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 (48-53, 11.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers won 5 of 6 against the Salt Lake Bees on the road. At the plate, Gavin Cross went 12-for-27, with 5 homers, 2 doubles, 2 triples, and 10 runs batted in, and was named International League Player of the week. After a horrific start to the season at the plate, Cross is now up to .249 on the season, with 10 homers and 21 stolen bases. Kyle Isbel will probably be returned from his rehab assignment soon, but I’d like Cross to get some time with the Royals late this season. Elsewhere, John Rave went 11-for-22, with a homer and 3 doubles. Drew Waters was 9-for-22 with a homer as well.
On the mound, Aaron Bummer threw 2.1 scoreless innings, striking out 5. Matt Moore threw 2.2 scoreless innings striking out 5, and Justin Topa threw 3.2 scoreless innings, striking out 5. These are the veteran guys the Royals have been signing lately, with the deadline looming and trades possible, these three would be the first replacement call ups more than likely. Mitch Spence threw 5 innings of 1 run ball in his lone start of the week, striking out 6.
The Storm Chasers return home this week to take on the St. Paul Saints. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (40-54, 20 games back)
The Naturals lost 4 of 6 to the Springfield Cardinals. On the mound, Hunter Patteson made 2 starts, totaling 10 innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, striking out 11 hitters. Felix Arronde went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, striking out 5 in his lone start of the week. Oscar Rayo threw 5 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out 5 hitters.
At the plate, Luke Pelzer, who was just promoted from Quad Cities, went 10 for 24, scoring 3 runs as well. Daniel Vazquez went 7-for-21, with a double. Vazquez is a 22-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic. Sam Kulasingam went 6-for-23, with a homer.
The Naturals hit the road to take on the Tulsa Drillers, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (45-47, 11 games back)
The River Bandits lost 5 of 6 to the Beloit Sky Carp. At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 4 for 20, with 3 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases. Jose Cerice went 6 for 17. Cerice is a 21-year-old infielder from Cuba. Derlin Figueroa was 4 for 22 with a homer and a double.
On the mound, Kendry Chourio went 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 4 in his lone start of the week. Tanner Jones threw 4 innings of scoreless ball, allowing 2 hits, striking out 3. Jones was the Royals 6th round draft pick in 2024 out of Texas A&M. Blake Wolters threw 5 innings of 1 run ball, allowing 1 hit and striking out 7.
The River Bandits return home this week to take on the Dayton Dragons. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Columbia Fireflies (50-46, 6.5 games back)
The Fireflies won 5 of 6 from the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. On the mound, Ryan McDonagh threw 6 scoreless innings, allowing 1 hit, striking out 6 batters. McDonagh threw a no-hitter for 5.2 innings. McDonagh is a 20-year-old right hander from Canada. Jose Gutierrez threw 5.2 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 3. Shane Van Dam threw 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 run, striking out 7 in his lone start of the week.
At the plate, Sean Gamble went 7-for-20, with a double and home run. Gamble has battled back from a brutal start to the season and has raised his average to .203. Josh Hammond went just 3-for-21, cooling him off from the great month of July he’s having. Yandel Ricardo went 8-for-17, with a double and a triple.
The Fireflies hit the road to take on the Augusta GreenJackets. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
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