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.

September 21, 2011; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher

Omaha pounded Round Rock on Friday night, 11-5, as the Storm Chasers collected 21 hits (everyone had at least one hit except Jason Bourgeois). Salvador Perez, who continues his rehab assignment, went 5-for-5 with four runs scored and caught all nine innings.

Chris Getz also continues to rehab with Omaha and he went 2-for-5 as the DH. Jonathan Sanchez (another KC Royal on a rehab assignment) picked up the victory. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over five innings. He struck out five while throwing 78 pitches (46 for strikes). He did allow two homeruns that accounted for all of the runs. Veteran Doug Davis relieved him and allowed a two-run homerun over his three innings of work.

There was no homerun hit by Wil Myers tonight, but he did go 2-for-5 with a run scored. He did however hit a triple. Irving Falu continues to hit after his demotion, as he went 3-for-5 (.340 average) with four RBIs.

After Arkansas took the lead in the top of the 10th inning, NW Arkansas walked off in the bottom of the 10th inning with a 5-4 win. With the bases loaded and two outs, Christian Colon worked a walk to tie the game (he went 2-for-4). Eric Duncan followed with a walk-off RBI single to the pitcher (he went 3-for-6).

John Whittleman fell a double short of the cycle. He homered in the 2nd inning, singled in the 6th inning, and tripled in the 8th inning.

Noel Arguelles picked up the no decision. He allowed just one run on six hits and a walk over seven innings. It was his best start of the season. With their sixth straight win, the Naturals have moved into a tie atop the Texas League’s North Division.

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Hello again! For the last month I’ve been standing on the banks of Lake Kauffman. From time to time I’ve dipped my toes in the water but have been unable to take the plunge and publish my first article here since November 11th of last year. Now, things have changed.

As you have read, Jeff Herr has moved on to head up our network’s KU coverage over on Through the Phog. His departure leaves a gap in the minor league coverage on this site, but if you’re a long time reader of Kings of Kauffman you may remember my days as this site’s lead. You may also remember that I spent a lot of time writing about prospects and the draft. Since leaving KoK, my nomadic writing tendencies have taken me to several sites, but at all of my stops I’ve tried to work in coverage of the minor leagues as it has always been a facet of the game that I love to follow and write about.

With the launch of Seedlings to Stars just over a month ago, I’ve been able to hone my content focus more fully to minor league coverage. So when Jeff notified us that he was leaving KoK and S2S to take a lead position, it seemed natural that I pick up the baton and carry forward the weekly minor league feature here on this site. (more…)