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.

Selman is listed at 6’3″ and 190 lbs. from Austin, Texas.  He sports a fastball that ranges from 90-95 mph and also offers a slider and change up that both need some polishing up.  He certainly has the potential to be a power arm from the left side for the Royals in a few years.  It’s important for him to continue his development and throw more innings as he refines his delivery to one that is a bit more consistent.  One of his down falls throughout his collegiate career was the lack of consistency in his delivery and the walks that would follow.  It would seem as if he may have found a remedy as he has allowed only 16 walks through his first 47.1 professional innings pitched.

It’s still to be determined how fast Selman could rise through the minors, but he’s definitely pushing for his next promotion right now.  Selman is completely dominating the Pioneer League this summer.  His last 5 starts he has thrown 27 innings and tallied up 46 strikeouts while only allowing 11 walks and 13 hits.  These are some astonishing numbers and have to delight Royals fans who are constantly looking for promising young pitchers to someday grace the mound at Kauffman Stadium.

I already like the pick of the young Austin, Texas native.  In my opinion, drafting Selman was well worth it.  He shows tremendous upside and only has a few tweaks to make to his game, the most important being the consistency of his delivery.  While, like most pitchers, his secondary pitches need a little work, they are still very formidable for the lower minor leagues.  However, to hold up in the upper minors and in the big leagues, he will need his slider to be sharper and his changeup to fade.  This should come with more seasoning in the minors and more repetition.

I’m hoping to give Selman the praise he deserves so far, as well as bring his name to light to other Royals fans.  I’m very excited we had the opportunity to take this kid, and I’d love to see him turn into a great number 2 or 3 starter for us down the line.  Realistically, I think that will be his calling as he continues to develop into a very promising young hurler.  Also feel free to give Sam a follow on his twitter page @crazylegsselman

Burlington

Mark Threlkheld has cracked the top ten in hitting in the Appy League (tenth) with a .294 batting average. He has 33 RBIs, which ranks him ninth (in a tie). He went 6-for-23 (.261) with five runs scored and four RBIs. Patrick Leonard is tied for second in the Appy League in RBIs with 42 and dropped to second place in homeruns with 13 (he hit just one last week). He did hit .333 (8-for-24) last week. Fred Ford is third with 12 homeruns (one of his three hits last week).

It was another tough week for prospect Bubba Starling. He went 4-for-23 (.174) with 12 strikeouts.

Daniel Hernandez is ninth in the Appy League in ERA (3.64) and he leads the Royals in innings pitched (59.1 innings). He’s been getting roughed up a bit as of late. Last week, he allowed six runs on 11 hits over two starts (12.2 innings). The strikeout to walk ratio still continues to be great (13 to 2 last week). Yender Caramo is right behind Hernandez in innings pitched (59). Last week, he made one start and allowed just one run over six innings. He did allow nine hits, but did not walk a batter while striking out four.

Reliever Daniel Stumpf has been dominant throughout the 2012 season for the Royals. It was no different in his two appearances last week. Over four innings, he allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four.

Idaho Falls went 3-4 last week. The Chukars are tied for second place in the South Division of the Pioneer League at 11-10. They also return home for a nine-game homestand (around an off day). Of the Chukars losses last week, only one was by more than three runs.

The top offensive performers for the Chukars have cooled off a bit. Ethan Chapman dropped to .322, as he only played in three games (3-for-11 with four RBIs). Nick DelGuidice dropped his average to .298, as he 4-for-17 with three RBIs. Adalberto Mondesi‘s average dropped to .285 after going just 4-for-26 with 13 strikeouts.

The one positive on offense for the Chukars last week was third baseman Diego Goris. He went 7-for-20 (.350) with seven runs scored and six RBIs.

Check out MiLB’s feature on 2012 second round draft pick Sam Selman, who leads the Pioneer League in ERA (1.31) and strikeouts (73). In his one start last week (August 14th), he allowed one run on five hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out 11.

Cory Hall made two relief appearances last week and allowed three hits over 2.1 scoreless innings. He struck out three.

Burlington

Outfielder Alex Hudak joined the Royals from the AZL and has been on fire over his first six games. He went 7-for-16 with four doubles, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Bubba Starling has struggled a bit at the plate, as he went 6-for-25 (.240) with a double, a homerun, two runs scored, and four RBIs. He struck out 12 times and broke his strikeout streak on Sunday (six straight games).

Patrick Leonard still leads the Appy League in homeruns with 12 (though there is now a tie). Fred Ford is third with 11 and Kenny Diekroeger and Starling are tied for fourth with eight homeruns. Terrance Gore still leads the league in stolen bases with 27 and has only been caught twice. He also leads the league in runs scored with 41.

John Walter made three appearances this past week and picked up two saves (he now has eight). Two of those appearances (2.1 innings) were perfect. Over 4.1 innings, he allowed one run on two hits while striking out two.

Idaho Falls sits in second base in the second half (9-8), one game back in the South Division of the Pioneer League. The Chukars went 4-2 last week. They begin a seven-game road trip against Billings tonight.

Ethan Chapman continues to be the Chukars top hitter (.325), but struggled last week (5-for-27). Adalberto Mondesi has surged over .300 (.307 to be exact). He went 8-for-22 (.364) last week with five runs scored. Shortstop Nick DelGuidice has also surged over .300 (.308). He went 9-for-19 (.474) with four doubles, a triple, five runs scored, and six RBIs.

2012 draft pick Sam Selman leads the Pioneer League in strikeouts with 62 (compared to just 15 walks). He made one start last week and allowed just one hit and two walks over five scoreless innings. He struck out 11.

Joe Lopez made two appearances for the Chukars last week. He allowed three hits over four shutout innings of relief. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Burlington went 2-4 this past week. Despite the losing record over the week, the Royals still sit atop the East Division of the Appalachian League at 27-13 (good for a four game lead). They finish up their series with Pulaski today.

There is still no hitter hitting above .300, but uber-prospect Bubba Starling is the closest at .298. Over the last week, he went 8-for-25 (.320) with three homeruns and five RBIs. The strikeouts are still an issue (eight in 25 at-bats). He now has seven homeruns total.

Speaking of homeruns, Fred Ford hit another one this week to tie teammate Patrick Leonard atop the leaderboard in the Appalachian League with 11. Leonard now has 32 RBIs, which ranks him fifth. Ford has watched his average climb to .281, as he went 6-for-18 (.333) this past week. Kenny Diekroeger also hit another homerun, his eighth, to keep him fourth in the league.

Mark Threlkeld had a big game on August 2nd in the Royals 15-5 win. He went 4-for-6 with five RBIs.

Colin Rodgers now qualifies for the top pitching categories with his 34.1 innings pitched. He is second in the league with a 1.83 ERA in eight starts. The third round pick of the Royals this past June has allowed just 21 hits and one homerun so far in his professional debut.

Idaho Falls went 3-4 this past week. In the second half, the Chukars are 4-4, good for a tie for second place in the South Division of the Pioneer League. They finished the first half in third place at 17-21. They begin a three-game series tonight against Ogden.

Ethan Chapman has raised his average to .347, but dropped to ninth in the league in batting average. He continues to be the Chukars leading hitter. This past week, he went 10-for-27 (.370) with six runs scored.

Sam Selman lowered his ERA to 1.49, but struggled with his control in his last start. He allowed an unearned run on two hits over four innings with seven strikeouts. The problem was, he walked five. Fellow 2012 draft pick Alec Mills made two solid starts last week. Over 11 innings, he allowed four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out 13. Unfortunately, he picked up a loss on Sunday.

Two back end relievers have been pitching well: Joe Lopez and Cory Hall. They have combined for five saves. In two relief outings last week, Lopez allowed just three hits over four scoreless innings. He struck out five. Hall allowed just one hit over 2.2 innings while striking out four (three appearances).

Despite the successful week, the Royals do not have a .300 hitter. They do, however, hit homeruns. Patrick Leonard leads the league with 11. He also has 29 RBIs, which ranks him sixth in the league. Teammate Fred Ford is second with ten homeruns. Kenny Diekroeger is fourth with seven. Terrance Gore gives the team some speed, as he leads the league with 18 stolen bases (he has been caught twice). That speed has led to him leading the league in runs scored (31).

Daniel Hernandez and Patrick Conroy have anchored the starting rotation (they are a combined 5-0). Hernandez is 8th in the league in ERA (2.70 in seven starts). Conroy carries a 3.27 ERA in five starts (seven appearances). The two have combined for 59 strikeouts and just 12 walks in 69.2 innings.

In 12 relief appearances, John Walter is tied for second in the league in saves with six. He is also 3-0 with a 2.35 ERA. Walter has struck out 22 in 15.1 innings.

And for all of you out there who want to know how THE prospect is doing, Bubba Starling is hitting .292 with four doubles, two triples, four homeruns, 20 runs scored, and 18 RBIs. The strikeouts have been a bit of an issue (29 in 96 at-bats compared to 15 walks).

Idaho Falls wasn’t as successful as Burlington, but they ended up with a 6-6 record. The Chukars finished the first half with a 17-21 record (third place). The second half in the Pioneer League has just begun and the Chukars are 1-0, good for a tie of first place in the South Division.

Ethan Chapman is the Chukars top hitter, as he ranks eighth in the league in hitting (.342). The outfielder brings the speed: he has five triples, 30 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. His strikeout to walk ratio is also good (17 walks to 21 strikeouts). He is in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak.

Their catching combination of Parker Morin and Jin-Ho Shin have been putting up respectable numbers. Morin is hitting .280 in 28 games, while Shin is hitting .279 in 34 games. Shin leads the team in homeruns (four) and doubles (ten).

On the pitching side, 2012 second round pick Sam Selman has led the way. He leads the league with a 1.67 ERA in six starts (seven appearances). In 32.1 innings, he has struck out 44 compared to just eight walks. Selman has allowed just 24 hits. He made two starts in the last two weeks and allowed just one run on five hits and three walks over 12 innings. He struck out 19.

The Royals top pick in this June’s draft, Kyle Zimmer, made his debut for the AZL Royals on July 13th. He allowed one run on two hits over two innings. He struck out three while not walking a batter.

Idaho Falls are 12-15, four games back in the Pioneer League’s South Division. From July 2-9, the Chukars went 3-4. From July 9-15 (which included a day off and a rain out), they went 2-4. One of those losses came to Orem, 20-6.

In his last ten games, catcher Parker Morin is hitting .424. Outfielder Ethan Chapman has a hit in seven of his last eight games (11-for-31). First baseman Rainier Bello has a hit in nine of his last ten games (10-for-31) with three doubles, a homerun, three runs scored, and four RBIs.

The Chukars have had shaky pitching and lost one of their best starters, Andy Ferguson, to a promotion to High-A Wilmington. Ferguson was 2-0 with a 1.14 ERA in four starts. 2012 second round draft pick Sam Selman made three starts, two solid ones over the last two weeks. In his past two starts, he allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and four walks over 10.1 innings. He struck out 14.

Alec Mills made three relief appearances (though he hasn’t pitched since July 9th). He allowed two runs on nine hits and one walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out eight. Right-hander Ali Williams has been racking up the strikeouts so far for the Chukars (28 Ks in 22.1 innings). He made two starts over the last two weeks. In his last start (July 12th), he struck out 11 over six shutout innings. He only allowed three hits and one walk.

The Burlington Royals are just one game back in the East Division of the Appalachian League at 14-9. From July 2-8, the Royals went 6-1.

Bubba Starling‘s big game came on July 2nd, when he hit two homeruns (the first of his career) and drove in six runs. He picked up two hits the next day, but has struggled a bit since (3-for-19 with eight strikeouts).

It must have seemed like forever since the Royals played a game this past week. Their July 9th game in Bluefield was suspended. Then, their three-game series in Kingsport was rained out. Then their first game in Princeton was postponed. The Royals finally got back on the field on Sunday, as they split a doubleheader against Princeton.

Terrance Gore has struck out 13 times so far this season, but has cut back as of late (just three over his last eight games). In that span, he is 8-for-31 (.258) with three walks and four stolen bases. Kenny Diekroeger (the 4th round pick this year), was 10-for-31 (.323) with three homeruns, six runs scored, and six RBIs. Patrick Leonard leads the Royals in homeruns with seven, but hit just one over his last eight games (8-for-30).

Unlike the Chukars, the Royals have received very good pitching. They have three pitchers with ERA’s under two and three more with ERA’s under three.

Daniel Hernandez has been very good since returning from Tommy John surgery. He made three starts over the last two weeks, totaling 17.1 innings. He allowed four runs on 11 hits and just two walks while striking out 17. Colin Rodgers made one start (July 6th) and pitched six hitless innings (the lone baserunner came via a hit batter). He struck out three.

Daniel Stumpf, who retrieved both of Starling’s homerun balls for Bubba, is also pitching pretty well. He’s carrying a 0.84 ERA over six relief outings (he hasn’t pitched since July 8th). In his two most recent outings, he allowed three hits over 3.1 innings. He struck out six. Jossiel Martinez is making his professional debut in the US. In his last two relief outings, he has allowed just one run on four hits and one walk over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

Patrick Conroy made one start (July 4th) and picked up the win. He allowed two runs on six hits and a walk over six innings. He struck out seven.

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.

Idaho Falls is 4-3 to start the Pioneer League season, two games back in the South Division. They have seen a few players already promoted to Low-A Kane County (Jack Lopez, Julio Aparicio, Bryan Brickhouse, and Kyle Smith).

2012 30th round pick Ethan Chapman is hitting .360 over six games (9-for-25). He has two triples and six RBIs. Catcher Parker Morin (2012 14th round pick) is hitting .333 in four games.

The Chukars have quite a few 2012 draft picks in the pitching ranks, six to be exact. Kevin Allen (23rd round) has made two appearances out of the bullpen, while picking up a save. He has allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits and three walks. Alec Mills (22nd round) has also made two relief appearances. Over three innings, he has allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits. Sam Selman (2nd round) picked up a win in one relief appearance (2.2IP, H, 0R, 0BB, 3K).

Zeb Sneed (11th round), one of the best names to be drafted this year, has made two appearances (one start). Over six innings, he allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three. Matthew Strahm (21st round) has made two relief appearances. He allowed six runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks over 1.2 innings. Andrew Triggs (19th round) has also made two relief outings (3.2 innings). He has allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out three.

Burlington is 4-2 in the Appalachian League, one game back in the East Division.

Dan Hernandez returned from Tommy John surgery and pitched five perfect innings in his first start. 2012 draft pick Patrick Conroy (32nd round) has pitched in two games (one start). He has allowed six runs (five earned) on nine hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. Fellow 2012 draft picks Daniel Stumpf (9th round) and Colin Rodgers (3rd round) have yet to allow a run. Stumpf has pitched four innings over two relief appearances. He walked just one while striking out two (no hits allowed). Rodgers has made one start (two innings). He allowed one hit and two walks while striking out two.

Catcher Beau Maggi has seen some more playing time with the injury to Cameron Gallagher (injured his hand on catcher’s interference). Maggi, a 2012 24th round pick, is 0-for-14 in five games, though he has walked five times. Gallagher was 2-for-12 with two RBIs in four games before getting hurt. Stanford 2012 draft pick (4th round) Kenny Diekroeger has played in three games (1-for-15) at second base. 2012 7th round pick, outfielder Fred Ford, is 4-for-19 in five games.

The power hitter for the Royals is third baseman Patrick Leonard, who has four homeruns in six games (four of his six hits). He was a 5th round pick in 2011 and is in his first professional season.

The Royalman Report, LIVE Sundays at 7 pm CST

It was a lonely day for Royalman, as he was in his Studio of Solitude on Sunday, but thankfully, joining him on the phone was Greg Schaum of Pinetar Press.

Schaum covered his end of year awards for the Royals minor leagues.

Also featured were interviews conducted by Lee Warren (@OmahaBaseball) following the Omaha Storm Chasers win in the first round of the Pacific Coast League Playoffs.

Click the embedded player below to listen to this week’s show or you can download the mp3 here.

If you want your business featured during breaks on the Royalman Report, contact us at 816-394-9578 or email royalmanreport@gmail.com.  

Kelly's in Westport - official sponsor of the Royalman Report

If you’re the type that prefers to see the in-studio video stream…check it out below:

(more…)

This is Part 2 (for Part 1 just click here) which will cover the catchers playing in Idaho Falls, Burlington and Kane County. (more…)

On July 16th I wrote extensively about Henry Moreno and Darian Sandford who were notable as they were the only two players on the Chukars roster that made the Royals organizational depth chart in Baseball America’s 2011 Prospect Handbook. Last week on the 23rd, I covered the 14 players who were new to the Royals organization and assigned to Idaho Falls. These players included 5 NDFA’s signed this summer, 8 2011 draft picks and Runey Davis who played in the Chicago Cubs system the last 2 years.

There’s so much more I’d like to write about when it comes to the current Chukars roster – but I don’t want to neglect the other affiliates forever – so this week will be the last in Idaho Falls for a while. Before we move on however, there are 3 position players I’ve yet to cover that are putting up some numbers worth mentioning. (more…)

Which brings us to today and part 2 of the Chukars Check-In. This time around I will actually touch on the 5 NDFA’s (non-drafted free agents) who joined the Royals organization this summer as well as the 8 players currently in Idaho Falls that were drafted in June. There is a 14th player that is new to the Kansas City system this year (and playing for the Chukars) who is included, but he actually made his professional debut in 2009. (more…)

I enjoyed putting it together and it is a format I’d like to continue to use but sadly I don’t have an infinite amount of free time at my disposal. This week I’m changing gears and will focus on just one Royals affiliate and as you can tell by the title, I picked the Idaho Falls Chukars as the subject. (more…)