When the Wilmington Blue Rocks season started, they had a six man rotation that looked like this: five prospects and Aaron Brooks.

Fast forward to today, and Brooks may just be the best of the six.

Heading into last night’s start at home versus Lynchburg, Brooks had gone at least six innings in his last three starts. He was the only Blue Rocks starter to finish seven innings.

Last night, he was even better.

Brooks pitched eight shutout innings and only allowed five hits. He allowed a hit to the first hitter of the game and did not allow his second hit until there were two outs in the fifth. The Hillcats never had more than one baserunner on at any time against him.

By my count, he threw 86 pitches, 59 for strikes. In his final inning, he only threw eight pitches and faced four batters. He threw pitches to all four quadrants of the strikezone and topped out at 95 over the fourth and fifth innings (the two innings I was watching the scout’s radar gun).

He credited his defense behind him, which was great.

After struggling over his first three starts of the 2013 season, he said the major adjustment he made was just not trying for strikeouts. “Trying to get outs from the first three pitches. We have a great defense, so just trying to let them work behind me.”

It was his second start against Lynchburg in his last four starts. In Lynchburg, he allowed two hits over six scoreless innings. He talked after the game about facing the first place Hillcats twice in four starts.

“It definitely has a little bit of a motivation factor, once you’ve thrown against them, done well. Just try to take that into the next start.”

» Continue reading “Blue Rocks’ Brooks Pitching Like a Prospect”

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”

The Wilmington Blue Rocks won their second consecutive game last night with a 3-2 walk off victory over the visiting Salem Red Sox. It started out as a beautiful night for baseball and once again turned into a chilly night at Frawley Stadium.

Third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert stepped to the plate with one out and nobody on base in the bottom of the 9th inning with the game tied at 2-2. Red Sox reliever Michael McCarthy was on the mound for his third inning of work (and was lights out). Until his 1-0 pitch.

Cuthbert turned on it and pulled it over the left field wall for the walk off homerun. The bench went nuts and were bouncing around home plate waiting for him to circle the bases. When he finally hit home, they mobbed him.

It got better for Cuthbert in the clubhouse area, where he took a pie to the face during his postgame interview. I have it all on video and it looks as though Jack Lopez was the culprit.

» Continue reading “Blue Rocks Win Again on Cuthbert Walk Off”

Heading down to Wilmington for last night’s Blue Rocks game, I was intrigued to see lefty John Lamb start (and was hoping that he actually pitched). He had been scratched from his last start to rest his surgically repaired arm, which concerned some people. I was thankful to see him head down to the bullpen to get warmed up.

John Lamb during his April 30, 2013 start.

The other intriguing aspect to last night’s game was whether or not the season-long losing streak would end. It was at seven games, but thankfully, that came to an end with a 10-3 drubbing of Salem.

Let’s start with Lamb‘s performance.

I never had a chance to see Lamb pitch when he was in Wilmington prior to his Tommy John surgery, so I really had no idea what to expect. I had heard he was a hard thrower, but if the Blue Rocks radar gun was correct, he only hit 84 mph over his last two innings. That could be a concern, but maybe he was just working on his offspeed pitches, which were good (and ranged from 65-75, or 84). Even his warm up tosses only hit 81.

Lamb left after six innings with the lead, but had not even hit the 80-pitch mark. I would have liked to have seen him go longer, but the Blue Rocks batted around in the bottom of the sixth and it was the second time he had a long wait due to some surprising offensive outbursts. He had even gone down to the bullpen to warm up again.

Over his final two innings, he threw just 13 pitches. Lamb walked just one and struck out seven. He was really only beat by one Red Sox player, Garrin Cecchini, who hit two doubles and a laser solo homerun into the left field corner. But who is to fault Lamb? Cecchini is the Carolina League’s top hitter at .392. The only problem I have is that Cecchini is a left-handed hitter (though he went the other way all three times).

My big question with Lamb is his pickoff move and holding runners on (or lack thereof). Cecchini stole third base twice after his doubles and both were easy steals.

Now to the offense…

» Continue reading “Blue Rocks End Losing Streak with Lamb W”

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.