Omaha lost the first game of their doubleheader against Iowa, 4-1. The Cubs scored two runs in the top of the 7th inning to add some insurance.

The Storm Chasers had just five hits, three coming from Yuniesky Betancourt, who is on a rehab assignment.

Omaha took the second game, 10-1. Mike Montgomery pitched a complete game, as he allowed just one run on two hits and three walks over his seven innings. He allowed a solo homerun to Brett Jackson in the 6th inning.

In the Storm Chasers’ five-run 2nd inning, Kurt Mertins hit a two-run homerun and Wil Myers hit a three-run bomb. Mertins had two hits and Myers finished with three hits. Derrick Robinson also had two hits.

A three-run bottom of the 3rd inning held up, as Midland beat NW Arkansas, 3-2. The Naturals had five hits, but went just 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

In the top of the 9th inning, Sharlon Schoop singled to lead off the inning, but Carlo Testa grounded into a double play. Nick Van Stratten followed with a single and moved up to second base on a wild pitch. However, Julio Rodriguez grounded out to end the game.

Elisaul Pimentel took the loss, as he allowed three runs on four hits and two walks over 6.1 innings. He struck out six. The two walks and two of the hits came in the 3rd inning.

A five-run bottom of the 8th inning after Wilmington had tied the game in the top half of the inning gave Carolina a 7-2 victory. That loss ended a disappointing road trip for the Blue Rocks, as they lost 5-of-7.

The Blue Rocks recorded their runs via solo homeruns from Brett Eibner and Whit Merrifield.

The five-run 8th inning negated the solid start from Sugar Ray Marimon. He allowed two runs on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out eight.

Kane County and Clinton were postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday.

The Omaha Storm Chasers began their trip to Nashville with a late game loss, 4-3. It was actually a walk-off as Logan Schafer doubled in the game winner with two outs against Jeremy Jeffress.

Mike Montgomery started for Omaha and allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings. In the loss, Max Ramirez and Kevin Kouzmanoff each went 2-for-4.

NW Arkansas ended up pounding Arkansas, 12-2. The Naturals led 5-0 before the Travelers scored two runs in the top of the 8th inning. The Naturals responded with seven runs in the bottom of the inning.

Felipe Paulino made another rehab start with the Naturals and pitched 6.1 scoreless innings. He allowed four hits while striking out five.

Carlo Testa hit two homeruns, scored three runs, and drove in three. Paulo Orlando went 3-for-5 in the win.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks ended their five-game losing streak as they beat visiting Salem, 8-3. They ended the Red Sox’ five-game winning streak. You can check out my live post HERE. It was a nine-inning contest that lasted three hours and 34 minutes. I’ll have video, postgame comments from manager Vance Wilson and right fielder Geulin Beltre, and photos up tomorrow.

Kane County got the first run, but Great Lakes got the last laugh, as the Loons won 6-1. The Loons pounded out 13 hits to just four for the Cougars.

The game featured zero walks and a two-plus hour rain delay, with a 44 degree starting temperature.

Justin Trapp and Daniel Mateo each had doubles in the loss. Trapp drove in the Cougars’ lone run in the 3rd inning.

Mike Montgomery finally put together a solid start, as the Omaha Storm Chasers beat Round Rock, 7-2. Montgomery allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks over seven innings. He struck out seven.

Omaha had 11 hits, but only went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. However, they hit three homeruns that accounted for four of their runs.

Tony Abreu went 3-for-5 with a three-run homerun. Cody Clark went 3-for-3 with a solo homerun. Johnny Giavotella went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

The NW Arkansas Naturals had a five-run first inning, but Arkansas came back with a five-run inning of their own, in the bottom of the 9th inning to win 6-5. The combination of Patrick Keating and Kendal Volz blew it for the Naturals. Volz intentionally walked Jean Segura to load the bases with one out, but he then walked Adam Heether for the game winner. The Travelers collected four hits, three walks, a sac fly, and the Naturals made an error in the 9th inning.

Four of the Naturals eight hits, along with two walks, came in that first inning. The big hit came via Yem Prades, who hit a bases-clearing double.

Noel Arguelles started and allowed one run on nine hits over 5.2 innings. He did not walk a batter while striking out one. Michael Mariot pitched the next 2.1 shutout innings.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks had plenty of chances to score, but poor base-running (two pickoffs and one caught stealing), a double play ball, and going just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position led to a 3-2 loss at Winston-Salem. They couldn’t capitalize on seven hits, seven walks, and two Dash errors.

The Blue Rocks finally tied the score in the top of the 6th inning. The run scored on a wild pitch with the bases loaded, but they could not get another across. In the bottom of the same inning, Ryan Dennick came on in relief of Yordano Ventura. The first batter he faced, Brady Shoemaker, hit a homerun to give the Dash the lead (it was his second of the game).

Ventura allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out eight. Dennick allowed that one run on four hits over three innings. Roman Hernandez and Geulin Beltre each collected two hits in the loss.

The Kane County Cougars used a four-run 8th inning to come back to beat Fort Wayne, 8-5. In that 8th inning, the Cougars put together four singles, a walk, and a bases-clearing triple from Daniel Mateo.

Every Cougars starter had at least one hit, as they collected 14 of them. They stole five bases. Somehow they overcame five errors.

Brooks Pounders got the start and allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits over four innings. He struck out six. Santiago Garrido earned the win, as he allowed one unearned run on three hits and a walk over four innings.

That’s right. Eight runs and 11 hits were not enough for the KC Royals to defeat the Oakland A’s today. They lost 10-8.

The Royals actually had a chance to at least tie the game in the 9th inning, as they had runners at second and third base with two outs. But Kevin Kouzmanoff couldn’t be a hero for the second time this spring, as he grounded out to end the game.

The A’s scored five runs in the 4th inning. In that inning, former Royal Kila Ka’aihue hit a two-run homerun with two outs off Mike Montgomery. Prior to Kila, he had given up an RBI triple. Montgomery lasted just 0.2 innings and allowed five runs on three hits and two walks (though one run scored after he was gone). However he didn’t even record the loss.

That went to reliever Blake Wood. The Royals actually claimed the lead with two runs in the 5th inning, three more in the 6th inning, and one run in the 8th inning. Wood gave up three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning. Granted, all those runs were unearned thanks to a Kouzmanoff fielding error with one out and a runner on base (via a walk). Wood would get the next hitter to pop out, but walked the next guy and gave up a bases-clearing double to the next hitter.

Who else pitched for the Royals?

Bruce Chen started and allowed one run on two hits over three innings before Montgomery imploded. Nate Adcock followed Montgomery and allowed one of his runs to score. Tommy Hottovy followed Adcock and allowed one of his runs to score. Non-roster invitee Francisley Bueno pitched a perfect inning of relief. Kelvin Herrera allowed two hits in his one inning of work, but escaped unscathed before Wood’s appearance.

With all of those hits, the Royals must have had some players with good games, right?

Eric Hosmer hit his first homerun of the spring, a two-run shot in the 3rd inning. He also collected a double. Yuniesky Betancourt started again at second base and went 2-for-4. Mitch Maier came off the bench to go 2-for-2, including a two-run triple.

*For the second straight game, the Royals did not ground into a double play.

Spring training workouts have officially begun for KC Royals pitchers and catchers in Surprise, Arizona. With that comes the competition. The real decisions for the Royals are in terms of their pitching staff and who is going to make the Opening Day trip to Anaheim.

Things are bound to change throughout the season, as injuries and struggles are a part of the game. Pitching seems to be the biggest concern for the Royals and it has been their biggest downfall over the years. Spring training is the place to put yourself in the minds of the coaches, even if it is for a late callup.

It all starts with the rotation.

This offseason, the Royals traded for left-handed starter Jonathan Sanchez. They then re-signed lefty starter Bruce Chen. Those two will fill two of the five rotation spots. So how many lefties will fill the Royals rotation?

It depends on how many manager Ned Yost and new pitching coach Dave Eiland want to fill out their rotation. Do they want to have a specific number of lefties and righties in their rotation or will they just take the five best arms in camp?

The coaches will get a long look at the 15 or so pitchers being stretched out to possibly start, as Yost stated that the team will go with a six-man rotation during the first three weeks of spring training games. At least until starters start going four innings.

Danny Duffy

Let’s take a look at the left-handed starting candidates in camp (beyond Sanchez and Chen):

Danny Duffy may have a leg up on the rest of the competition based on experience alone. He arrived in the big leagues and did an alright job in his rookie season in 2011. What he needs to show in camp is that he grew from the ups and downs of his rookie season. He cannot be content with just being in the big leagues; he needs to show he wants it and beat out the rest of the competition.

In 20 starts in the Majors in 2011, Duffy was 4-8 with a 5.64 ERA. It wasn’t just that he got hit (119 hits in 105.1 innings); he got hit hard (15 homeruns allowed, though nine were solo shots). Duffy struggled with his command too, as he walked 51. He needs to regain the control he showed in the minors (110 walks in parts of five minor league seasons). He also needs to improve how he pitches with men in scoring position (15.47 ERA) and with two outs (7.52 ERA with 37 hits and 20 walks allowed).

Yost talked about the walks in Day 2 of spring training:

“We have to get better. We have to lower our walks. We have to consistently pitch down in the zone better, if we’re going to have any chance to compete,” Yost said.

» Continue reading “Will Another Lefty Crack the Royals Rotation?”

KC Royals pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Arizona, by Monday, February 20th with the official workout beginning the next day. The Royals are a tough roster to crack with all of their youth. They have 17 non-roster invitees coming to big league camp with only a few roster spots open. Some will be in big league camp for the very first time.

The Royals used to have a plethora of young left-handed pitchers coming up through their minor league system. In 1995, the Wilmington Blue Rocks starting staff was led by three lefties: Jose Rosado, Glendon Rusch, and Tim Byrdak. However they have yet to truly develop a lefty into a long-time, big league pitcher.

There was a bit of a lull of lefties in the system with guys like Jeremy Affeldt and Chris George. Now the Royals system is stocked with lefties.

The Royals have two left-handers guaranteed spots in the rotation (Jonathan Sanchez and Bruce Chen), with the two other spots expecting to go to right-handers Luke Hochevar and Felipe Paulino. That leaves one rotation spot open to competition in spring training. The Royals need to decide if they want to carry three left-handed starters or just make a decision on who pitches best this March.

Lefties Danny Duffy and Everett Teaford, who are on the 40-man roster and spent much of 2011 in the big leagues, are competing for that open spot. The Royals have four left-handed starters coming to camp as non-roster invitees.

Via Greg Schaum of Royals Prospects on shutterfly

Mike Montgomery could be the wild card. He had such a good showing in spring training last year that the Royals considered including him on the Opening Day roster. Instead, they decided he was better off getting more time in Triple-A. It was a good decision because he was terrible in Omaha and would like to quickly move on. Moving on starts with spring training and another good showing this spring could see Montgomery heading to Anaheim for Opening Day.

Will Smith may be the long shot, as he spent the entire 2011 season in Double-A. He was the NW Arkansas Naturals Pitcher of the Year after a dominant showing there (13-9 with a 3.85 ERA in 161.1 innings. He struck out 108 compared to 45 walks). It was especially dominant considering the Texas League is a hitter’s league. 2012 will be his second straight big league camp with the Royals, so he knows what to expect. He also impressed last spring, as manager Ned Yost compared his composure to that of a ten-year veteran.

» Continue reading “Royals Non-Roster Invitee Breakdown: Left-Handed Pitchers”

This week, MLB released their top 100 prospects, both live on MLB Network and on MLB.com. The KC Royals have widely been considered to have one of the best farm systems in the game and that young talent is what will carry the Royals to future success.

On the 2011 list, the Royals had six players on the list. Mike Moustakas (seventh) and Eric Hosmer (eighth) have graduated to the big leagues. John Lamb (34th) dropped off the list after missing most of 2011 due to Tommy John surgery. The other three have reappeared in the 2012 rankings.

Wil Myers, now an outfielder, has been ranked over the last three years (33rd in 2010 and 16th in 2011). He dropped a bit this year to 19th, as he struggled for the first time in his first season in Double-A. However, he rebounded in the Arizona Fall League and should carry that success into 2012.

Mike Montgomery, a left-handed starter, has fluctuated all over this list the last three years. He was ranked 43rd in 2010 and then jumped to 14th in 2011. Many thought he would be the first young pitcher to the big leagues for the Royals. Instead, he struggled at Triple-A and slipped to 31st on this list. Still, scouts (and the Royals) are high on Montgomery and maybe he can crack the Royals rotation sometime in 2012.

Right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi was 37th in 2011, but dropped in 2012 to 47th. He was dominant at times in High-A in his first season with the Royals, but sometimes he struggled to pitch five innings. Upon his promotion to Double-A, he struggled a little more with consistency. Still, he is the Royals most intriguing right-handed pitching prospect.

The newest Royal on the list (and the highest ranked) is Bubba Starling. The athletic outfielder that was lured away from a Nebraska football scholarship came in at 17th. He will begin his professional career in 2012 with high expectations, but in the lower rungs of the minor leagues.

All in all, the Royals have four prospects in the top 50 and still have a potent farm system.

Every two weeks, I get a little excited when my dad brings in the mail. Wrapped around the bills and the junk is my favorite, Baseball America. Ever since I became a subscriber, I look forward to that day. When I was younger, my mom used to walk with me to the local newstand so I could buy a copy.

Enough of my rambling.

At the end of last week, I received my copy of Baseball America in the mail. This issue was the American League Central’s edition of Top 10 Prospects. This is probably my favorite issue for two reasons: 1. I write about the KC Royals and 2. I have the opportunity to see all five teams’ minor league systems at some point during the season.

The Royals Top 10 is a little different than last year’s. Why? Well, we saw a few graduations to the big leagues in 2011 including last year’s top prospect, first baseman Eric Hosmer. Others who graduated to the big leagues include third baseman Mike Moustakas (3), left-hander Danny Duffy (7), and All-Star reliever Aaron Crow (9).

Mike Montgomery via John Sleezer of the Kansas City Star

Left-hander Mike Montgomery is back atop the Royals prospect list (where he sat in 2010) after losing the throne to Hosmer last season. He was so good in spring training last year that there was consideration for him to make the big club on Opening Day.

Instead, the Royals sent him to Triple-A Omaha, where he started the season well (2.45 ERA over his first six starts). Then he fell apart (3-10 with a 6.12 ERA), as he struggled with his command and watched rotation-mate Duffy head to the Majors.

Still, many believe 2011 was just a hiccup (he was just 22 years old last season in Triple-A) and he will rebound to the front-line starter who should see time in the Majors by season’s end. That is why, despite the terrible season, that he has moved up the Royals prospect list from fifth to first.

Heading into the 2012 season, Montgomery is ranked seventh among all left-handed pitching prospects by MLB.com. You can check out video from Montgomery’s time in the MLB Rookie Development Program in DC last week HERE.

Do you agree with Montgomery as the Royals top prospect?

When do you expect him to reach the Majors?
*HERE is the link to Baseball America’s Top 10 list. I believe you have to be a subscriber to get the full scouting reports.

Via Sara Molina/Sacramento River Cats

For the second straight night, the Omaha Storm Chasers pounded the Sacramento River Cats. This time it came on the road and this time the Storm Chasers got to celebrate the win with a championship.

Behind the solid pitching performance from prospect Mike Montgomery and the explosive offense, the Storm Chasers swept the River Cats 3-0 to take home the Pacific Coast League Championship.

Omaha got on the board in the top of the 2nd inning against River Cats starter Travis Banwart. With two outs, Irving Falu singled which was followed by back-to-back RBI doubles from Manny Pina and Lance Zawadzki.

They took control in the top of the 5th inning as they scored four more runs, again all with two outs. Zawadzki capped the scoring with a two-run single off River Cats reliever Trey Barham. Omaha tacked on more runs over the next three innings, which was huge.

Montgomery finished his night pitching five scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and three walks while striking out six. It was a great way for him to finish out the season after struggling to stay consistent all year.

The River Cats had shown a penchant for making comebacks. They were down 0-2 at Reno in the divisional series before storming back at home to take the next three and head to the championship. They cut the lead to 8-3 in the bottom of the 6th inning against Omaha reliever Kevin Pucetas. They scored two runs in the bottom of the 7th inning against Omaha reliever Zach Miner to cut the lead to 10-5.

That is why the continued scoring of Omaha’s offense late in the game was so huge.

It even got interesting in the bottom of the 9th inning. Chris Carter homered to lead off the inning against the Storm Chasers’ Kelvin Herrera to cut the deficit to 11-6. With two outs, Herrera walked Grant Green. However he bounced back to get Andy LaRoche to ground out back to him to end the game and set off the celebration.

Omaha pounded out 14 hits and went 6-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Zawadzki went 4-for-4 and was one of five Omaha hitters with a multi-hit game.

*Omaha will face the Columbus Clippers, who won the International League Championship over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Saturday night, on Tuesday night on Versus for the Triple-A crown in New Mexico. After getting a chance to see Columbus play a few times this year and watching them dominate the Durham Bulls and the IronPigs in the playoffs, Tuesday night’s game should be fun to watch. The Clippers are the defending champs.

It was a rough start for KC Royals prospect Mike Montgomery, as the Omaha Storm Chasers returned home hoping to finish off the three game sweep of the Round Rock Express. He allowed five runs in the 3rd inning, capped by a Chad Tracy grand slam. Montgomery lasted just three innings and allowed five runs on six hits and four walks. Express starter Neil Ramirez was solid, as he allowed one run on just two hits over five innings.

I have to give the Storm Chasers offense credit, as they stormed back in the game after being down 6-1 heading into the bottom of the 6th inning. They scored three runs in the 6th inning, capped by Kila Ka’aihue’s two-run homer off lefty reliever Beau Jones (so much for the lefty-on-lefty matchup working for the Express). They then tied the game in the bottom of the 7th inning on Kila’s two-run double off lefty reliever Michael Kirkman.

Then the top of the 11th happened. With two outs and a runner on first base, Omaha pitcher Zach Miner induced a ground ball to Joaquin Arias, that he booted for an error. The inning imploded on Miner, as he allowed three runs on two more hits and an error by centerfielder Jarrod Dyson. That gave the Express a 9-6 lead.

The comeback began for Omaha in the bottom of the 11th. Three straight singles against Express reliever Cody Eppley cut the deficit to 9-7. After a coaching visit, Eppley got Lance Zawadzki to pop up for the first out. Irving Falu followed with a sac fly, cutting the deficit to 9-8. With a runner on first base, Arias struck out on three pitches to end the game.

I’m still stuck on the fact that Omaha pinch-ran John Whittleman in the bottom of the 11th inning as the tying run. I saw alot of him in Wilmington and speed is not one of his strong suits.

Round Rock survived to force a Game 4 in Omaha. They will throw veteran Brett Tomko against Omaha’s Sean O’Sullivan.

With the return home, NW Arkansas was hoping to keep their playoff series alive. For the second time in three games, both teams scored a single run in the first inning. Errors helped both teams score. Errors and wildness haunted the Arkansas Travelers in the bottom of the 5th inning as the Naturals took a 2-1 lead.

After his defense threw a runner out at the plate, Travelers starter Orangel Arenas walked Christian Colon. He then threw a wild pitch and catcher Orlando Mercado made a wild throw, allowing a run to score. In the 8th inning, the Naturals tacked on another run as Wil Myers walked with the bases loaded to force in a run.

Naturals starter Mario Santiago allowed the unearned run on four hits over six innings. Brendan Lafferty and Blaine Hardy combined to throw three no-hit innings of relief. Each team collected just four hits, with the Travelers Matt Cusick collecting two hits.

The Naturals have forced a Game 4 on Saturday night at Arvest Park. Jeremy Jeffress gets the start for the Naturals against Arkansas’ Eddie McKiernan.

The Kane County Cougars survived three errors, one in which allowed two runs to score, to take the deciding Game 3 over the Burlington Bees to move on in the Midwest League playoffs. Cougars starter Jason Adam was stellar before the Bees two-run 6th inning. He allowed four hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out five while not walking a batter. The Cougars bullpen pitched three scoreless innings of relief.

The Cougars held a 3-0 lead after five innings. Brian Fletcher doubled in the first run in the 4th inning and Brett Eibner tripled in Fletcher for the second run. In the 5th inning, Angel Franco tripled in their third run.

The Cougars now move on to face the Quad Cities River Bandits, who won 2-0 in their series over Clinton. The three-game series begins on Saturday night (9/10) in Kane County.

Unfortunately just 462 people attended the win or go home game.