This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”
Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (40-52, 13.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers had a rough week, losing 4 of 6 to the Louisville Bats. On the mound, Mitch Spence made two starts, totaling 10.1 innings, allowing 10 hits, 4 runs, 5 walks and striking out 12 batters. Henry Williams made one start, going 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, a walk and striking out 5 batters. Justin Topa, who the Royals just acquired, threw 3 scoreless innings over 2 appearances.
At the plate, Gavin Cross went 10 for 27, with 3 doubles, a triple and a homer, driving in 5 runs. Brett Squires went 7 for 22, with 2 homers and 2 doubles. John Rave went 6 for 22, with a homer and 5 runs batted in.
The Storm Chasers return home to play the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. The series runs Friday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (36-49, 20 games back)
The Naturals won 4 of 6 in their series against the Wichita Wind Surge. At the plate, Jack Pineda went 13 for 26, with 4 doubles, a triple and a homer. On the season, Pineda is slashing .374/.443/.557. He is a 26-year-old shortstop. Spencer Nivens went 8 for 24, with two doubles and a triple, driving in 8 runs.
On the mound, Drew Beam made one start, going 7 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 runs, striking out 7. While his season numbers aren’t good, Beam, who just got promoted to Double-A for the first time right before the season, 3 of his last 4 starts have been excellent. Steven Zobac went 5 innings, allowing 3 hits, no runs, striking out 4 in his only start of the week. Zobac continues to look good, as he settles in, returning from injury.
The Naturals return home to take on the Midland RockHounds, the series runs Friday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (41-42, 8 games back)
The River Bandits might be the hottest team in the Royals organization currently. They have won 8 of their last 10, after taking 4 of 6 from the Peoria Chiefs. Quickly, Blake Mitchell and Kendry Chourio both played in the Futures Game on Sunday. Mitchell was the starting catcher, going 0-1 with a walk and strikeout. Chourio pitched 0.2 of an inning, giving up a hit and striking out a batter, Chourio pitched against some higher level prospects in other organizations. Chourio’s fastball was a consistent 97-99 mph.
As for the River Bandits team, on the mound, Chourio threw 3 scoreless innings, allowing 2 hits, while striking out 4. David Shields made two starts, totaling 8 innings, allowing 10 hits, 5 runs, (4 earned), walking 2 and striking out 11. Kamden Edge threw 2 scoreless innings, striking out 6 batters, while allowing 1 hit.
At the plate, Mitchell went 7 for 16, with 3 homers and a double, driving in 6 runs. Ramon Ramirez went 9 for 21, with 5 doubles and a homer, driving in 13 runs. Derlin Figueroa went 8 for 21, with 2 doubles and a homer.
The River Bandits hit the road to take on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the series runs Friday through Sunday, with a doubleheader on Saturday.
Columbia Fireflies (43-44, 7 games back)
The Fireflies lost 4 of 6 to the Salem RidgeYaks. At the plate, Sean Gamble went 5 for 20, stealing 4 bases. Connor Rasmussen went 5 for 13, walking 5 times as well. JC Vanek went 4 for 15, with a triple and homer.
On the mound, Dash Albus threw 4 innings, allowing 3 runs, all unearned, striking out 6. Albus is a 23-year-old lefty out of Abilene Christian. The Royals took him in the 19th round in 2024. Randy Ramnarace threw 3.2 scoreless innings this week, allowing 5 hits and striking out 6.
The Fireflies hit the road, taking on the Charleston RiverDogs. The series runs Friday through Sunday.
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