Kansas City Royals: Jake Kalish named PCL Pitcher of the Week

Omaha Storm Chasers pitcher Jake Kalish performed well enough to catch the attention of the Pacific Coast League. He was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the week of July 16-22. He is the second player from the Kansas City Royals’ Triple A affiliate to earn one of the league’s weekly awards this season.

The award came based mainly off of Jake Kalish‘s performance against the Nashville Sounds on July 18, according to the article posted on MiLB.com. In the game, he struck out nine and allowed just two hits in seven innings of shutout baseball. It was his fourth victory of the season. If he keeps up the good work, he may find himself wearing a Kansas City Royals uniform in the weeks to come.

Also according to the article on the Omaha Storm Chasers website, it was stated that Kalish’s nine strukeouts were the most in a game by a starting pitcher since current Kansas City Royal Heath Fillmyer achieved the same feat on June 7.

The last Omaha Storm Chasers player to receive Pitcher of the Week honors was Luke Farrell in 2017 over the week of June 19-25.

Season Statistics

Jake Kalish was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 32nd round of the 2015 MLB Draft. This season, he started at the Double A level, where he yielded an ERA of 5.12 and a record of 2-2. Most of his appearances were in relief, only starting four of sixteen games played.

He was called up to the Storm Chasers on June 26. In Omaha, he has started six of the nine games he has appeared in. His record currently sits at 4-4, and his ERA is 3.27 through 44 innings of work. So far, he has taken full advantage of his shift to a higher level.

Next: What Brian Goodwin means for the rebuild

Yes, he still has a lot to prove. He has been at the Triple A level for less than a month. But, if he continues to pitch as hot as he started, he will probably have a fighting chance for a roster spot, next season at the latest.