Julio Rodriguez

Well, Double-A NW Arkansas was the only team of the four full-season KC Royals affiliates to be in action on Monday. Omaha had the day off, while Wilmington and Kane County are enjoying the All-Star break (I will have coverage tomorrow night on their all-star games).

The Naturals won in walk-off fashion over first-place Tulsa, 6-5 in ten innings. Julio Rodriguez delivered a two-out, walk-off pinch-hit RBI single in his only at-bat of the game. John Whittleman (3-for-5) and Carlo Testa (2-for-3) each hit homeruns in the win and Testa scored the game winner.

The walk off made a winner of reliever Jon Keck, who allowed just two hits over 2.2 innings.

Short-season baseball is just beginning across the country, as Idaho Falls is underway right now. Both the Chukars and Orem have put up six-run innings. In the 7th inning, the Chukars lead the Owlz, 14-8. It was a start to forget for last year’s draft pick Bryan Brickhouse in his professional debut. He allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks over just 1.2 innings.

I plan on doing a weekly recap of the short-season leagues so as not to make these daily minor league recaps get too long.

Burlington had an exhibition game on Sunday and outfielder Bubba Starling left that game with a tight hamstring. He is expected to miss a few days (and the opener in the Appalachian League). The Royals open up tomorrow night.