KC Royals - KIDS Edition

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Myers, Herrera to represent KC at Futures

KANSAS CITY -- There are no guarantees in baseball, but the future is looking pretty bright for Royals prospects Kelvin Herrera and Wil Myers, both of whom were selected to play in the 2011 XM All-Star Futures Game.

Current Royals Alex Gordon and Billy Butler both represented the organization at the game in 2006, and rookies Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas played in last year's contest. The success of those four seems to bode well for the Royals' 2011 representatives.

"It certainly does," said Royals director of Minor League operations Scott Sharp. "You wouldn't nominate them if you didn't think they had a future, obviously."

Back to back years with two in this game. I'm not sure I expect to see Myers in the lineup next year, at least early, but can't wait to see him in KC. And Herrera may actually make the pen next year if he keeps throwing like he has been. Although there are a lot of young guys in the pen as it is.

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Three Homers Carry Chasers Past Sounds

Nashville, TN - Cody Clark and Mike Aviles slugged solo home runs in a decisive four-run seventh inning to power Omaha past Nashville, 8-2, Thursday night in the fourth of a five-game set at Greer Stadium. The Storm Chasers quieted the Sounds for a ninth time in 11 meetings to improve to 41-34 and increase their lead to 1 1/2 games over Memphis in the American Conference North Division.

Lance Zawadzki smashed a two-run home run in the second to put the Chasers ahead 2-0 and extend his hitting streak to 14 games, the longest for any Omaha hitter this season.

Vin Mazzaro, making his first start for Omaha since returning from three turns in the big leagues with Kansas City, notched the win to improve to 4-0 after allowing two runs on six hits over six frames while walking two and striking out six. Blake Johnson spun three scoreless innings to preserve the victory and earn his first save at the Triple-A level.

Pucetas will start tonight.


Homer-Happy Drillers top Naturals

TULSA, OK - Naturals starter Edgar Osuna surrendered three longballs as the Tulsa Drillers managed to hold on for a 12-8 victory over the Naturals on Thursday night at ONEOK Field in Downtown Tulsa.
Despite the Naturals (1-1, 36-33) giving Osuna a 2-0 lead before he went to the mound, the Drillers knocked him around for eight hits and six runs in four innings before giving way to the bullpen, who unfortunately couldn't stop the bleeding as Eduardo Paulino relieved Osuna (6-3) and allowed Tulsa five runs in the fifth which ultimately put the game away.

Miner pitches tonight.


NAVARRO SHINES, BUT CAROLINA LEAGUE TOPPED BY CALIFORNIA ALL-STARS

Navarro's clutch knock made it a 4-1 game and it came one-half inning after his Wilmington teammate, Jake Odorizzi, had mowed the California League All-Stars down in a 1-2-3 bottom of the fourth. Odorizzi induced two soft outs on contact, a humpback liner to second and a soft grounder to third. Both outs were initiated by Blue Rocks teammates, Navarro at second and John Whittleman at third. In between, Odorizzi got Jake Lemmerman to look at a called third strike.

On offense, Whittleman, who got the start at third base and batted eighth, went 0-for-2. Whit Merrifield started in left field and was at the top of the Carolina League batting order. He went 1-for-4, with his only hit coming on an infield single in his final plate appearance of the game. On the night when his South Carolina Gamecocks upset top seeded Virginia in the College World Series, the man who was the hero of Carolina's championship-clincher last season bounced into a double play that killed the Carolina League's best threat of the night in the fifth.

ROCKS RALLY FOR BIG WIN

Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks used their biggest offensive inning of the season to register a come-from-behind, 10-7 win over the Lynchburg Hillcats on Thursday night at Frawley Stadium. Wilmington sent 12 men to the plate as it scored eight runs on five hits in the seventh inning, turning a one-run deficit into a first-half opening victory.
The Rocks got their big frame started thanks to the hustle of Carlo Testa and the clutch hitting of Rey Navarro and Yem Prades. Testa legged out an infield single to begin the inning, which seemed to open the floodgates.

Navarro followed with a roped two-run double to left that scored Testa and tied the game, 2-2. Then, Nick Francis and John Whittleman each walked, loading the bases for Prades. The outfielder placed a chopper perfectly inside the first-base line for a two-run double that put Wilmington ahead for good.

The Rocks would add another tally on Tim Ferguson's ensuing RBI fielder's choice, and an additional score three batters later when Prades came home on a passed ball. Whit Merrifield put an exclamation point on the frame when he launched a three-run homer to left. The bomb gave Wilmington a 9-1 advantage.

Arguelles goes tonight.


KC begins the 2nd half today.


Burlington Swept in Season Opening Series

Princeton, WV- The Royals suffered their third straight defeat on Thursday night as they fell, 6-3, to Princeton, who opens their season with a series sweep. Jason Mitchell is tagged with the loss for Burlington, while Pedro Silvestre earned the win for the Rays. Matt Murray, the starter for the Royals, pitched three innings, gave up two runs, only one earned, and struck out five. He would leave the game with his team trailing after four at-bats.
Burlington got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when Michael Antonio doubled, scoring Justin Trapp. An inning later, the Royals would take the lead for the first time this season. It started when Yunior Figueroa had an RBI double that scored Jorge Bonifacio to tie the game at two. Then with the bases loaded and no one out, second baseman, Justin Trapp, grounded into a 5-4-3 double play that brought home Adrian Bringas. Burlington's lead would be short lived, as in the bottom of the sixth, Princceton shortstop Tyler Motter homered to left field to tie the game. Things would remain relatively quiet for the next inning and a half before the Rays took control in the bottom of the eighth. Jason Mitchell gave up a home run to Justin O'Connor to open the frame, then gave up a walk and a single. He was relieved by Andy Ferguson before he could record an out in the inning. The Rays would put up two more runs off of runners left by Mitchell and entered the ninth down by three. In their final at bat, with Jin-Ho Shin on first, Bonifacio ground into a double play to end the game.

Angel Baez will start for the Royals tonight.


Chukars Beat Raptors 6-1, Sweep Series

The Chukars kicked off the scoring in the third when shortstop Adrian Martinez reached on an infield single and eventually came around to score on a balk from Ogden reliever Yimi Garcia.


Fast forward to the fifth inning where the Chukars scored three more runs, all of them unearned. After a Michael LIberto's double play cleared the bases, center fielder Tyler Chism roped a double down the right field line. Left fielder Darian Sandford then reached on an error from Raptors third baseman Scott Woodward, which also allowed Chism to move to third. During the next at-bat, Sandford took off for second base prompting a throw from Ogden catcher Jan Vazques. That allowed Chism to then steal home, making the score 2-0. Following another Sandford steal to put him on third, first baseman Dean Espy was hit by a pitch. With runners at the corners Espy took off for second. Vazquez, fearing another double steal of home, threw to third to try to catch Sandford. His throw sailed into left field however, allowing both Sandford and Espy to score and put the Chukars up 4-0.

Perhaps the real story of the night however, came from Chukars starting pitcher Brennon Martin. Martin (1-0) was marvelous while earning the win in his first start of the season, as we allowed just one run in his seven innings, surrendering just three hits and striking out eight. Idaho Falls reliever David MIddendorf held the Raptors scoreless over the final two earning to earn a hold.

No idea who's starting yet...


AZL turns around and loses 1-18.....


DSL split a DH winning 7-3 and then losing 2-4 in 12.

[SubGod22]

9 innings with Royals prospect Wil Myers

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Short Giavotella hoping to have big future

OMAHA, Neb. -- Seeing Johnny Giavotella play second base or stand in the batter's box might conjure up images of other small-in-stature middle infielders. David Eckstein may come to mind; maybe Nick Punto or even Dustin Pedroia.

Listed generously at 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, Giavotella isn't likely to be mistaken for a professional athlete on the street.

So if someone saw him come up to bat after Omaha Storm Chasers teammate David Lough hit a leadoff double to begin a game against the Iowa Cubs on June 13, it might be expected that Giavotella would lay down a bunt or attempt to slap the ball the other way.

What actually happened is what might elicit more comparisons to Pedroia than Punto. Giavotella slapped the ball -- into the left-field bleachers, a no-doubter of a home run to put the Storm Chasers up, 2-0.

Surprising? Only if you haven't seen Giavotella play. Only if you dismiss players because of their size.

"The smaller guys have to earn people's respect. They don't just give it to them based on their physical appearance," Giavotella said prior to the game. "To just have that mentality to work for everything you need to accomplish just really affects my game, really helps me and propels me to the next level. It's probably the biggest reason I've made it this far -- my work ethic and that drive to be the best."

Giavotella, who is No. 9 on MLB.com's list of Top 10 Royals prospects, is considered the future at second base for the Royals. He likely won't be called up until he has a chance to play every day, much like the organization dealt with current rookies Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas.

But when Giavotella does make the jump, he should be ready. He's hitting .321, with five home runs and 53 RBIs. He's got a .375 on-base percentage and a .441 slugging percentage, fueled by his 21 doubles.

I can't wait to see him in KC.

[SubGod22]

Sounds Slip Past Storm Chasers

Gamel's two-run homer capped a three-run first inning rally for the Sounds, who struck in their initial at-bat for the second time in the series. Storm Chasers starter Kevin Pucetas recovered from the rough opening frame to finish his night with four scoreless innings before departing the hill but did suffer the loss after yielding three runs on five hits.


Clint Robinson's fielder's choice grounder in the fourth got the visitors on the board before the Storm Chasers couldn't fully take advantage of a big opportunity in the sixth.


Three singles loaded the bases with nobody out for Robinson, who grounded into a force play at the plate. Kila Ka'aihue followed with a single that plated Mike Aviles to trim the lead to 3-2 but Johnny Giavotella was thrown out at the plate attempting to score the tying run.

Cleto Outduels Davies in Redbirds Win

OMAHA, Neb. - Memphis starter Maikel Cleto shook off a leadoff home run by Mike Aviles in the bottom of the first inning, flashing an upper-90s fastball and a devastating curveball in a 3-1 Memphis win in front of 8,658 fans Saturday night at Werner Park. He out-dueled Omaha starter Kyle Davies, who matched the youngster pitch-for-pitch but suffered the loss thanks to a pair of Storm Chasers throwing errors.
Cleto (1-0) fired 7.1 excellent innings in his Triple-A debut - though he previously made two appearances in the big leagues with St. Louis this season. The 22-year-old Dominican allowed just one run on four hits, struck out nine and did not walk a batter. His dominating performance marked another key milestone in his time with the St. Louis organization after being acquired from Seattle for infielder Brendan Ryan in the offseason.

Rehabbing starter Kyle Davies (1-1) was the tough-luck loser for Omaha. He went seven strong innings and also allowed just four hits, struck out nine and did not issue a walk. However, throwing errors by Cody Clark and Johnny Giavotella in the top of the third inning accounted for two Memphis runs, putting the Chasers in a hole they could not crawl out of. Davies has now struck out 21 and walked none in his 20 rehabilitation innings with Triple-A Omaha and Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Sundays game was rained out. Supan and SOS starting today.


Travs squeak past Naturals in tenth

Looking to snap a three-game losing streak, the Naturals had to come from behind early after the Travelers scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning, keyed by a two-run triple from Gabe Jacobo. Starter Buddy Baumann kept the home team off the board in the second but departed after that, allowing four runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Eduardo Paulino replaced Baumann in the third and gave the Naturals a chance to get back in the game, firing three scoreless innings. Paulino did not allow a hit but had to work around three walks, striking out one over the course of his outing.

The Naturals began to cut into the deficit in the third when Tim Smith singled home Derrick Robinson. Later in the inning, Smith and Seratelli executed a double steal and Seratelli scored on Traveler catcher Rosario's errant throw.

After Mertins singled home Jamie Romak in the fourth to pull the Naturals within a run, Wil Myers cranked a two-run double to center to give Northwest Arkansas its first lead of the night.

Seratelli added a solo homer - his eighth of the season - in the top of the seventh to push the advantage to 6-4. But the Travelers scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game, as Pettit and Mike Trout each contributed an RBI single.

After allowing Seratelli's home run, held the Naturals off the board for the rest of his outing. He allowed four hits and two walks over the five innings he was on the mound, but mitigated the damage with those double plays late in the game.

The Naturals outhit the Travelers, 11-8, as Derrick Robinson delivered his first four-hit game of the season. Northwest Arkansas also stole five bases - including Robinson's team-high 24th and 25th of the season - but the Travelers racked up three steals of their own.

Naturals' bats on ice again Monday

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - The Naturals were able to get the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but came up short as the Travelers prevailed for a 3-0 shutout in a matinee Monday afternoon at Dickey-Stephens Ballpark.
Facing Travelers' closer Ryan Brasier, looking for his 15th save on the season, the Naturals were down 3-0 and needing baserunners. Brasier got Jamie Romak to quickly groundout and Mario Lisson popped out, but Ben Theriot and Nick Van Stratten drew back-to-back walks to bring up Derrick Robinson representing the tying run. But Brasier got Robinson to line sharply to left to end the ballgame.

Things might have been looking promising for the Naturals offensively after Travelers' starter Orangel Arenas, named to the Texas League's mid-season All-Star squad, left the game after an inning with back spasms. But the 7-foot-1 Loek Van Mil (2-2), on for some long relief, kept the Naturals shackled for four innings, getting credited with the win.

All Star break gives NWA two days off before resuming play on Thursday. Just noticed the last article was from an early game today...


LATE LYNCHBURG MISTAKE LEADS TO WILMINGTON WIN

Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks used another late rally to beat the Lynchburg Hillcats on Friday night at Frawley Stadium. Just 24 hours after the Rocks scored eight runs in the seventh inning of a come-from-behind win over the Hillcats, Wilmington plated two unearned tallies in the bottom of the eighth to beat Lynchburg, 4-2.
The decisive frame began with an infield single off the bat of Yem Prades. The outfielder then moved into scoring position with a stolen base, but was still stuck there two outs later with Tim Ferguson at the plate. Hillcats hurler David Hale (1-2) uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Prades to move up to third. Ferguson then worked the count full before laying off a tight 3-2 pitch to draw a walk.

Alex McClure was up next, and the at-bat began with the infielder in pain. McClure fouled the first pitch he saw off his foot, hobbling him for almost a full minute before he could step back in the box. But McClure showed off enough to grit to make contact and send a hopper toward third. Joe Leonard had the ball bound off his body and by the time he had recovered, McClure had worked his way up the first-base line. The critical two-out error allowed Prades to score and put Wilmington in front, 3-2. The Blue Crew added an insurance run one batter later when Jose Bonilla laced an RBI single to right.

It looked like the Rocks might need that run as Michael Mariot entered in the ninth and promptly surrendered a single and a double to open the frame. With the tying run in scoring position with no outs, Mariot had to get serious in a hurry. The Carolina League All-Star did exactly that by fanning L.V. Ware and Keenan Wiley in succession and then getting Barrett Kleinknecht to fly out to center to polish off the win.

Mariott's third save of the season got Dusty Odenbach off the hook and gave the right-hander the second Advanced-A win of his career. Odenbach (2-0) entered with a 2-0 lead in the seventh but gave up single scores in two straight frames to let Lynchburg pull even.

ROCKS' BID FOR SWEEP FALLS SHORT

Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks' late-inning magic ran out on Saturday night at Frawley Stadium. The Blue Crew's bid for a second-half opening sweep of the Lynchburg Hillcats fell short in a 6-0 setback. After scoring 14 runs over the first two contests of the three-game set, Wilmington managed just three hits on Saturday.
The Rocks lost despite a solid start from All-Star Jake Odorizzi. The right-hander allowed just a single score in six sterling innings, but the Wilmington offense was non-existent and his bullpen let the game get out of hand late.

Lynchburg scored its lone run against Odorizzi (5-3) courtesy of two doubles in the second inning. Adam Milligan opened the frame with a fly ball that carried just past the outstretched glove of Wilmington left fielder Whit Merrifield. He came home one out later when Joe Leonard lined a hanging curveball into the left-centerfield alley.

OPPORTUNISTIC KEYS DEFEAT BLUE ROCKS

Frederick, MD - Tyler Sample deserved a better fate. He certainly pitched better than his final line would indicate. Perfect and pitch-efficient though five frames, he lost the perfecto and the lead in a two-run sixth. But the seventh made the biggest difference. Former Royals farmhand Adam Donachie continued his recent power surge, thundering his third homer in two days over the fence in left. His two-out shot drove in three runs as the Frederick Keys (43-30, 2-2) beat the Wilmington Blue Rocks (38-35, 2-2) in a series opener, 6-2.
The Blue Crew grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Gerard Hall worked a one-out walk, stole second, took third on a deep fly-out to center by Whit Merrifield, and scored on a Bobby Bundy wild pitch. Bundy (7-5) faced one over the minimum thereafter as the Carolina League All-Star struck out six men over seven frames of one-run ball.

Sample (5-5) notched seven outs on two pitches or less and struck out a man, Donachie, on three, through his five perfect innings. Donachie then opened the sixth with a single. Dale Mollenhauer followed with a double to right and Brian Ward tied the game with a groundout to first. Steve Bumbry's subsequent sacrifice fly to right put Frederick ahead to stay, 2-1.

Pimentel pitches today.


Fletcher plates career-high seven runs

Brian Fletcher refused to let the rain dampen his spirits on a long night in Peoria.
The Royals prospect smashed two homers and plated a career-high seven runs Saturday, powering the Kane County Cougars to an 11-5 romp over the Chiefs.

"I was feeling good tonight. It felt like a breakthrough, a good way to start the second half," said Fletcher, who missed a month due to a hamstring injury.

"I haven't had a game like this since my junior year of college in Auburn. I think it was one of the first two series of the year at home and I went 4-for-4 with eight RBIs and a couple doubles and a home run."

Kane County is 3-0 to begin the 2nd half of the season... Watch out!


Royals Downed in Extra Innings

Elizabethton, TN- The Burlington Royals fell to the Elizabethton Twins tonight behind Matej Hejma's run in the bottom of the 10th inning for a final score of 8-7. Steven Evans was awarded the win, while Nick Graffeo takes the loss as the Royals fall to 0-4 on the season.
Burlington was again plagued by early pitching struggles, as the road team gave up four runs in the bottom of the first. Starter Angel Baez went just one third of an inning, and gave up four runs.

The Royals got on the scoreboard in the top of the second when a wild pitch from Elizabethton starter, David Hurlbut, allowed Murray Watts to score to make it 4-1. Two innings later, Watts homered to left field with Michael Antonio on to make it 4-3. The Twins would stretch their lead in the fifth inning off of a wild pitch and a fielder's choice, and led 6-3 after five innings.

Burlington would creep back in the top half of the seventh as Jorge Bonifacio hit his first home run of the year. The two run shot made it a one-run game. Three batters later, Jovan Pickett singled home Yunior Figueroa to tie the score. The Twins regained the lead in the home half of the inning on an RBI single by Hejma. The Royals again came back, as with one out, Twins' third baseman, Roy Larson, was charged with a fielding error that scored Bonifacio. The teams would need nine innings to settle their score, and in the bottom of the 10th, Hejma would do just that on a batted ball by Tyler Koelling. The loss keeps Burlington winless through four games to start the 2011 season.

Offense Stalls in Loss at Elizabethton

Burlington would get on the board in the top of the fifth as Adrian Bringas would double home Cam Conner to make it a two-run game. That would be all the offense the Royals could put together, as they fell 3-1, and remain winless in the 2011 season.

At the plate, the Royals were led by Cam Connor and Adrian Bringas. Connor, who came in to pinch hit for Jin-Ho Shin in the fourth, recorded two hits in three at-bats and scored the Royals' only run. Bringas also had a two hit day, and the only Burlington RBI.

Royals Can't Overcome Early Deficit, Fall to Twins

The Royals managed two runs of Elizabethton starter, Todd Van Steensel, who earned the win for his club. He pitched five innings, giving up four hits, including a two-run home run from Justin Trapp in the fifth. Nicholas Alloway gave up four of the other five Burlington runs in his only inning of work. At the plate, Jorge Bonifacio went 3-for-5, scored a run, and knocked in another. Shortstop Michael Antonio hit his second home run of the year, as part of a 2-for-5 night and Jovan Pickett added two hits as well in the losing effort.

Ridings starts tonight.


Chukars Fall at Home Again, 13-6 to Owlz

The Idaho Falls Chukars returned home Friday night and unfortunately picked up right where they left off on Tuesday, with a 13-6 blowout in front of 2,944 fans at Melaleuca Field.


After looking like a different, better team in a two game road sweep of the Ogden Raptors, the Chukars pitching staff was once again shellacked at home. The squad has allowed at least 12 runs in all three home loses this season


Things were actually looking good for the Chukars early, as they scored two runs in the first and three more in the second to take a 5-0 lead.


Left fielder Tyler Chism and center fielder Darian Sandford each singled to start the first followed by a two-RBI double by first baseman Henry Moreno. In the second the Chukars took advantage of four Orem errors to add on three unearned runs. The embodiment of the inning was right fielder Runey Davis who reached on an error from Orem third baseman Kaleb Cowert, moved to second on an error from centerfielder Brennan Gowens, advanced to third when shortstop Brandon Brewer booted a ball, and finally scored on another error from Cowert.


The Orem onslaught started in the fourth as they scored two runs off of Chukars starting pitcher Spencer Patton. The wheels really fell off the wagon in the fifth however, as the Owlz scored eight runs, three earned, while picking up seven hits and sending 12 men to the plate. Idaho Falls reliever Jose Sanchez was responsible for most of the mayhem, as the lefty recorded only two outs while allowing all of the Orem runs. Sanchez didn't receive much help from his defense either though, as the Chukars committed four errors in the inning, two from Moreno.

Owlz Walk to 6-3 Win Over Chukars

For the fourth time this season the Idaho Falls Chukars failed to come away with a win in front of their home crowd, this time falling to the Orem Owlz 6-3 at Melaleuca Field.


While the Chukars out hit the Owlz 10-8, Orem was able to coax nine walks and were hit by two pitches, resulting in four extra runs.


For the second straight night the Chukars jumped out to a first inning lead, this time thanks to a leadoff double by center fielder Tyler Chism, who eventually came in to score on a wild pitch to put Idaho Falls up 1-0. The two teams would then trade runs in the second inning, with Orem scoring on a walk to right fielder Gary Mitchell and an RBI single from first baseman Jerod Yakubik, and the Chukars thanks to a doubles from third baseman Mark Threlkeld and left fielder Runey Davis.


After Orem tied the score at 2-2 in the third, the teams exchanged runs again in the fourth as Orem shortstop Trevor Hairgrove put his first professional hit over the left field wall for a solo homer, and Chukars shortstop Michael Liberto drove in catcher Edul Escobar with a bases loaded ground out

Owlz Rout Chukars 12-3

The Idaho Falls Chukars failed to earn their first home win of the season again Sunday afternoon, and for the fourth time in five home games surrendered at least 12 runs, as they fell to the Orem Owlz 12-3 at Melaleuca Field.


A day after allowing nine walks, the Idaho Falls hurlers only gave out three free passes. The Owlz instead decided to swing the bats, as they rapped out 22 hits in the win. Orem scored all of their runs in three innings, plating two runs to lead things off in the first then scoring five runs in both the third and fifth frames.


The Chukars offense, meanwhile, did have 12 hits, but 11 of them were singles. Also contributing to the meager offensive output were the four double plays Idaho Falls hit into. The Chukars did score one run in the fifth when second baseman Michael Liberto scored on an RBI single from center fielder Darian Sandford and two in the ninth when catcher Edul Escobar and right fielder Runey Davis came in on bases loaded walks to left fielder Tyler Chism and Sandford.

Peacock pitches tonight


AZL now 2-3
DSL now 15-10

[SubGod22]

A crystal ball look at the Top 40 IF everyone signs and KC adds the international players we think they are on…

From Schaum: I love what Clint did here…I won’t release a new top 40 til July but I think this gives you a real nice “crystal ball” look at what could happen in the near future….



If Kansas City signed all draftpicks and the rumored international signees here is how I would view the Top 40.

I move Derrick Robinson off the list due to lack of performance and the limited spots longterm for him. Jarrod Dyson is the preferred defensive/utility CF in the organization and Lorenzo Cain is the likely longterm CF starting option. Injuries to Crawford Simmons and Patrick Keating move them off the list.

from Schaum: I agree on Robinson, I would still have him in my top 40 though but he just has not progressed the way we hoped he would….

Organizationally I see Kansas City as a Top 5 major league system if they sign their Top 5 picks and their targets internationally but if they miss on a few they could tumble to a Top 10 organization due to so many graduations.

A nice piece about a number of prospects. Must read for anyone who likes to follow the "kids" as much as I do.

The Starting 9

Week of June 19 thru June 25

Our weekly look at the top performers in the Royals Minor league system.

I won’t be putting many rookie league players at the tops of these list but 17th round pick Nic Cuckovich’s performance plus his age (only 19) and profile read like a prospect worth watching. Here is a nice article about him from Baseball America. Two 19 year old Arizona league prospects bookend this list with a few of the usual suspects in between including Buddy Baumann who is making a serious push along with Jake Odorizzi as the Royals pitching prospect of the year. Not many Kane County prospects got a shot to make this list due to only playing 3 games this week but Brian Fletcher’s last game carried him to the 2nd spot on this list.
#1 Nic Cuckovich AZL Royals .524/.583/.667 11-21 3-2b, 6R, 2RBI, 2BB 4SB

[SubGod22]

Omaha and Memphis Split Twin Bill

OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Storm Chasers and Memphis Redbirds split a sun-soaked doubleheader Monday afternoon at Werner Park, with the Chasers (42-37) taking game one 2-1 and Memphis (41-37) rallying to win game two 5-2. The seven-inning contests were played in front of 6,917 fans, the most-ever to watch day baseball at Werner Park.
Game one was a tidy 2-1 victory for the Storm Chasers, backed by yet another solid outing from veteran Jeff Suppan. The 36-year-old righthander improved his record to 7-4 on the season, with wins in each of his past three starts and 10-consecutive outings without a defeat. Jesse Chavez came on with a runner on in the seventh, retiring all three batters he faced to earn his ninth save.

Kila Ka'aihue got the Omaha on the board with a sacrifice fly in the first, and Manny Pina added a solo home run in the second, his third long ball of the year. Pina later doubled and walked, improving his on-base percentage to .348 in 41 games played.

In game two, Omaha took command early once again, only to falter late and see their lead over the Redbirds slip back to just one half-game in the American Conference Northern Division. Irving Falu's RBI single in the third and Mike Aviles' run-scoring base hit in the fifth gave the Chasers a 2-0 lead and brought them to within six outs of victory, but Nick Stavinoha and the Redbirds had other plans.

Mendoza starts tonight


Dwyer will start Thursday for NWA


DRAKE OUTDUELS PIMENTEL AS ROCKS FALL

Frederick, MD - It was an old-fashioned pitchers' duel at Harry Grove Stadium on Monday night. The Wilmington Blue Rocks offense could find no success against Frederick Keys' starter Oliver Drake, while the Keys did virtually nothing against Wilmington pitcher Elisaul Pimentel. Unfortunately for the Blue Crew, virtually nothing is not the same as absolutely nothing and the Keys earned a 2-0 win.
Frederick scored the game's first run during the night's strangest inning. The Keys used two infield singles and a pair of Wilmington errors to take an early 1-0 advantage. Kipp Schutz opened the frame with a soft grounder toward the hole at shortstop. Rey Navarro athletically circled around to glove the ball, but as he rushed his throw to first, the toss sailed over the head of first baseman John Whittleman into the Frederick dugout. Schutz went to second on the error and then advanced to third on Adam Donachie's fly ball to the warning track in right.

Pimentel followed with a pivotal strikeout and was within reach of escaping the jam unscathed until Brian Ward tapped a two-out roller up the third-base line. Deivy Batista charged, but an awkward bounce forced him to hesitate for an instance. The momentary lapse gave Ward the time to beat out Batista's throw for an RBI infield single.

Pimentel would retire the next 13 batters he faced. He finished his night after seven frames, having allowed just the one unearned run while fanning six and walking only one.

Melville gets the call this evening.


KC knocked off the first half champs (Burlington) 4-1 to move to 4-0.


Royals Unable to Capitalize in Bottom of Ninth, and Fall in Home Opener

Down two runs, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Royals managed to load the bases, and brought their big slugger, Murray Watts, to the plate. The first baseman ran the count full, and went down on strikes to end the game, as Burlington Fell to Pulaski, 4-2, in the Royals' first home game of the 2011 season. The Mariners improve their record to 6-1, the best in the Eastern Division of the Appalachian League, while Burlington remains winless, and has lost the first seven games of the year.
Matt Ridings made his second start of the season, and just his second in two years, as he missed last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. The native of Donelson, TN took the loss after giving up three runs on six hits in five innings. He allowed two runs in the top of the third inning when Pulaski shortstop, Bryan Brito, singled to right with men on second and third to put the Mariners up 2-0. Burlington would answer in their next at-bat as Justin Trapp drove in Jovan Pickett on a double to cut the lead in half. It remained a one-run game until the fifth inning when Efrain Nunez homered to center for his second of the year, and returned the spread to two. Andy Ferguson entered the game in the sixth, and surrendered a home run to the first batter he faced, Guillermo Pimentel, who sent his third of the year over the right-center field fence.

The game would take an interesting turn in the bottom of the ninth, as Jared Dyer would lead off with a walk. He'd be followed by two straight outs. Down three runs, Pickett tripled to left center to bring in Dyer and make it a two-run game. Justin Trapp, the tying run, followed with a walk, and stole second to put runners on second and third with two outs, and brought Michael Antonio to the plate as the winning run. Pitcher David Colvin walked the New York native to bring up Watts, and was relieved by Angel Raga. Watts struck out on a full count with the winning run on first to end his 0-for-5 night.

Matt Murray tonight.


Chukuars Finally Win at Home, 11-2 Over Owlz

The Chukars, who had scored a combined 12 runs over the first three games of the series, knocked around a season high 16 hits, five doubles, while scoring their season high in runs. Every Chukars batter reached base at least once, with left fielder Runey Davis continuing his hot hitting going 3-3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Second baseman Daniel Mateo also brought his bat to the park, as the 19-year-old Dominican Republic native went 2-5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored.


Orem actually kicked off the scoring, as the Owlz plated a single run in the top of the third. The Chukars would answer right back however, scoring three in the bottom of the frame with Mateo and third baseman Mark Threlkeld each doubling in a run.


After the Owlz scored once in the top of the fifth to draw within a run, the Chukars rallied for four scores in the bottom half to go up 7-2. Davis and center fielder Tyler Chism reached base on a single and hit-by-pitch respectively to start the inning. Following a passed ball, both runners would come in to score on a 2-RBI base knock by Mateo. After singles from first baseman Dean Espy and Threlkeld, designated hitter Henry Mateo singled in a run. The final tally would come in when right fielder Ysmelin Alcantara hit in to a double play.

AZL lost 11-4. DSL lost 7-1

[SubGod22]

I'm playing catch up today. Spent all yesterday morning dealing with a surprise cash audit while trying to help customers during an uncharacteristically busy wednesday morning.

Trio of Storm Chasers earns All-Star honors

Giavotella has a .323 average with five homers and 53 RBIs as the Storm Chasers' No. 2 hitter. He also leads the league in total chances at second base.

Robinson, who won the Texas League Triple Crown last year, leads the team with a .330 average, 17 homers, 54 RBIs and 54 runs scored. He'll start the All-Star Game as the DH.

Mendoza, a right-hander, leads the PCL with a 2.75 ERA and has a 5-3 record in 22 games including seven starts.

Kila's Walk-Off Slam a Winner for Chasers

OMAHA, Neb. - Down to their final four outs and looking like their 65-day grip on first place was about to come loose, the Omaha Storm Chasers pulled together a late rally and stunned the (still) second-place Memphis Redbirds 6-2 Tuesday afternoon at Werner Park. The knockout punch was delivered by Kila Ka'aiahue, who launched a two out, bottom-of-the-ninth, 3-1 pitch just over the wall in deep right-center to clear the bases and set off the first home plate celebration in Werner Park history.
The two-out rally in the bottom of the eighth was the catalyst to the comeback, sparked by an opposite field double by Clint Robinson. After Joaquin Arias pinch ran and Ka'aihue was walked intentionally, Lorenzo Cain laid off a couple tough pitches before dropping a single into shallow right field to tie the score at 2-2. Robinson and Cain each entered the game hitless in their last four contests, but had a pair of hits in this one.

In the ninth, Manny Pina and Irving Falu started the inning with singles, followed by a beautiful sacrifice bunt by Mike Aviles. Aviles, who homered earlier in the afternoon, now has seven long balls in 18 games with Omaha this season. Johnny Giavotella drew an intentional walk to set up the force at home, and Arias (batting in Robinson's spot) popped to shallow right for the second out. That set up the final at-bat for Ka'aihue, who had yet to hit a home run at Werner Park before his game-winner.

Mazzaro pitches today.


NWA returns to action tonight with Dwyer on the mound.


MELVILLE HELPS WILMINGTON AVOID SWEEP

Frederick, MD - The Wilmington Blue Rocks overcame a leadoff home run by the Frederick Keys, and rode a strong start by Tim Melville along with a clutch eighth-inning dinger by Nick Francis to a 5-2 victory on Tuesday night at Harry Grove Stadium. The win saved Wilmington the indignity of being swept in the three-game set.
The Keys drew first blood with an early, rude greeting for Melville (7-6). Steve Brumbry took his second pitch of the night out of the park in right-center field for a solo homer. Frederick would then load the bases with two down in the first, before Melville escaped the jam by getting Adam Donachie to ground out to third.

Melville cruised through the rest of his outing, finishing one out shy of his longest start of the season. In 6.2 innings pitched the right-hander allowed just one run on seven hits. He fanned six and walked only one.

WILMINGTON OFFENSE FALTERS YET AGAIN

Wilmington saw its best opportunity of the night go by the wayside in Ruiz's final inning of the contest. John Whittleman opened the seventh with a smoked single to center. He moved to second when Yem Prades was hit by a pitch. Joey Lewis followed with a sacrifice bunt that put two men into scoring position with only one out. Ruiz worked his way out of the jam though by fanning Eigsti and getting Hall to bounce back to the mound.

Ruiz's counterpart, Noel Arguelles, matched him pitch for pitch through four innings on Wednesday, but the Cuban left-hander ran into trouble in the fifth. Arguelles (2-3) surrendered a leadoff single to Alex Valdez, and then watched him circle all the way to third on a stolen base and a throwing-error by Eigsti. That set up Derrik Gibson's RBI single, which gave Salem a 1-0 advantage.

Odorizzi throws tonight.


KC is now 5-1 in the 2nd half.


Royals Crowned With First Win

The Burlington Royals opened game two of their series against the Pulaski Mariners on Tuesday night for their second home game of the season. The game lasted nine batters before being suspended for the night due to the storms rolling through the region. Matt Murray started the game for Burlington, and pitched two innings, allowing no hits, and fanning three before the stoppage.
The remainder of the game began at 5:00 PM on Wednesday afternoon. The Royals lead off with their number-four hitter, Murray Watts, while Leonardo Rodriguez took the mound in relief of starter, Luke Taylor, as play resumed. Watts smacked a home run to center field to get the game restarted, and gave Burlington a 1-0 lead over the top team in the Eastern Division. The Royals would hang on, as they went on to their first win of the season by the same score. Pulaski had opportunities, but could not capitalize, going 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position, and leaving 10 runners on base, including men left on second and third, twice. The Mariners had the winning run on third base in the top of the ninth with one out, but could not solve Nick Graffeo, who earned the save, pitching two innings, allowing two hits, and striking out five. Jason Mitchell earned his first career winning, tossing five shutout innings, allowing five hits, two walks, and recording four strikeouts, as he took over when the game resumed Wednesday.

Chukars Score 2 Runs in 9th, Win 5-4

The Idaho Falls Chukars continued their solid play on the road this season, as they scored two runs with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to come from behind and beat the Casper Ghosts 5-4 in their home opener.


The win keeps the Chukars road record perfect at 3-0 to start the year, and marks the second time they've come back to win after trailing in the eighth inning. In fact, in both come-from-behind wins the hero at the plate was "The Roadrunner" Darian Sandford, as Sandford slapped a two-out, 2-RBI triple down the right field line to give the Chukars the lead in the top of the 9th inning.


Prior to that, Idaho Falls had trailed the entire game, starting in the first when the Ghosts scored two runs on three extra base hits to take a 2-0 lead. The Chukars would score a single tally in the top of the second when first baseman Henry Moreno doubled with one out and was eventually driven in on an RBI ground out by shortstop Adrian Martinez.


Casper would put up another two runs in the bottom of the third however, when center fielder David Kandilas reached on an infield single and shortstop Rosell Herrera smoked a 2-run home run over the left field wall, putting the Ghosts up 4-1.


Answering back with a long ball of their own was the Chukars though as center fielder Runey Davis launched a 2-run blast over the center field wall, scoring Martinez and drawing the Chukars to within a run. Davis' blast was just the second Chukars home run of the season.

Chukars Win 6-4 in 6 Innings

Wednesday night's game in Casper, WY may not have lasted a full nine innings, but it counts as a win all the same for the Chukars, as Idaho Falls beat the Ghosts 6-4 in six innings.


The rain shortened win gives the Chukars their first 3-game winning streak of the season and pushes their record back to .500 (5-5) for the second time this year.


Idaho Falls picked up where they left off in Tuesday night's come from behind win, as the Chukars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in first thanks to a 2-run homer from third baseman Mark Threlkeld. The homer, which was Threlkeld's first of the season, was just the third long ball of the year for the Chukars, but their second in consecutive nights. The inning actually never should have gotten to Threlkeld, as the Ghosts shortstop Rosell Herrera booted a ground ball by Chukars first baseman Dean Espy with two outs to extend the inning.


The Chukars would then push their lead to 6-0 by scoring four more runs off of Ghosts starting pitcher Alex Gillingham in the fourth inning. Shortstop Adrain Martinez led off the frame with a single, followed by an RBI triple from Tuesday night's hero Darian Sandford. Sandford would come in to score on an RBI fielder's choice by new Chukars catcher Tyler Smith and after left fielder Tyler Chism reached on an error, Smith would cross the plate on an RBI double from catcher Daniel Mateo. Threlkeld would wrap up the scoring in the fourth with an RBI sacrifice fly to center, scoring Chism.

AZL is currently 2-6 and DSL is currently 16-12 and 1.5 games out of 1st.

[SubGod22]

Roster Update 6/29

A few roster moves were made today.

Rey Navarro Utility SS/2b/3b Wilmington Blue Rocks was promoted to AA NW Arkansas Naturals
Nick Francis OF Wilmington Blue Rocks promoted to AA NW Arkansas

Nick Van Stratten OF NW Arkansas Naturals was moved to High A Wilmington Blue Rocks
Ryan Eigsti C moved from Omaha Storm Chasers to Wilmington Blue Rocks

Alex McClure SS for Wilmington Blue Rocks tweeted to Greg today that he had a couple fractures in his hand. No report whether he will miss any time just yet.

Stovall has also been promoted from KC to Wilmington.

Stovall who plays 1B, 3B, and some OF has been moved up to Wilmington



He is hitting .308 with 8 HR in 201 at bats for Kane County this season

[SubGod22]

Royals promote Odorizzi to Double-A

After giving up five runs over six innings in his start Thursday night, right-hander Jake Odorizzi got the familiar call into his manager's office.
"We started talking about the game, being too fine with pitches in the first inning," said Odorizzi of his chat with Blue Rocks skipper Brian Rupp. "And then he said, 'Think you can get Double-A hitters out? That's where you're going.'"

Odorizzi was promoted by Kansas City after Class A Advanced Wilmington's 5-3 loss to Salem. He's ticketed for Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

"Very excited, this is what everyone wants to do, get moved up and keep on moving up through the organization, and they figure my time is now," Odorizzi said. "I want to keep improving and keep moving up the ladder."

This is great news. I'm hoping that he has some success at NWA this year and makes it up at some point next year.

[SubGod22]

Prospect Robinson focused on what he controls

"Whatever happens, happens," Robinson said. "There's [29] other teams in the Major Leagues other than the Royals. If it came down to it where there wasn't a spot for me in Kansas City, but they found a way, they could make a trade for me to bring them a prospect to fill a need for them, that's what I'm going to do. My job is to make it to the Major Leagues. By worrying about who's in front of me, who's behind me, who's doing this and who's getting the opportunity that I'm not, that's no way to play."

That's not to say he wants to be traded. Rather, he just knows how these things usually end up working out. The Royals will do what's best for the organization, and hopefully that will be what's best for Robinson.

So long as he continues to dominate opposing pitchers, a move will be made one way or another. And to see former teammates like Hosmer and Mike Moustakas enjoy Major League success? It not only motivates Robinson, but illustrates how closely-knit this next wave of talent coming up is.

"It just makes me want it that much more, to be up there and enjoy that time with them, and to hopefully bring championships to Kansas city and contend for division titles," Robinson said. "It's a motivation factor; it drives me, and it drives the rest of the guys."

I hope this guy gets a shot soon. I know the odds are against him being in KC but he should probably get a chance with someone, somewhere.

[SubGod22]

Chasers Start Weekend Fireworks with 18-13 Win

OMAHA, Neb. - Werner Park and the Omaha Storm Chasers will host three fireworks shows this Friday through Sunday, but the team didn't mind getting the Independence Weekend party started early. Kila Ka'aihue, Lorenzo Cain, Johnny Giavotella, Mike Aviles and Irving Falu each hit home runs, sending 6,516 partisan fans home happy Thursday night after an 18-13 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes.
The big inning of the night was the bottom of the sixth, which began with Omaha trailing 12-8. The Storm Chasers would send 12 men to the plate in the frame, with Aviles getting things started with a one out solo homer, his eighth long ball in 19 games with the Chasers. Eight batters later it was No. 9 hitter Falu - without a home run to his credit all season - belting a three-run blast onto the rightfield berm to make it 16-12 Omaha.

The 18 runs, five homers and eight-run inning were all season highs for the Storm Chasers, as were the 10 walks the Omaha pitching staff allowed. Starter Vin Mazzaro came away with a no-decision, despite allowing eight runs on eight hits with six walks in four-plus innings. The game was so wild that the winning pitcher turned out to be Kevin Pucetas (5-4), who entered the game with an 8-6 lead and threw his final pitch with a 12-8 deficit. Robinson Tejeda and Brandon Sisk eventually put an end to the madness, striking out six batters without allowing a hit over the final 2.1 innings.

Monty takes the hill tonight.


Missions jump out early, beat Naturals

SPRINGDALE, AR - The San Antonio Missions entered the game with the best record in minor league baseball, and looked the part as they used a five-run second to propel themselves over the Naturals by an 8-2 final Thursday at Arvest Ballpark.
Naturals' starter Chris Dwyer (2-8) got into trouble early, as he issued four walks and uncorked a pair of wild pitches during a short 1 2/3 inning outing, which didn't help the cause against San Antonio (5-2, 54-23), the league's best hitting club.

Miner throws tonight.


ODORIZZI FALLS IN HIS FINAL OUTING WITH WILMINGTON

Wilmington, DE - Jake Odorizzi turned in his second-worst outing as a Wilmington Blue Rock. Turns out, it was his last in a Blue Crew uniform. The right-hander allowed five runs (four earned) in six innings pitched as the Wilmington Blue Rocks fell to the Salem Red Sox on Thursday night, 5-3. Odorizzi learned after the game he had been promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
The Carolina League All-Star's Thursday night did not begin as sweet. Bryce Brentz's second home run in as many days jumped Salem to a 3-0 lead in the opening inning. Odorizzi (5-4) had yielded consecutive singles to Kolbrin Vitek and Jorge Padron. He then fell behind Brentz, 2-1, and watched the right fielder send one well beyond the deep-right-center fence.

A Wilmington offense that had been shutout three times over its previous five games, wasted little time authoring a response. The Rocks plated a pair in their first trip to the plate. Salem starter Chris Hernandez retired the first two batters he faced with ease. But Nick Van Stratten triggered a two-out rally with his liner to left-center. Wilmington then got aggressive, playing hit and run with John Whittleman, who bounced a single into left. Yem Prades followed with an RBI knock to left that scored Van Stratten and made it, 3-1.

Marks starts.


Kane County wins again....Something does seem right.


Burlington Can't Hold Lead, Falls in Series Opener to Bristol

The Burlington Royals blew a four-run lead to the Bristol White Sox in a 10-6 loss on Thursday night at DeVault Memorial Field. The loss drops the Royals to 1-9, while the White Sox improve to 5-5. Malcom Culver, who entered the game in the seventh, gave up four runs, and takes the loss. Andrew Virgili earned the win for Bristol, also entered in the seventh, and allowed one hit in his only inning of work.
Burlington got off to a hot start taking the lead in the top of the first behind a home run from Justin Trapp, his third of the year, and from an RBI double from Jin-Ho Shin, that scored Jose Rodriguez. Leading 2-0 in the top of the fifth inning, the Royals struck again, as with a man on, Murray Watts homered to right, to put the road team up by four. In the home half of the inning, the White Sox answered on a two-run home run from Michael Johnson. In Burlington's next at-bat, the Royals would rally with two outs to add to their lead. Trapp would score on a single from Rodriguez, who was knocked in on a double from Michael Antonio. The White Sox would battle back to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth, and take the lead in the seventh, before adding three runs in the bottom of the eighth to put the game out of reach.

Italian, Andrea Pizziconi, made his first start of the year and went five innings, giving up two runs on five hits. He left the game on track to receive the win. In relief, Burlington struggled, with Eric Cantrell and Culver combined to pitch two and two third innings, and gave up eight runs on seven hits. Andy Ferguson struck out the only batter he faced relieving Ferguson. The Royals were led at the plate by Antonio who went 3-for-5. Shin and Rodriguez each recorded two hits, while Trapp's only hit came in the form of his first inning home run.

Chukars Win Wild Game 7-6 in 10 Innings

The Idaho Falls Chukars won their fourth straight game in wild fashion Thursday night, as the club survived a ninth inning meltdown only to beat the Casper Ghosts 7-6 in 10 innings.


The Chukars, who pushed their record over .500 for the first time this season with the win, trailed by two runs in the fifth inning, led by three runs in the eighth inning, barely escaped a ninth inning rally by the Ghosts and were saved yet again by a 2-out Darian Sandford RBI hit to finally win in 10 innings.

Robert Penny pitching this evening.


AZL loses again. DSL falls short as well.

I'm hoping to get some stats up today as well. It's Friday so who knows...

[SubGod22]

Stats as of June 30th. Also, there are some new names on the list. I went back and looked at Top 10 picks from the last few years and if they're still around I added them. Of course, I may have missed a few and as always, let me know if there's someone you'd like me to look up.

Omaha:
Aviles - (19 games) .333, 16 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 14 RBI
Clint Robinson - .331, 55 R, 21 2B, 17 HR, 54 RBI
Giavotella - .327, 47 R, 23 2B, 1 3B, 6 HR, 56 RBI, 9 SB
Ka'aihue - .312, 25 R, 9 2B, 6 HR, 37 RBI
Lough - .308, 51 R, 18 2B, 6 3B, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 9 SB
Falu - .306, 26 R, 5 2B, 5 3B, 1 HR, 22 RBI
Cain - .303, 46 R, 19 2B, 5 3B, 9 HR, 43 RBI, 8 SB
Zawadzki - .255, 24 R, 11 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 11 SB
Pina - .222, 19 R, 6 2B, 3 HR, 12 RBI

Monty - 2-4, 5.83, 15G/15S, 78.2 IP, 46 BB/65K
Mendoza - 5-3, 2.75, 22/7, 75.1, 2 SV, 29/33
Pucetas - 5-4, 5.55, 17/11, 71.1, 26/46
Mazzaro - 4-0, 4.97, 10/10, 54.1, 28/51
Chavez - 2-3, 4.04, 27/0, 9 SV, 35.2, 12/25
Hardy - 2-3, 7.14, 23/0, 29.0, 19/23
Jeffress - 2-3, 6.05, 12/3, 1 SV, 19.1, 13/18

NWA:
LF Tim Smith - .294, 33 R, 10 3B, 2 3B, 8 HR, 39 RBI
Seratelli - .292, 56 R, 6 2B, 4 3B, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 18 SB
Myers - .289, 24 R, 12 2B, 3 HR, 18 RBI
Bianchi - .272, 29 R, 17 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 32 RBI
Perez - .263, 23 R, 9 2B, 4 HR, 14 RBI
D. Robinson - .256, 33 R, 3 2B, 2 3B, 8 RBI, 27 SB
Nick Francis - (19) .254, 8 R, 3 2B, 4 RBI - Recently promoted from Wilmington where he put up some nice numbers.
Colon - .253, 37 R, 7 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 35 RBI, 12 SB
Lisson - .247, 36 R, 13 2B, 11 HR, 29 RBI
C Ben Theriot - (24) .215, 4 R, 5 2B, 3 HR, 14 RBI
Rey Navarro - Just promoted to AA and went 0-3 in his only game. Had an impressive run at High A.

Will Smith - 5-7, 4.52, 15/15, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 81.2, 26/46
Dwyer - 2-8, 6.16, 15/15, 2 CG, 73.0, 43/65
Baumann - 3-2, 4.08, 17/8, 1 SV, 57.1, 26/54
Keating - 2-3, 5.02, 22/0, 7 SV, 28.2, 6/34
Herrera - 2-0, 1.61, 15/0, 4 SV. 22.1, 1/28 - After 8 dominating performances in Wilmington he was moved up to AA. He'll play in the futures game.
K. Chapman - 0-0, 0.71, 7/0, 12.2, 4/16. Recently promoted from Wilmington
Harold Mozingo - 1-0, 12.75, 7/0, 12.0, 8/9

Wilmington:
Van Stratten - (1) .500, 1 R, 1 3B, 1 SB. Recently sent down from NWA.
Yem Prades - .293, 9 R, 9 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI 5 SB
Whit Merrifield - .263, 41 R, 16 2B, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 14 SB
John Whittleman - .235, 30 R, 17 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 36 RBI
Tim Ferguson - .204, 29 R, 7 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 24 RBI

Melville - 7-6, 4.23, 15/15, 78.2, 24/56
Odorizzi - 5-4, 2.87, 15/15, 78.1, 22/103 - Promoted to AA but hasn't played yet. (7/7?)
Pimentel - 4-5, 3.72, 13/13, 1 CG, 75.0, 17/54
Marks - 3-5, 4.97, 15/9, 2 CG, 70.2, 16/67
Sample - 5-5, 4.46, 14/10, 68.2, 25/43
Arguelles - 2-3, 2.32, 13/13, 66.0, 5/41
Mariot - 5-1, 2.91, 16/2, 4 SV, 46.1, 13/38
Lafferty - 2-2, 3.90, 14/0, 1 SV, 32.1, 11/23
Paukovits - 0-1, 3.38, 14/0, 1 SV, 29.1, 6/20
Ryan Dennick - 1-2, 3.60, 18/0, 3 SV, 25.0, 5/27
Odenbach - 2-0, 1.93, 6/0, 14.0, 6/11 - Recently promoted from KC

Kane County
LF Brian Fletcher - .327, 23 R, 12 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 29 RBI
3B Cheslor Cuthbert - .307, 14 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 16 RBI
3B Ryan Stovall - .307, 27 R, 15 2B, 5 3B, 8 HR, 31 RBI - Just promoted to Wilmington
OF Lane Adams - They have him last playing in KC on June 2 and show him in Burlington with no games played. Wasn't doing all that great at KC.
Eibner - .227, 10 R, 1 2B, 6 HR, 12 RBI - Played in 18 games now after returning from injury.
OF Alex Llanos - .220, 30 R, 13 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 26 RBI

Leonel Santiago 6-6, 2.90, 15/15, 93.0, 16/79
Leondy Perez - 2-7, 2.85, 14/14, 79.0, 15/59
Sugar Ray Marimon - 3-5, 3.68, 13/13, 66.0, 20/54
Greg Billo - 5-1, 1.64, 15/6, 1 SV, 65.2, 14/66
Jason Adam - 2-3, 4.11, 9/9, 46.0, 14/40
Yordano Ventura - 2-3, 5.26, 9/9, 39.1, 14/42
Chas Byrne - 1-1, 3.50, 22/0, 5 SV, 36.0, 6/35
Chase Boruff - 4-1, 1.34, 22/0, 1 SV, 33.2, 12/32
Crawford Simmons - 0-3, 6.97, 3/2, 10.1, 6/12 - Currently on DL

Burlington: Not even 2 weeks in yet...
SS Michael Antonio - .371, 6 R, 5 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI
LF Jovan Pickett - .353, 2 R, 1 3B, 2 RBI

Matt Ridings - 0-2, 6.75, 2/2, 9.1, 2/6
Jason Mitchell - 1-1, 4.00, 2/0, 9.0, 4/10
Nick Graffeo - 0-1, 2.08, 3/0, 1 SV, 8.2, 1/13
Tyler Graham - 0-0 , 1.13, 2/0, 8.0, 2/9
Malcom Culver - 0-1, 5.14, 4/0, 7.0, 2/8
Matthew Murray - 0-0, 1.80, 2/2, 5.0, 0/8
Eric Cantrell - 0-1, 12.60, 2/1, 5.0, 5/5
Robinson Yambati - 0-2, 45.00, 2/2, 3.0, 3/2
Burlington got off to a rough start...

Idaho Falls: Also not even two weeks in...
2B Luis Piterson - .500, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI
OF Runey Davis - .429, 11 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI
SS Daniel Mateo - .375, 3 R, 3 2B, 5 RBI
C Edul Escobar - .344, 2 R, 3 2B, 1 RBI
2B Michael Liberto - .333, 1 R, 1 RBI
OF Darian Sandford - .324, 5 R, 2 3B, 8 RBI
OF Tyler Chism - .297, 10 R, 3 2B, 1 3B, 4 RBI

Brennon Martin - 1-0 , 3.21, 2/2, 14.0, 0/12
Brian Peacock - 0-0, 3.00, 2/1, 1 SV, 9.0, 1/8
Spencer Patton - 0-0, 3.12, 3/2, 8.2, 2/12
Aaron Brooks - 1-0, 3.38, 2/1, 8.0, 0/7
Edwin Carl - 1-0, 0.00, 3/0, 1 SV, 4.0, 1/8
Kellen Moen - 1-0, 27.00, 2/0, 2.1, 2/3

AZL Royals - Only been playing a few weeks...
OF Anthony Howard - .500, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI
C Travis Lane - .435, 6 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI
OF Jerico Blanco - .429, 4 R, 1 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI
SS Nicholas Cuckovich - .417, 9 R, 4 2B, 5 RBI
SS Nick DelGuidice - .400, 8 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI
OF D'Andre Toney - .316, 2 R, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI

Eric Diaz - 0-3, 9.53, 3/3, 11.1, 5/11
Ezequiel Amador - 1-0, 3.00, 3/0, 9.0, 3/7
Andrew Stueve - 0-0, 1.08, 4/0, 8.1, 0/9
Nathan Johnson - 0-0, 2.57, 4/0, 1 SV, 7.0, 0/6
Cesar Ogando - 0-1, 12.00, 1/1, 3.0, 2/4

DSL Royals: Been playing longer than the other short season teams.
OF Alfredo Patino - .325, 12 R, 3 2B, 9 RBI
C Luis Villegas - .278, 9 R, 3 2B, 1 HR, 13 RBI

Sergio Roasario - 2-0, 1.50, 6/6, 1 CG, 30.0, 7/40
Miguel Perdomo - 1-2 , 3.62, 6/5, 27.1, 6/16
Yender Caramo - 4-1, 1.11, 5/4, 24.1, 2/17
Jossiel Martinez - 3-0, 2.95, 6/0, 1 SV, 18.1, 3/16
Frankelis Diaz - 0-2, 4.60, 4/2, 15.2, 2/16

I think that pretty much covers it.... I'm tired.

[SubGod22]

Blake Johnson has been released

[SubGod22]

Montgomery bounces back on birthday

Mike Montgomery picked a perfect night to show up the competition.
Pitching in front of his parents and grandparents on his 22nd birthday, the Royals prospect limited the Albuquerque Isotopes to two hits over 6 2/3 innings Friday as the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers cruised to a 6-0 victory.

Coming off an outing in which he surrendered nine runs on 10 hits over three innings, MLB.com's No. 9 prospect struck out seven while walking three.

"I was real happy because I had been struggling a bit of late," Montgomery said. "It's nice to go out there and pitch a good game, and the team overall played a good game. We had a big home run in [the third inning]. We got a lead and after that, I was trying to protect it -- get ahead early and throw strikes."

Selected with the 36th overall pick in the 2008 Draft, Montgomery posted a 2.61 ERA across three levels last season. He has experienced some growing pains transitioning to Triple-A, compiling a 5.38 ERA through 16 starts.

Mike & Mike Provide 1-2 Punch in Shutout Win

OMAHA, Neb. - Mike Montgomery celebrated his 22nd birthday in style, throwing 6 2-3 shutout innings en route to a 6-0 blanking of the Albuquerque Isotopes Friday night at Werner Park. Shortstop Mike Aviles provided Montgomery and the bullpen all the offense they would need, belting a third-inning grand slam to put the Chasers up for good.
It was the Storm Chasers third win in a row, each of which have come in dramatically different types of ballgames. First it was Kila Ka'aihue's walk-off grand slam on Tuesday to beat Memphis 6-2, then Thursday's 18-13 slugfest against the Isotopes that featured nine home runs. This time it was the California Cool performance of Montgomery, who showed no rust after taking a start off.

The 6-foot-4 lefthander allowed just a pair of singles, walked three and struck out seven over 98 pitches. He exited to a standing ovation from many of the 6,805 in attendance, improving his record to 3-4 on the season. It was Montgomery's first home win since his first home start all the way back on April 17 against Nashville. Mario Santiago and Jesse Chavez retired seven of the eight batters they faced to finish off the ballgame.

Aviles continued to dominate Triple-A pitching, belting a home run in his third consecutive game and ninth in 20 total contests with the Storm Chasers. In addition to his nine long balls, Aviles has driven in 18 runs, scored 17 times and boosted his batting average to .342 with a nine-game hitting streak. He has also played 15-straight games of flawless defense at short, taking part in two double plays in Friday's game.

SOS throws tonight.


Naturals unable to come through in clutch

SPRINGDALE, AR - The Naturals were able to get 11 hits off of San Antonio starter Jorge Reyes and five Missions relievers, but couldn't break through for a big inning as they fell 4-1 Friday night at Arvest Ballpark.
Sloppy baserunning also contributed to the Naturals' woes, as did a 2-for-11 mark with runners in scoring position. Northwest Arkansas (1-7, 36-39) left nine runners stranded on the basepaths, had two thrown out on the bases and one cut down at home plate.

It looked like the Naturals would break out with a start in the first inning against Reyes, who was on a limited pitch count after pitching an inning in Wednesday's Texas League All-Star Game. Christian Colon and Wil Myers hit back-to-back singles with one out, and, after Reyes fanned Anthony Seratelli, Jeff Bianchi followed with an opposite field single. Colon attempted to score on the play but was gunned down by Missions' right fielder Daniel Robertson.

Again, the Naturals seemed to miss an opportunity in the second. Salvador Perez led off with a single and Jamie Romak drew a walk, but Reyes fanned Rey Navarro looking and induced an inning-ending twin killing off the bat of Nick Francis to escape the threat.

Smith on the mound tonight.


ROCKS ESCAPE WITH WIN TO AVOID SWEEP

Wilmington, DE - The Wilmington Blue Rocks walked a tightrope on Friday night. The Blue Crew pitching staff stranded 13 Salem runners on base and held the Red Sox to a feeble 1-for-13 showing with runners in scoring position. As a result, Wilmington snuck out of Frawley Stadium with a 3-0 victory to avoid being swept in the three-game set.
Justin Marks began the magic act on the hill for the Rocks. Marks worked a perfect opening inning, but needed a man gunned down at the plate to avoid damage in the second. With runners at first and second and only one out, Josue Peley flared a sinking liner to right that a charging Nick Van Stratten overran. Deivy Batista was hustling the whole way from his second base position however. The infielder picked the ball up in shallow right and nailed Miles Head trying to score at the plate.

It set the tone for what would be a maddening night for Salem. The Sox put their first two runners on in the third, but Marks (4-5) retired three straight to end the frame. In the fifth, Salem loaded the bases on three Marks' walks, but the lefty fanned his final batter of the night to preserve the scoreless tie.

Marks got the win by tossing five scoreless frames. He fanned seven but issued four free passes in the process.

Pimentel gets the start tonight.


KC loses 4-6


Offense Explodes and Powers Burlington to Second Win

The Burlington Royals pounded the Bristol White Sox on Friday night by a score of 13-3. Burlington scored a season high 13 runs and tied their second lowest total in runs allowed. Tyler Graham receives the win, while Jean Duque is tagged with the loss for Bristol. The win is the second of the season for the Royals, who are now 2-9, and the loss drops Bristol below .500, with a 5-6 record.
Burlington got on the scoreboard early as Justin Trapp tripled to lead off the game, and would score two batters later on a sacrifice fly from Michael Antonio. Kevan Smith homered for Bristol in the bottom of the second to tie the game before the Royals broke things open. In the top of the third, Burlington would load the bases off of two infield singles and an error on a sacrifice attempt. Antonio would walk to score a run and bring up Murray Watts, who hit a grand slam to right field. For Watts, it's his sixth home run of the season, and it gave his team a 6-1 lead. The Royals weren't done in the inning, as Jovan Pickett would single home two runs, followed by back-to-back doubles from Trapp and Jose Rodriguez that would add an additional run. In the inning, Burlington batted around, plus four, and posted nine runs, for a 10-1 lead.

As per usual, no idea who's starting.


Chukars Drop Final Road Game 7-4

The Idaho Falls Chukars finally lost a road game this season, as they fell to the Casper Ghosts 7-4 at Mike Lansing Field.

The Chukars , who had won their first five contests away from home, committed three more errors in the game resulting in four unearned runs. Idaho Falls now has a Pioneer League high 29 miscues on the season.

Casper wasted little time in staking a lead in the game, as left fielder Francisco Sosa's RBI double scored a run in the first inning to put the Ghosts up 1-0. The Ghosts would make it 3-0 in the third thanks to a 2-run homerun from right fielder Robert De La Cruz.

The Chukars would finally break through in the fourth when first baseman Dean Espy hit a solo homer to left for his first long ball of the year.

The bottom of the fourth, however, is when the Chukars defense began to fall apart. The Ghosts scored three runs in the frame, all of them unearned, thanks to two Idaho Falls errors.

Same as with Burlington...


DSL lost 5-9