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 (43-52, 13.5 games back)
The Storm Chasers swept their three game series against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. At the plate, Kameron Misner went 5 for 12 with a double, triple and homer, driving in three runs. Andrew Velazquez was 4 for 10 with a double and two runs batted in. Matthew Lugo was 3 for 12 with a double and a triple.
On the mound, Stephen Kolek went 2.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, striking out 3 before leaving with a right flexor strain. Mason Black went 5.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, striking out 7 in his lone start of the weekend. Justin Topa threw 2 more scoreless innings in relief as well.
The Storm Chasers, winners of 4 straight, hit the road this week, taking on the Salt Lake Bees. The series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals (38-50, 19 games back)
The Naturals took two of three from the Midland RockHounds this weekend. On the mound, Drew Beam did it again, going 6 innings, allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, walking 2 and striking out 4. Beam is on track to push for a promotion by the end of the year at this rate. And if you aren’t sure, look at who the Royals have in AAA. Dennis Colleran threw two scoreless innings in relief, Chase Jessee threw 3 scoreless innings, striking out 5. Jessee is a 27-year-old lefty who the Royals signed to a minor league deal last November from the Mexican Pacific League.
At the plate, Omar Hernandez went 5 for 10, with a double and homer, with that homer being a walk-off. Hernandez is a 24-year-old catcher from Cuba. Carson Roccaforte went 4 for 14 with a walk off hit, and two homers.
The Naturals stay home to take on the Springfield Cardinals; the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Quad Cities River Bandits (44-42, 7 games back)
The River Bandits swept the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and are now winners of 11 of their last 13. On Sunday, they threw a combined no-hitter! Kendry Chourio went 5 innings, allowing 2 walks, but struck out 10 hitters. Emmanuel Reyes threw the last 4 innings, striking out 3. Congrats to those two! A lot of the excitement in Quad Cities currently goes to Chourio and David Shields and rightfully so, but Reyes is having a good season as well. The 22-year-old right hander from the Dominican Republic has pitched 82.2 innings, 16 starts, (Sunday was his first non-start of the season), with a 3.70 ERA and 69 strikeouts. Shields in his start on Saturday went 5 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, striking out 4.
At the plate, Blake Mitchell went 5 for 10, with two doubles and a homer. Derlin Figueroa went 4 for 13, with a triple and homer. Luke Pelzer went 5 for 13, with a double and triple.
The River Bandits stay on the road to take on the Beloit Sky Carp, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
Columbia Fireflies (45-45, 7.5 games back)
The Fireflies took two of three from the Charleston RiverDogs. At the plate, Josh Hammond put together a solid series, going 10 for 14, with a 5 for 5 game as well. Of those 10 hits, Hammond had 4 doubles. Yandel Ricardo went 7 for 11, with a triple and homer. Sean Gamble went 4 for 10.
On the mound, Henson Leal threw two scoreless innings in relief, striking out a pair. Leal is a 22-year-old right hander from Venezuela. Darwin Rodriguez went 6 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, striking out 5. Shane Van Dam threw 4 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out 4. Van Dam is a 22-year-old right hander out of North Carolina State. The Royals took him in the 9th round of the 2025 draft.
The Fireflies return home to take on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers; the series runs Tuesday through Sunday.
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