send it to extra innings. One of the runs was unearned and it was Bueno’s third inning of work.

Then the offense went to work in the top of the 13th inning against Wil Ledezma.

Omaha suffered through another poor outing from Mike Montgomery, who allowed five runs on seven hits and four walks over just 3.1 innings. He only struck out two.

The NW Arkansas Naturals took a 9-7 win over Corpus Christi, as they pounded out 14 hits. After a tough start by Justin Marks (4+IP, 6H, 7R, 6ER, 4BB, 4K), the Naturals bullpen pitched five shutout innings (Kendal Volz and Blaine Hardy). Volz did allow two of Marks’ runs to score.

With the game tied at 7-7, Christian Colon hit a solo homerun in the bottom of the 6th inning to give the Naturals the lead. Colon went 2-for-4. Wil Myers hit a three-run homerun in the first inning en route to a five RBI performance (a career-high). He also went 4-for-5.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks attempted another 9th inning comeback, but fell to the visiting Frederick Keys, 3-2. Brett Eibner tripled to lead off the inning. After a strikeout, Geulin Beltre singled him home. However, that was all the Blue Rocks would get.

The Blue Rocks scored in the very first inning and had a chance to blow the game open, but Beltre grounded out with the bases loaded to end the bottom of the first inning.

Yordano Ventura took the loss, as he allowed two runs on three hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out six. Ryan Dennick followed (4IP, 4H, 1R, 1BB, 5K). Ventura actually got into the 4th inning and Dennick allowed one of his inherited runners to score. Nick Rogers pitched two perfect innings of relief.

The Blue Rocks had more hits than the Keys (8-7), but were just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and they struck out nine times. Eibner and Whit Merrifield each had two hits.

The Kane County Cougars scored five runs over the first two innings and received a stellar starting performance from Santiago Garrido, as they defeated the Burlington Bees 6-2. Garrido allowed just one run on one hit and two walks over five innings. He struck out four.

The Cougars pounded out 11 hits, but only Lane Adams (2-for-5) and Henry Moreno (3-for-4) collected multi-hit games. Moreno had three RBIs.