KC Royals: Breaking Down the First Week of Minor League Action

Right after the KC Royals got their season up and running, the minor leagues got going last Thursday. Let’s check out the first action on the farm.

AAA – Omaha Storm Chasers (3-3)

Opening their season Thursday night on the road, the KC Royals AAA affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers played their first series of the year against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Omaha’s lineup was stirred against elite pitching prospect Josh Hader. Omaha was held to two hits in their season opener.

After the opening loss, the Storm Chasers could only find themselves one win in the series, losing 3 of 4. They avoided the sweep on Sunday, winning 8-3, led by home runs from Whit Merrifield and Jorge Bonifacio. Other than good first starts by Jonathan Dziedzic and Jake Junis, the rest of the pitching staff couldn’t get acclimated.

In their second series, the Storm Chasers were on the road again, this time against Round Rock, the Texas Rangers affiliate. The Storm Chasers would head in looking to get back to .500. They would just do that, winning 9-1 and 6-3.

In these two games, the offense starting firing, collecting 25 hits. The pitching wasn’t too shabby to, as Jonathan Dziedzic provided another good start. Prospect Erik Skoglund was also sharp, pitching 5 scoreless innings. Look for him to be a pitching option for the Royals sooner or later.

Overview: The theme of the week for the Storm Chasers was offense, as they currently sit 3rd in the PCL in runs and 4th in OPS. I would look for this to keep up, as the Storm Chasers have a pretty nice lineup.

Some hitters that had a nice first week include Billy Burns (.421/.545/.636), Whit Merrifield (.364/.400/.864), and Corey Toups (.357/.471/.500)

Some pitchers that started off well are Jonathan Dziedzic (1-1, 1.69 ERA), Jake Junis (0-0, 2.84 ERA), and Malcom Culver (3 scoreless innings of relief).

Player of the Week-Whit Merrifield: The utility player is off to scorching start after being left off of the 25 man roster. He is 6th in the PCL with a 1.264 OPS

AA – Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2-4)

Also opening Thursday night, the Naturals played their opener at home against the San Antonio Missions, the AA team of the San Diego Padres. Starting Opening Day was Zach Lovvorn, making his Naturals debut. He made a good first impression, pitching 6 innings, allowing one run.

The Naturals had to wait until their second game to score their first run of the new season. It was scored on an RBI single by one of the returning Naturals, Frank Schwindel. The new acquisition from the Cubs, Donnie Dewees went 2 for 4 in this game. Look for him to be a big part in the KC Royals future.

The Naturals ended up losing 2 of 3 to the Missions. They would then lose 2 of 3 in their next series to the Corpus Christi Hooks. The Naturals offense did explode in their most recent game though, winning 12-3. It was a hit parade, as 5(!) Naturals had 3 hits. Dewees, Alfredo Escalera, Samir Duenez, Logan Moon, and Ruben Sosa.

The Naturals had a good first turn through the rotation. Corey Ray, Erik Skoglund, Christian Binford, and Kyle Zimmer all pitched well. The Naturals also got good work out of the pen by struggling prospect Miguel Almonte. He could become a bullpen factor for the KC Royals soon.

Overview: The Naturals were lackluster overall on both sides of the field. After their first two series, they ranked 3rd to last in the Texas League in ERA and 3rd to last in OPS.

Player of the Week – Donnie Dewees: I almost gave it to Frank Schwindel after posting a 155 wRC+. I gave it to Dewees tough because he impressed me in his first week in the Texas League, a pitcher friendly league. He showed a great eye at the plate walking 5 times and only striking out once. That ratio is good enough for first in the Texas League. Get excited about him.

A+ – Wilmington Blue Rocks (3-3)

After getting their opener rained out at home Thursday night, the Blue Rocks would take the field Friday against the Potomac Nationals. Slabbing the toe for the Blue Rocks would be righty Foster Griffin. He struggled mightily after a mid-season promotion from Lexington. He went 5-10 with a 6.23 ERA in a very pitcher friendly park. Looking to start the year off on the right track, Griffin would be pitching against a lineup that has Victor Robles, the #5 prospect in baseball, according to MLB.com. 

And boy, did Foster Griffin look good. He pitch 5 innings, allowing one run, with 8 strikeouts and no walks.

Another thing that impressed in Wilmington was A.J. Puckett’s first start in High-A. The Royals top draft pick last year, Puckett continues to impress in his pro career. I expect him to climb the minors quick.

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The offense for Wilmington didn’t have too much to hang their head about though. A lot of hitters struggled. Chase Vallot, Anderson Miller, Nicky Lopez, and Travis Maezes all posted a sub .700 OPS.

One hitter did have a good week though. Brandon Downes, back in High-A again in 2017, posted a 1.017 OPS.

Overview: Wilmington had trouble hitting, as they are third to last in the Carolina League in runs scored. The pitching impressed though, evidenced by the league third best ERA.

It wasn’t just the rotation that threw the ball well too. Jake Kalish, Richard Lovelady, and Yunior Marte haven’t allowed a run yet in their relief work.

Player of the Week – Foster Griffin: This one was easy. After a rough year for the KC Royals #22 Prospect, he has thrown the ball wonderfully. In 11 innings, he has a 0.82 ERA, with 14 strikeouts to ZERO walks. His K-BB ratio is second in the Carolina League, only behind the Red Sox Travis Lakins, according to Fangraphs. He has by far been the KC Royals most impressive pitching prospect. Look for him, Scott Blewett, A.J. Puckett, and Christian Castillo to form a formidable rotation down there.

A – Lexington Legends (2-5)

The Lexington Legends opened their season against the Charleston River Dogs, affiliate of the New York Yankees.  What stood out in the opener to everyone was the full season debut of the 2016 3rd round pick, Khalil Lee. In his first game in Lexington, he went 3 for 4 with a homer and a walk. Watch out for him, as I think he could sore up the prospect rankings this year if he keeps hitting well.

The pitching struggled in the first week of the season, with a 5.40 ERA. A bright side though is Nolan Watson. He has a 2.00 ERA through 2 starts, but at the same time has a 1.444 WHIP with 7.0 BB/9.

Garrett Davila struggled in his two appearances, as did reliever Julio Pinto.

The bullpen did have some good performances though. Walker Sheller, Grant Gavin, and Jose Veras are all scoreless so far.

Overview: Lexington has had a lot of its prospects play poorly, such as Meibrys Viloria, Marten Gasparini, and Ricky Aracena.

Player of the Week – Emmanuel Rivera: Rivera’s .440 batting average is good for fourth in the Sally League. This is Rivera’s second straight year in which he has gotten off to a scorching start. Last year in Burlington, Rivera batted .536 in the first month of the season.