The KC Royals started the week by winning two of three out in LA, but then were swept in Oakland over the weekend. So, they went 2-4 as they are in Houston for three games starting tonight. They are four games out of first place in the American League Central, behind the hot Cleveland Indians (and Detroit).

Omaha split their most recent series at home versus Las Vegas and went 2-4 over the week. The Storm Chasers are still in second place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division at 21-20. They begin a four-game home series tonight against Tuscon.

NW Arkansas won just one game last week (1-6), which dropped them further back in the Texas League’s North Division (ten games back). The Naturals are the worst team in the league and finished their home series with Tulsa this afternoon with a loss. With an off day tomorrow, they head to Corpus Christi and San Antonio for three games each.

Wilmington went 3-4 last week. The Blue Rocks are 20-23 overall, four games back in the Northern Division of the Carolina League. They have today off before welcoming first place Lynchburg to town for three games beginning on Tuesday night.

Lexington went 5-2, the only Royals affiliate to have a winning record last week. However, the Legends are still in sixth place in the Southern Division of the South Atlantic League (just 3.5 games back). They return home for three games beginning tonight against Asheville.

Now to the awards…

Hitter of the Week

Majors: It is a tie between Billy Butler and Alex Gordon. Both went exactly 12-for-25 (.480) in six games. They both also hit three doubles. Butler drove in ten runs. Gordon scored five runs.

Minors: Alex Hudak, Wilmington. He went 7-for-20 (.350) with three doubles, a homerun, and four RBIs. One of the newest Blue Rocks had his five-game hitting streak come to an end on Sunday.

Honorable Mention: Irving Falu, Omaha. He went 7-for-21 (.333) with a double, two triples, and three runs scored.

» Continue reading “Royals Weekly Awards”

On Tuesday night, the Dominican Republic became the first team in World Baseball Classic history to go undefeated in the tournament, as they beat Puerto Rico in the WBC finals, 3-0.

The Dominicans took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back. DR starter Samuel Deduno was great over five innings and the stingy DR bullpen did what they did every night in the tourney, put up zeroes. It culminated with closer Fernando Rodney picking up another save and shooting off yet another arrow.

Miguel Tejada didn’t start at third base, but came on in the 6th inning to replace Hanley Ramirez (who jammed his thumb). He went 0-for-2 at the plate and committed and error in the ninth. He did however catch a pop up and went crashing to the ground. He looked visibly uncomfortable the rest of the night (fingers crossed that he is okay).

Kelvin Herrera could not pitch because he threw over 30 pitches the night before against the Netherlands in the semifinals. That didn’t stop him from celebrating every big moment in the game.

Despite not doing anything offensively for Puerto Rico, second baseman Irving Falu played great on defense. He regularly received praise from the MLB Network analysts. He’ll return to Surprise to compete for a utility spot, but mainly will be fighting for playing time in Triple-A.

Puerto Rico shocked the world by advancing to the World Baseball Classic finals (set for Tuesday night at 8pm ET on MLB Network).

First, they advanced out of Pool C over Venezuela with the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico again advanced with the DR to the semifinals with a win over the USA.

Then on Sunday night in San Francisco (after playing in Miami on Saturday), they upset two-time WBC champ Japan, 3-1.

Former KC Royals were a huge reason why.

Mario Santiago, who pitched in the Royals farm system until 2011, started and was brilliant until being taken out as a precaution with elbow soreness. He didn’t allow a hit until the fourth. He only allowed two hits over 4.1 scoreless innings.

Mike Aviles drove in the first run in the first inning on a single to centerfield. That scored current Royal minor leaguer Irving Falu, who walked. Falu has been playing GREAT defense at second base.

Aviles picked up another hit in the 7th inning and scored on Alex Rios’ two-run home run that put Puerto Rico up 3-0. Carlos Beltran walked in the first and singled in the sixth.

In the second WBC semifinal, it was current Royals who had big parts to the victory for the Dominican Republic.

Miguel Tejada singled and scored the Dominican Republic’s fourth run in the 5th inning.

In the sixth, Kelvin Herrera entered in relief of starter Edinson Volquez after the Dominican Republic had just taken a 4-1 lead. Herrera allowed a two out double, but struck out Andruw Jones to end the inning. In the seventh, he struck out the first batter he faced on three pitches. With two outs, Herrera walked a batter before striking out the next to end the inning (and end his chance of pitching in the finals).

The DR enacted revenge against the Netherlands in 2013, the team who beat them twice in 2009. Can the DR beat Puerto Rico for the third time? Or can Puerto Rico steal a victory and win the whole thing?

Whoever wins, at least one current Royal will take home the WBC trophy.

The Caribbean Series begins on February 1st, as the winners of the four major winter leagues (Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela) face off for supremacy. Escogido will be representing the DR, Obregon will be representing Mexico, Caguas will be representing Puerto Rico, and Lara will be representing Venezuela.

Four current KC Royals (and minor leaguers) were a part of getting their winter league team to the Caribbean Series.

Starter Luis Mendoza (who will be pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic) made one start in the Mexican Pacific League finals. It came in Game 1 and he picked up the win. Mendoza allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out 11 and threw 64 of his 103 pitches for strikes. He allowed a solo homerun to former Royal Yuniesky Betancourt in front of over 17,000 fans.

Outfielder Paulo Orlando is also getting geared up for the WBC, but he will be playing for upstart Brazil. He helped Lara win the Venezuelan Winter League title. Orlando played centerfield, batted second, and hit .307 in the postseason (5-for-23 in the finals with seven strikeouts).

Jose Jimenez is Orlando’s teammate with Lara. In their first game, he pitched a perfect 1/3 of an inning. He picked up a hold the next day with 1/3 of an inning. Jimenez pitched another 1/3 of an inning in their Game Four loss.

The Puerto Rican League finals was a battle between Mayaguez and Caguas and a battle between Royals utility fielders Irving Falu and Rey Navarro. Navarro hit just .184 (5-for-26 in the finals) for champion Caguas while playing second base and batting second. Falu hit .229 (6-for-27 in the finals) while playing second base and batting leadoff for Mayaguez.

For more on the Caribbean Series, click HERE.

*The answer to Tuesday’s trivia answer is: SEVEN. The inductees were Whitey Herzog (1975-1979), George Brett (1973-1993), Orlando Cepeda (1974), Joe Gordon, (1969), Harmon Killebrew (1075), Bob Lemon (1970-1972), and Gaylord Perry (1983).

The provisional rosters for the World Baseball Classic were released this afternoon and there are quite a few current and former KC Royals on those rosters.

I wrote earlier about lefty reliever Tim Collins being a member of Team USA.

It was rumored that lefty starter Bruce Chen might join Team China. Well, it looks as though the crafty veteran will be anchoring the Chinese staff in the WBC. I am surprised that he is going to be leaving the Royals early in spring training when he is going to be in a tight battle for the final rotation spot. Their pool, Pool A, begins play on March 2nd, but China starts play on the third against host Japan.

Pitchers are only allowed to throw 65 pitches in the first round of pool play, so if Chen can be economical, he could realistically go five or six innings (unless he gets ripped).

Joining Chen in Pool A is Royals minor leaguer Paulo Orlando. The outfielder was a member of the surprise Brazilian team that upset Panama in the WBC Qualifier. He will be with Brazil in their first WBC when they begin play on March 2nd against host Japan. As of right now, Brazil’s lone big leaguer, catcher Yan Gomes, who played in the qualifier, is not on the roster (but they only have one catcher listed on their roster).

The Netherlands shocked the world in 2009 and look to do the same in 2013 in Pool B with some players with a little more name recognition (like Jair Jurrjens, Andruw Jones, Andrelton Simmons, and Jurickson Profar). Pitcher JC Sulbaran, who the Royals received from Cincinnati for Jonathan Broxton, is a member of the Netherlands pitching staff.

I am most looking forward to seeing some of the veteran Netherlands players, like Robbie Cordemans and Yurendell de Caster, along with some of the prospect guys like Jonathan Schoop, Xander Bogaerts, and Spencer Kieboom.

The Netherlands begin pool play on March 2nd against Korea in Taiwan.

Former Royal Justin Huber is yet again a member of the Australian team that is looking to use some of that explosive offensive (over .300 average in 2009) to make it out of the pool.

Huber will be joined with other veterans Luke Hughes, Peter Moylan, and Brad Harman. They also have some young prospects like Stefan Welch, James Beresford, and Clayton Tanner.

» Continue reading “WBC Rosters Full of Royals”

I hope you all enjoyed your New Year’s and made it home safely. It is time for another KC Royals winter league update.

Luis Mendoza

The Mexican Pacific League‘s regular season came to an end on December 30th. Playoffs are underway, as Hermosillo (16-17) faces Culiacan (21-10), Obregon (16-16) faces Guasave (16-16), and Mazatlan (16-16) faces Mexicali (18-14). All of those series begin tonight.

For the playoff push, Obregon has two current Royals. Outfielder Willy Taveras played in three games last week. He went 1-for-9 with an RBI and three strikeouts. Pitcher Luis Mendoza made one start last week in his preparation for a spot on the Royals Opening Day roster. Over five innings, he allowed four runs on five hits, three walks, and a hit batter. He did strike out three.

The round robin playoffs are underway in the Dominican Winter League. Currently, Aguilas and Toros are tied for first place at 3-1. Escogido follows with a 2-2 record and Estrellas has yet to win in the playoffs (0-4). None of the Royals playing in the DWL played in a game last week.

The round robin playoffs begin tonight in the Venezuelan Winter League. Five teams have advanced to the playoffs: Magallanes (36-27), Zulia (35-28), Caribes (35-28), Caracas (35-28), and Lara (34-29).

Yender Caramo was one of the newest Royals to begin play in winter ball last week. He pitched in two games for first place Magallanes. Over 1.1 innings, he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one.

Luis Durango played in four games last week for Caribes. He went just 2-for-14 (.143) with a double and two RBIs. He walked three times and stole two bases while striking out twice.

Juan Gutierrez pitched in one game last week for Caracas. In his one inning of work, he picked up his league-leading 14th save. He walked just one in that inning. Guillermo Moscoso made one start last week. Over four innings, he allowed two runs on three hits (including a homerun) and three walks while striking out two.

Alcides Escobar played in three games for Lara and committed an error. He went 6-for-13 (.462) with two doubles, a triple, and three RBIs. He struck out twice, stole a base, and was caught stealing. Paulo Orlando played in four games. He went 4-for-16 (.250) with a double, an RBI, and four strikeouts. Jose Jimenez pitched in two games, but did not record an inning. He allowed a run on a walk.

The winter league season came to an end for a few in the VWL.

Salvador Perez went 0-for-4 in one game for La Guaira (29-33). He did drive in a run and walked once. Anthony Ortega pitched in one game. Over two innings, he struck out five.

Max Ramirez played in three games for Margarita (23-38). He went 3-for-10 with a walk and two strikeouts.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

Another week has gone by in the winter leagues. Ten KC Royals players have begun play, while there is an update on the newest Royals player in winter ball.

The one player I am most jealous of with his choice of winter league location is outfielder Carlo Testa. He began play last week in Australia with the Melbourne Aces. In three games, he went 2-for-11 (.182) with two walks, two runs scored, and a stolen base. He did strike out three times.

The other winter league that got started last week was the Puerto Rican League, where the Royals have four players participating.

Christian Colon played in three games last week for Leones de Ponce, two at shortstop and one at second base. He went 3-for-13 (.231) with two runs scored. His teammate is Cesar Ogando, who was drafted by the Royals in 2011. In his one game, he pitched two perfect innings of relief while striking out two.

There is also a Royals duo with Indios de Mayaguez. Irving Falu played in four games last week, all at second base. He went 3-for-15 (.200) with two doubles. He scored three runs and drove in two. He walked twice and struck out once, while stealing a base. Lefty Ryan Dennick made one start. Over 3.1 scoreless innings, he allowed four hits and one walk while striking out four.

» Continue reading “Royals Winter League Update”

The KC Royals staved off elimination for another day, as they beat the visiting Cleveland Indians, 5-3.

In the very first inning, Jarrod Dyson used his wheels to produce a run. He walked to leadoff and stole second base. He then scored on Alcides Escobar‘s double. After Indians starter Ubaldo Jimenez struck out Alex Gordon, Billy Butler drove in Escobar with a single.

Jimenez never really settled down, but the Royals couldn’t put him and the Indians away. The kicker was Brayan Pena‘s leadoff triple in the bottom of the 4th inning, but he was left standing on third base.

Will Smith

After rookie Thomas Neal led off the 5th inning with a single, fellow rookie Cord Phelps homered to tie the game at 2-2. It was the second of Phelps‘ career. After a single by Shin-Soo Choo brought a coaching visit, Royals starter Will Smith induced a double play before getting out of the inning.

The Royals came right back to retake the lead in an UGLY inning for the Indians. With Jimenez still on the mound, the Royals worked two walks around a fly out. After a Jeff Francoeur single loaded the bases, Jimenez was gone and in came Chris Seddon.

Eric Hosmer grounded to third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall, who’s throw home pulled catcher Carlos Santana off home plate (or did it?) and everyone was ruled safe (and the run scored). Pena hit a sac fly to put another run on the board and Irving Falu singled to give the Royals a 5-2 lead.

That was it for Seddon and in came Frank Herrmann, who threw just two pitches before Falu was thrown out trying to steal second base (with a runner on third).

All-in-all, it was a solid start by Smith. He scattered eight hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out five in picking up his sixth win of the season.

Aaron Crow allowed an unearned run in the 8th inning when Jason Bourgeois missed a fly ball in center field (which scored Santana from first base).

Kelvin Herrera picked up his second save of the season (if Greg Holland isn’t pitching every day, Herrera is). It could have been eventful, considering he allowed a single and a walk, but Frenchy threw out Choo trying to stretch a single into a double.

On offense for the Royals, Butler picked up three hits (two doubles) and Falu collected two hits. They went just 4-for-16 with runners in scoring position.

*DON’T FORGET: Jake Odorizzi will be making his big league debut on Sunday afternoon against the Indians. Go to the park and support him!

The KC Royals continued their winning ways as they held on to beat the worst team in the American League, the Cleveland Indians. The Royals won 6-3.

The game got a little testy late, as three batters were hit and there is bad blood between the two teams, even if Jonathan Sanchez is no longer a Royal. And yes, Shin-Soo Choo was hit yet again.

Anyway, to the scoring.

The Royals got on the board first against Indians starter Justin Masterson. Brayan Pena drove in a run in the 2nd inning with a single and two batters later, Irving Falu drove in another run with a single. Unfortunately, Falu was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double.

Luis Mendoza had base runners in every inning, but escaped one jam after another. The Indians left the bases loaded in the very first inning.

He gave up a run in the top of the third, as Michael Brantley delivered a two out RBI single. However, the Royals got the run right back on Mike Moustakas‘ sac fly.

Moose would drive in another run in the 5th inning on a ground out with the bases loaded. That was the only run the Royals would score in that inning.

Mendoza‘s night ended after allowing a leadoff single to Ezequiel Carrera in the 7th inning. Lefty Tim Collins entered and hit Choo. After recording the next two outs (a lefty and a switch-hitter), Collins allowed a two-run single to another switch-hitter, Carlos Santana, to cut the Royals lead to 4-3.

The Royals tacked on two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Eric Hosmer drove in one with a sac fly and Pena followed with an RBI double. That brought the game’s final hit batter, David Lough, following the Royals‘ final hit of the game.

Despite pitching what seems like every game, closer Greg Holland retired the Indians in order in the top of the 9th inning. He needed just seven pitches (six strikes) to get through the middle of the Indians order.

The Royals offense got some production from two guys who don’t play very much: Pena and Falu. The two both collected two hits each and combined to score two runs and drive in three.

*I wonder when Ned Yost is going to use some of those guys from Triple-A Omaha that were called up when the Pacific Coast League championship ended. It would be nice to see Nate Adcock or Tommy Hottovy get some work instead of the same relievers every night.

I know I’m a day late from my normal weekly awards posting, but with the minor league regular season ending on Labor Day, I figured I’d push it back a day to cover everything. It wasn’t a great ending for any team.

The KC Royals went 4-4 over the last eight days and still comfortably sit in third place in the American League Central (60-74). They continue their four-game series tonight at home against Texas.

Omaha finished the regular season going 3-5. It wasn’t a great final month for the Storm Chasers who had a huge lead in the American Northern Division for most of the year (finished with an 83-61 record). They begin their quest for a second straight Pacific Coast League title on Wednesday night in Omaha against Albuquerque who they just lost three of four to. Jake Odorizzi will start the playoff opener against the Isotopes’ Fernando Nieve (a former big leaguer).

NW Arkansas went just 2-6 over the final eight games to finish the second half at a disappointing 21-48. After missing out on the Texas League’s North Division’s first half title by three games, they completely fell apart in the second half.

Wilmington went 5-2 over their last eight days, including clinching the Northern Division second half title on Thursday. The Blue Rocks ended the Carolina League’s second half at 37-33. They start their quest at their first Mills Cup trophy since 1999 on Wednesday night at home against Lynchburg. Brooks Pounders will face CL Pitcher of the Year Gus Schlosser.

Kane County went just 2-6 in their final eight games and found themselves on the outside looking in in terms of a Midwest League playoff spot. The Cougars finished the second half with a 34-36 record.

Burlington blew away their division in the Appalachian League and reached the Appy League finals (41-27). Each of the three games needed extra innings to name a victor. The Royals lost the title to Elizabethton on a 12th inning walk-off grand slam.

Idaho Falls was eliminated from the Pioneer League playoffs with a 16-19 second half record (33-40 overall record). The Chukars finish their regular season on September 6th (they’ve lost seven of their last nine games).

Hitters of the Week

Majors: Even though David Lough played in just three games last week, it was a memorable three games. He made his Major League debut on Saturday and batted leadoff in all three games. He has a hit in every game and went 5-for-14 (.357) with four runs scored.

Minors: Wil Myers, Omaha. It is fitting that Omaha’s Player of the Year takes this honor in the final award posting of the minor league regular season. He is in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak and has gotten hot right when the Storm Chasers are heading to the postseason.

Myers was 13-for-33 (.394) over his last eight games. He scored five runs and drove in six. He fell a homerun short of the Minor League Baseball title (one behind Double-A Reading’s Darin Ruf).

Honorable Mention: Irving Falu, Omaha. He is also in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak. He was 14-for-32 (.438) with five runs scored and five RBIs. Falu finished the season with the seventh best batting average (.329) in the PCL.

» Continue reading “Royals Blue Aid Weekly Awards”