Royals Rookie Ball Weekly Recap

The big news concerning the KC Royals rookie level affiliates was the professional debut of last June’s top pick, Bubba Starling, with Burlington. His debut came with some around the social media world calling him a bust (0-for-5 with three strikeouts). The very next day, he collected his first hit in his first at-bat. In three professional games, he is 2-for-11 with two runs scored, two RBIs, and three walks.

Burlington went 3-4 this past week.

Outside of Starling, catcher Cameron Gallagher returned to the Royals lineup. In his first two games back from the catcher’s interference injury, he went 4-for-10 with two RBIs.

A few 2012 draft picks have been playing well for the Royals. Kenny Diekroeger is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, as he went 9-for-26 (.346) with three homeruns, four runs scored, and seven RBIs. Starter Colin Rodgers made two starts and allowed two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings.

Idaho Falls also went just 3-4 over the past week.

Andrew Ferguson made two starts for the Chukars and allowed just two runs over those outings. In 12.2 innings, he allowed seven hits and three walks while striking out 12. Alec Mills, a 2012 draft pick out of Tennessee Martin, made two relief appearances (totaling 3.1 innings). He allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four.

Ethan Chapman, another 2012 draft pick for the Royals (out of Cal State San Bernardino), has been on a tear. He is currently in the midst of a six-game hitting streak. Over the past week, Chapman was 13-for-28(.464) with five runs scored. He has struck out just once. Rainier Bello started the week very hot, by going 4-for-9 with five RBIs in the first two games.

Parker Morin is in the midst of a three-game hitting streak, where he is 7-for-12 (.583) with two doubles, a triple, a homerun, four runs scored, and four RBIs. His homerun came off former UNC closer Mike Morin (who was also a 2012 draft pick). Adalberto Mondesi, the son of Raul Mondesi, posted three multi-hit games this week and overall went 8-for-26 (.308) with five runs scored.