Royals Weekly Rookie Ball Recap

Burlington went 4-5 (they played two doubleheaders last week), but still won the East Division of the Appalachian League. The Royals continue their series in Bristol tonight.

The All-Stars in the Appy League were also announced this week and three Royals were named to the list. Patrick Leonard was named Third Baseman of the Year. He is tied for first in the league with 14 homeruns and is tied for third in RBIs. He had just three hits last week (3-for-26). Mark Threlkeld was named the DH of the Year. He is hitting .282 with ten homeruns and 40 RBIs. He went 6-for-29 (.207) last week (he played in all nine games). Bubba Starling made the year-end All-Star team as a utility outfielder. He is hitting .283 with ten homeruns and 33 RBIs to go along with ten stolen bases. He went 6-for-19 (.316) last week. Tommy Shields was named Manager of the Year.

On the pitching front, the Royals have a few pitchers who are having solid seasons. Mark Peterson carries a 6-0 record with a 1.16 ERA into the season’s final week. Last week in three appearances (totaling 5.2 innings), he allowed two unearned runs on two hits while striking out seven. Daniel Stumpf has just a 0.94 ERA with five saves. In two appearances last week (two innings), he allowed two hits while striking out three. John Walter leads the Royals in saves with nine (and has a 2.36 ERA). His nine saves are second in the Appy League. In two appearances last week (totaling 2.2 innings), he did not allow a base runner while striking out four.

Despite losing his last start, Christian Binford has pitched well (2.03 ERA in eight starts). In his last start, he allowed just one run on four hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out six. He is a Tommy John survivor, as he had it during his sophomore year of high school.

Idaho Falls went 3-4 last week and sit in last place in the South Division of the Pioneer League at 14-14 (though they are just 2.5 games back with ten to play). The Chukars have off today before their short two-game home series against Grand Junction.

Ethan Chapman has been “the” offensive star for the Chukars this season, despite his recent struggles (8 for his last 30). He is hitting .315 and is second in the league with 21 stolen bases (compared to just seven caught stealings). Chapman is also third in the league in triples with eight. He also has 28 walks compared to 36 strikeouts in 241 at-bats. Third baseman Diego Goris is in the midst of a 13-game hitting streak. Last week, he went 9-for-25 (.360) with six runs scored and five RBIs. Catcher Jin-Ho Shin went 5-for-18 (.278) with five RBIs.

2012 second round draft pick Sam Selman was named the Pioneer League’s Pitcher of the Year. He currently leads the league in ERA (2.11) and strikeouts (84), while carrying a 5-3 record. He has lost his last three starts and has struggled in his last two. Over those two starts last week (totaling eight innings), he allowed ten runs (six earned) on nine hits and six walks while striking out 11.