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”

The KC Royals played a full week of games for the first time during the 2013 season (with zero days off). It unfortunately was not a good week. They went 1-6 last week, but started the new week with a win in LA last night. The Royals dropped to third place in the American League Central behind both Detroit and suddenly hot Cleveland, and just one game ahead of Minnesota.

Omaha dropped to second place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division at 19-17. The Storm Chasers went 3-4 last week. They finish up their road series tonight in Colorado Springs, before returning home to enjoy tomorrow off and start an eight-game homestand.

NW Arkansas went 3-3 last week and continue to be the worst team in the Texas League at 13-22. The Naturals continue their road series tonight against the Arkansas Travelers.

Wilmington continues to be a streaky team, though they are still in last place in the Northern Division of the Carolina League (17-20). Last week, the Blue Rocks went 4-2. They continue their road trip tonight, as they open a three-game set in Potomac.

Lexington is 18-19, four games back in the South Atlantic League’s Southern Division. The Legends went 3-3 last week. They continue their home series tonight against Kannapolis.

Now to the awards…The Royals minor leaguers took home three player/pitcher of the week awards. I only gave one of them one of my weekly awards.

Hitter of the Week

Majors: Alex Gordon seems to be the only Royal who can consistently hit in their lineup, no matter where Ned Yost places him in the lineup. He has now moved to the third spot, in front of Billy Butler, and has not missed a beat. Over the last seven games, he went 11-for-28 (.393) with two doubles and three homeruns. Gordon scored six runs and drove in eight.

Minors: Max Ramirez, Omaha. He was also named the PCL’s Player of the Week. In five games, he went 11-for-20 (.550) with two doubles and two homeruns. He scored seven runs and drove in six. He is in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak.

Honorable Mention: His teammate Anthony Seratelli. In six games, he went 10-for-25 (.400) with two doubles and a homerun. He scored six runs and drove in four.

» Continue reading “Royals Weekly Awards”

Mother Nature was not kind to the big league KC Royals or their farm system last week. There were a total of six games postponed.

The Royals had two more games postponed last week, with them only playing five (4-1). Their four-game winning steak came to an end with a heartbreaking loss in Monday’s makeup game against Chicago. The lack of games pushed them into second place behind Detroit. The Royals head to Baltimore for three games beginning tonight (hopefully the rain holds off because I will be there).

Omaha also had two games postponed last week. The Storm Chasers went 2-3, but are still in first place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division at 16-12. They finished up their series at home yesterday afternoon (an extra inning loss) and now are out on the road for eight games in Reno and Colorado Springs.

NW Arkansas had back-to-back games postponed last week and went 2-3. The Naturals are still the worst team in the Texas League at 10-18. They finish up their series at home today against Arkansas before heading out on the road for nine games.

Wilmington went 4-3 last week and enjoyed a day off on Monday. The Blue Rocks are just 13-17 and in last place in the Carolina League’s Northern Division. They welcome Potomac to town for three games beginning tonight and could move out of last place with a sweep.

Lexington has now won six in a row (including last night’s win over Lakewood) and went 5-1 last week. The Legends are moving up in the South Atlantic League Southern Division standings at 14-16. They finish up their series in Lakewood today before heading home for seven games.

Now that you are up-to-date on the teams, let’s hand out some awards.

» Continue reading “Royals Weekly Awards”

Outside of the top two levels, the 2013 season has not been too good for the KC Royals system so far.

The big league KC Royals went 3-2 last week, as they had two rain outs and a day off. The Royals are now in the midst of ten games in nine days, though all are at home. They are 13-9 overall and in first place in the American League Central.

Omaha went 4-2 last week as they begin a four-game road series against New Orleans tonight. The Storm Chasers are in first place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Northern Division at 14-9. That is the best record in the PCL.

NW Arkansas went 3-4 last week on the road (and lost their finale this afternoon in Tulsa). The Naturals have the worst record in the Texas League at 8-15 (well now 8-16 after today’s loss) and are four games back of first place in the North.

Wilmington has lost six in a row and last won on Monday in Salem. The Blue Rocks open a four-game series at home tonight versus the Red Sox. They have the worst record in the Carolina League at 9-14, three games back in the Northern Division.

Lexington lost five in a row last week before a win on Sunday. They finished up their home series this morning with a loss to Augusta, before an off day and another road trip. This time, they will be heading north, to Delmarva and Lakewood. The Legends are in last place in the South Atlantic League’s Southern Division at 9-15 (well now 9-16). They are 6.5 games back.

Now to the awards…

» Continue reading “Royals Weekly Awards”

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”

With the big league KC Royals having two days off within a four day span, I decided not to harp on the strikeouts again today. Instead, I will take a look at some homerun totals early on in the minor league season.

Usually teams with high strikeout totals tend to have players who swing for the fences (or just have long swings). However, homeruns have been hard to come by over the first three weeks of the minor league season. The cold weather may also have something to do with that. Or maybe the good, new pitching they are facing.

Billy Butler

Three homeruns is most among Royals farmhands (and most among the Royals period). That total comes from veteran Xavier Nady with Omaha. The Storm Chasers have a total of 12 homers in 13 games. Brett Hayes has two homeruns in just seven games. Christian Colon has just two extra base hits, but both are long balls. Max Ramirez also has two homeruns. Three other players have hit a homerun.

In NW Arkansas, two homeruns is tops amongst its players, as they have hit a total of seven. Brian Fletcher, who is currently on the DL, has two homeruns. He only has three total hits in five games. Slugger Matt Fields also has two homeruns (of his five total hits).

In Wilmington, they have five total homeruns as the players will find it will be tough to hit it out of Frawley Stadium. Kenny Diekroeger, who does not play every day, leads the team with two homeruns in 38 at-bats.

In Lexington, they have hit just four homeruns. Fred Ford leads the team with two in 43 at-bats. That’s not surprising, considering he hit 13 in 214 at-bats last season in rookie ball.

Homeruns have also been a struggle at the big league level, as Billy Butler leads the Royals with just two. The big leaguers have only hit a total of five (and Chris Getz has hit one of them).

Hopefully when the weather starts to heat up, the Royals will begin to find their power potential (at all levels).

It’s another KC Royals day off, so let’s take another look at the strikeouts piling up in their minor league system.

Omaha as a team has struck out 85 times in 381 at-bats. Max Ramirez leads the Storm Chasers with 15 strikeouts in 39 at-bats (he has just nine hits). Xavier Nady is hitting .310, but has struck out 12 times in 42 at-bats. In eight games, Adam Moore has struck out eight times.

Wilmington’s Justin Trapp

NW Arkansas as a team has struck out 76 times in 335 at-bats. Brett Eibner leads the Naturals with 12 strikeouts in 34 at-bats (and is hitting just .059). Matt Fields has struck out 11 times in 28 at-bats (and is hitting just .143).

It hasn’t been so bad in Wilmington, as the team has struck out 68 times in 315 at-bats. Lane Adams and Justin Trapp lead the team with ten strikeouts each. Adams has 35 at-bats, while Trapp has 32 at-bats. Trapp‘s strikeouts worry me more than Adams because Trapp is the Blue Rocks leadoff hitter and someone who relies on speed and needs to get on base.

Lexington as a team has struck out 93 times in 341 at-bats. Bubba Starling has struck out 15 times in 36 at-bats (and is hitting just .184). Fred Ford has struck out 13 times in 33 at-bats. Adalberto Mondesi has also struck out 13 times in 40 at-bats as the Legends leadoff hitter. Michael Antonio is hitting .325, but has struck out 11 times in 40 at-bats.

The KC Royals Triple-A affiliate’s roster is full of players that competed during spring training for a roster spot. Most likely, at least a few will get some big league time in 2013.

The Omaha Storm Chasers are a veteran team, with an average age of just under 28. Lefty Will Smith will be making his second straight Opening Day start tonight (the start of an eight-game road trip). He will be followed in the rotation by reigning Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year Ryan Verdugo, Chris Dwyer, Nate Adcock, and veteran Brian Sanches (who is filling in until Justin Marks gets healthy). While the Royals have zero lefties in their rotation, Omaha starts the season with three straight. The first three in the rotation will be on 90 pitch limits, while Adcock will be limited to 75 pitches and Sanches will throw even less. That means the bullpen will get some work.

Veteran Dan Wheeler and Louis Coleman were the last pitchers cut from big league camp this spring. Lefty Donnie Joseph and righty Michael Mariot impressed this spring and I expect lefty Everett Teaford to get some long relief in behind the last two spots in the rotation. Francisley Bueno and Atahualpa Severino give Omaha yet another left-handed relief option. Blaine Boyer is the other right-handed option in the ‘pen.

The key may be the catchers, who are more DH-types (at least Adam Moore and Max Ramirez are). Those two both can hit, but Brett Hayes will probably be the everyday catcher.

Manager Mike Jirschele admitted he is having a hard time figuring out how to get players like Anthony Seratelli into the lineup (though he can play all over the field). Omaha has a few options at first base and several options at second base. Johnny Giavotella is expected to get the bulk of the playing time, but prospect Christian Colon could slide over from shortstop if and when the Royals decide he is their future. Then there’s Irving Falu, who played great defense at second base during the World Baseball Classic. Brandon Wood will probably be the starting third baseman.

The Storm Chasers outfield is a speedy group and one made up of three centerfielders: David Lough, Willy Taveras, and Paulo Orlando. You may also see veteran Xavier Nady out there. I saw Lough for the first time in person this spring and I walked away impressed. He may make Royals fans forget about Wil Myers.

The players expect to make the PCL playoffs. They’ve made the finals the last two seasons and begin that quest tonight in Round Rock.

The KC Royals kick off their annual winter caravan with a North, South, and West caravan.

The North Caravan begins in Omaha on January 17th at the Ultimate Baseball Academy from 6-7:30pm for FREE food and to meet current & former Royals players. There will also be another stop in Lincoln, Nebraska earlier in the day.

UPDATE: DH Billy Butler, pitcher Greg Holland, second baseman Johnny Giavotella, Hall of Fame First Baseman John Mayberry, and Fox Sports Kansas City Announcer Joel Goldberg are scheduled to appear on this part of the caravan.

The West Caravan trip will include stops in Kansas on January 17 & 18, including Lawrence, Topeka, and Manhattan on the 17th and Salina and Wichita on the 18th.

UPDATE: Pitchers Aaron Crow and Everett Teaford, first baseman Eric Hosmer, Hall of Fame Outfielder Willie Wilson, broadcaster Ryan Lefebvre, and mascot Sluggerrr are expected to be a part of this leg of the caravan.

The South Caravan trip goes all over the region. On Sunday, January 20th, it will make stops in Warrensburg and Springfield, Missouri. On Monday, January 21st, the trip will make a stop in Springdale, Arkansas at the home of the Double-A NW Arkansas Naturals.

Well, actually, a luncheon will be held at the Holiday Inn in Springdale in cooperation with the local Rotary Club. It begins at 11:30am and costs $15. Royals lefties Bruce Chen, Will Smith, and the recovering Danny Duffy will be on hand to answer questions and sign autographs. Also, owner David Glass will be in attendance.

There will also be stops on the 21st in Joplin, Missouri and Ft. Scott Kansas.

The winter caravan makes its final stop on Tuesday, January 22nd with its “salute to the military” trip. The Royals will make stops at Ft. Riley and Ft. Leavenworth in Kansas.

So if you live in any of these areas, I suggest stopping by to see the boys in blue. It’s a great way to start getting excited for spring training.

*And don’t forget: the Royals FanFest will be held on January 19th, right smack dab in the middle of the caravan.

**For more detailed information on the Royals Caravan, including exact stops, click HERE.

On Saturday, the KC Royals finally announced their 2013 minor league coaching staffs. As you might expect, there were some changes (but a few surprises).

In Triple-A Omaha, Mike Jirschele returns as manager for an 11th consecutive season. Last season, the Storm Chasers returned to the Pacific Coast League finals for a second consecutive season. Larry Carter, or LC as he is better known, finally earned a promotion to Triple-A in his 16th season with the Royals. He had been the pitching coach in Double-A for 11 seasons. Tommy Gregg returns as hitting coach for his fifth season.

Double-A NW Arkansas welcomes manager Steve Poldberg for his sixh season. Last season, the Naturals missed the postseason for the first time under him. He has two new coaches serving under him. Jim Brower is the new pitching coach, as he served in the same capacity the last two seasons with Low-A Kane County. He pitched in the big leagues beginning in 1999 and was with eight teams. Nelson Liriano is the new hitting coach in his 12th season with the Royals. Last season, he split his time as hitting coach with rookie level Surprise and then Wilmington.

Vance Wilson exchanging lineup cards on Opening Night in Wilmington in 2012.

In Wilmington, Vance Wilson returns for his second season as manager. Last season, the Blue Rocks reached the postseason for the first time since 2009 as the second half Northern Division champs (won 37 of their final 70 games). Steve Luebber (shocking to me) returns for his seventh straight season as the Blue Rocks pitching coach. The new addition is hitting coach Julio Bruno, who served in the same capacity in 2012 with Low-A Kane County. The Cougars had the fifth fewest strikeouts in the Midwest League, as they hit .250 as a team.

In its first season as a Royals Low-A affiliate, Lexington will be managed by Brian Buchanan, who managed Kane County last season. Jerry Nyman will be his new pitching coach after serving that capacity with rookie level Idaho Falls. Justin Gemoll is the new hitting coach after serving in that same capacity with Burlington (he also spent a few seasons in Wilmington).

*Here are the rest of the affiliate coaching staffs via the Royals press release:

» Continue reading “Royals Announce Minor League Coaching Staffs”