I believe the Royals will do well this year. I know, there’s been a few years when it seemed the Royals would do well and they fell flat (like 2004, 2009 and 2012). If there’s any team out there who crushes fan’s expectations and pulls the rug out from underneath their fans, it’s the Kansas City Royals.

But 2013 isn’t like the hopeful mirage of the 2012 season. Yes, there was optimism in 2012, but with the exception of the bullpen, the team wasn’t that good. Throw in the injuries, the dismal play of Eric Hosmer and Jeff Francoeur, the inconsistent play of Mike Moustakas and the 12-game losing streak in April, it’s a surprise the Royals finished as well as they did.

But this year, things are different. The Royals overhauled the starting rotation by getting James Shields, Ervin Santana and Wade Davis and resigning Jeremy Guthrie. Last year’s Opening Day starter, Bruce Chen, is in the bullpen. So is Luke Hochevar. The bullpen is strong and should be stronger with the improved starting rotation pitching more innings. Except for the question marks of right fielder Jeff Francoeur and second baseman Chris Getz, the Royals have a competitive lineup, a lineup not relying on washed-up veterans like Juan Gonzalez or Jose Guillen (the jury is still out on Francoeur). And unlike the Injury Bug Attack of Two Aught Twelve which decimated a part of the team, this spring has almost been injury-free. And the Royals are Cactus League Champions, which doesn’t mean anything, but at least they played well.

And the team did things that made sense. Like moving Hochevar to the bullpen instead of forcing him to be a starter. Choosing Luis Mendoza over Chen as the fifth starter. Making Getz the starting second baseman (Johnny Giavotella didn’t play well enough to earn a spot). The Royals didn’t do anything this spring that made you go, “what were they thinking?” Well, Sluggerrr getting a lap dance at a 2005 bachelor party notwithstanding (Google it if you must, But I warn you it’s NSFW and a little, well, awkward).

But we are talking about the Royals. The Royals starters got roughed up in a few Spring Training games. Lately, lefty reliever Tim Collins hasn’t been pitching well. Eric Hosmer might be playing right field and Billy Butler might be at first base in Interleague games. Key players may suffer injuries. The momentum and winning in Spring Training may not continue into the regular season. The Royals might have another 12-game losing streak early in the season. Sure, all this happening is unlikely, but if any team can do it, the Royals can.

But not this year. I believe the Royals will play much better this season. Winning the World Series? Not likely. Winning the American League Pennant? There’s a slim chance. Winning the American League Central? Only if the Detroit Tigers suffer a rash of injuries and their offense, defense and pitching falter. A Wild Card Berth? With good teams in the A.L. East and A.L. West, it’s unlikely. Finishing above .500? I believe an 87-75 record and a second place finish in the A.L. Central behind Detroit is a realistic possibility.

I hope so anyway. I am a Royals fan, after all.

KANSAS CITY, MO (September 16, 2012) – On Monday, September 17, fans will have the chance to help provide baseball equipment for Kansas City’s disadvantaged youth at a special Gloves For Kids event presented by the Royals and Ryan Lefebvre’s Footprints Foundation.  Additional support is provided by Rawlings, Rally House and 610 Sports Radio.  The event will be held at Rally House-Kansas City North, located at 8650 N. Boardwalk Ave. in Kansas City, Mo., from 6-8 p.m.

Select Royals players will sign autographs for fans who donate at least $25 toward new baseball gloves and other baseball/softball equipment for underprivileged youth in both the Kansas City area as well as the native countries of some of the event participants, including the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Royals players scheduled to appear include:

Pitcher Louis Coleman                                    Second Baseman Johnny Giavotella
Pitcher Tim Collins                                          Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie
Pitcher Danny Duffy                                        Pitcher Kelvin Herrera
Shortstop Alcides Escobar                             Catcher Salvador Perez
Second Baseman Chris Getz                         Manager Ned Yost

Session participants will be announced at Rally House at 5 p.m.  One group of players will sign from 6-7 p.m. with the other group to follow from 7-8 p.m.  Please note that a $25 donation is required for each session, and fans will be allowed to have one item autographed by each Royals player participating in that session.  Sales for both sessions will begin at 5 p.m., and each session will be capped at 150 people.  For details, visit www.royals.com/glovesforkids.

The event will also include a Royals Charities silent auction featuring unique Royals memorabilia, including autographed items from players including Billy Butler, Mike Moustakas and George Brett, which will run until 7:45 p.m.  In addition, Bob Fescoe, host of “Fescoe in the Morning” on 610 Sports Radio, the home of the Royals, will be reporting live from Rally House from 5-7 p.m.

Created in 2001 by Lefebvre’s Footprints Foundation, the Gloves For Kids event has raised more than $85,000 to provide new baseball gloves and related equipment for Kansas City area youth.

ROYALS BEGIN CARAVAN WITH LOCAL AUTOGRAPH EVENT ON JANUARY 11
Rally House Event Featuring Chen, Gordon, Hosmer & More Opens Annual Caravan; Additional Stops in Kansas City & Nebraska Also on Tap for First Week of Caravan

KANSAS CITY, MO (January 9, 2012) – The annual Royals Caravan presented by FOX Sports Kansas City opens with a free autograph event for fans in the Kansas City area on Wednesday, January 11. Several Royals will appear at the Rally House: Independence Superstore from 6-8 p.m. to launch the club’s winter tradition.

Beginning in 1968, the Royals have embarked on the annual Royals Caravan to visit fans throughout the Midwest. This January, several current and former Royals players, broadcasters and front office personnel will join Royals mascot Sluggerrr for Caravan events.

In addition to the Rally House event, the first week of Royals Caravan will also feature public stops in Lincoln and Omaha, Neb., as well as private visits to veterans at VA Hospital in Kansas City and troops stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base.

Royals scheduled to appear during the first week include pitcher Bruce Chen, second baseman Johnny Giavotella, first baseman Eric Hosmer and outfielders Lorenzo Cain, Alex Gordon and Mitch Maier. In addition, Hall of Famer George Brett, Royals Hall of Famer Dennis Leonard, former third baseman Joe Randa and broadcasters Denny Matthews and Ryan Lefebvre are also scheduled to participate.

A tentative schedule of Caravan events for Wednesday, January 11-Friday, January 13 is available at www.royals.com/caravan.

Naturals’ GM Edelstein wins Royals award
Giavotella, Seratelli, Herrera also honored

KANSAS CITY, MO — Northwest Arkansas Naturals general manager Eric Edelstein, first baseman/infielder Anthony Seratelli, pitcher Kelvin Herrera, and former Naturals second baseman and current Royals’ second baseman Johnny Giavotella were among those named Thursday as Kansas City Royals’ organizational award recipients for their on-field achievements during the 2011 season.

Previously, the club announced the following award recipients as voted on by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). Pitcher Bruce Chen was the selection for the 2011 Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year while Alex Gordon was the 2011 Les Milgram Player of the Year. Rookie first baseman and former Natural Eric Hosmer was named the 2011 Joe Burke Special Achievement Award winner.

Eric Edelstein, general manager of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals, is the recipient of the Matt Minker Award – recognizing an outstanding minor league affiliate employee. Edelstein has served as the Naturals GM since October of 2006, several months before the franchise played its first game. Prior to his time in Springdale, the Cleveland, Ohio, native served as the GM with the Wichita Wranglers for three seasons. Edelstein was a co-recipient of the 2008 Texas League Executive of the Year and a member of the 2008 class of 40-under-40 by the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal.

Anthony Seratelli is the recipient of the Willie Wilson Baserunner of the Year – recognizing the organization’s top baserunner. The versatile Seratelli, 28, stole 35 bases in 40 attempts and was named as the Naturals’ Player of the Year for the 2011 season. The switch hitter who hit .317 (20-for-63) with Surprise in the Arizona Fall League, was purchased by the Royals from the Windy City ThunderBolts of the Independent Frontier League on February 27, 2007.

Kelvin Herrera is the recipient of the Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year – recognizing the organization’s top pitcher. The 21-year-old rocketed through the system this season by posting dominant numbers out of the bullpen that earned him a spot on the World squad in the XM Futures All-Star Game. Herrera combined to go 7-1 with 14 saves and a 1.60 ERA in 45 relief appearances for Wilmington (Class-A Advanced), Northwest Arkansas, and Omaha (AAA). He had his contract selected by the Royals on September 21 and made two relief appearances. Born and raised in Tenares, Dominican Republic, Herrera signed with the Royals as a non-drafted free agent on December 13, 2006.

Johnny Giavotella is the recipient of the George Brett Hitter of the Year – recognizing the organization’s top hitter. Giavotella was hitting .338 with a minor league-leading 153 hits for Triple-A Omaha at the time of his call-up to the Royals on August 5. The second baseman had 34 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 72 RBI and 67 runs scored in 110 games for the Storm Chasers. The 24-year-old was a starter on the Pacific Coast League All-Star team, part of the 12-member All-PCL Team and recently named to the Topps Triple-A All-Star team. A Natural and Texas League All-Star during the 2010 Championship season, the University of New Orleans alum was the Royals’ second-round selection in the 2008 Draft.

Tim Melville is the recipient of the Mike Sweeney Award – recognizing a player who best represents the organization on and off the field. The Royals’ fourth-round pick in 2008 volunteered himself for numerous hospital, community and other charitable works throughout the 2011 season with the Blue Rocks. Melville specifically volunteered for the non-paying community appearances, allowing his teammates the first crack at the compensated events. On the field, the 22-year-old from Wentzville, Mo., compiled an 11-10 record with a 4.32 ERA in 29 games, including 25 starts. After two seasons with Wilmington, Melville is expected to see time with the Naturals next season.

The honorees will be recognized at the Royals Awards Luncheon presented by Sprint and Teva on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. The event will take place at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan. Further details for all award winners are available at www.royals.com. The Naturals offer our heartfelt congratulations to all of the organization’s award recipients.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.

Giavotella Named to Topps Triple-A All-Star Team
Storm Chasers’ second baseman adds to season of accolades

OMAHA, Neb. — Former Omaha Storm Chasers second baseman Johnny Giavotella has been named to the prestigious Topps Triple-A All-Star Team, Minor League Baseball announced Tuesday. The team, made up of just nine total players, features five Pacific Coast League stars and four International League stars.

Giavotella, 24, hit .338 in 110 games for the Storm Chasers this season, collecting 153 hits including 34 doubles, nine home runs, 72 runs batted in and 67 runs scored. The 2011 Pacific Coast League All-Star starter was one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the months of June and July, batting .391 (90-for-130) with 31 extra-base hits during the two-month stretch. He was honored as the PCL’s Player of the Month for June and was also named to the postseason All-Pacific Coast League team.

Following his promotion to the Kansas City Royals on August 5, Giavotella hit .247 (44-for-178) with two home runs, nine doubles, four triples and 21 RBI in 46 games. He collected his first MLB hit against the Detroit Tigers’ Rick Porcello, singled a day later against Detroit ace Justin Verlander and belted his first-career homer off of the Tigers’ Max Scherzer.

The Louisiana native was selected out of the University of New Orleans in the second round (49^th overall) of the 2008 draft. He hit .299 for Class-A Burlington that summer, .258 in 2009 for High-A Wilmington and .322 for the 2010 Texas League Champion Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

Giavotella is joined on the Topps Triple-A All-Stars by Bryan LaHair (Iowa/Chicago Cubs), Gil Velazquez (Salt Lake/Los Angeles Angels), Russ Canzler (Durham/Tampa Bay Rays), Devin Mesoraco (Louisville/Cincinnati Reds), Collin Cowgill (Reno/Arizona Diamondbacks), Alejandro de Aza (Charlotte/Chicago White Sox), Julio Teheran (Gwinnett/Atlanta Braves) and former Omaha Royal Jai Miller (Sacramento/Oakland Athletics).

Royals Second Baseman Giavotella Undergoes Arthroscopic Hip Surgery
Pitcher Jesse Chavez Claimed on Outright Waivers by Toronto Blue Jays

KANSAS CITY, MO (October 21, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals announced today that second baseman Johnny Giavotella underwent arthroscopic surgery yesterday to correct a labral tear in his right hip. The surgery was performed by Dr. Marc Philippon in Vail, Colo. Recovery time is estimated at 10-12 weeks, meaning Giavotella is expected to be available for the start of Spring Training in February, 2012.

In addition, the Royals also announced that right-handed pitcher Jesse Chavez was claimed on Outright Waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays. Chavez was designated for assignment by the Royals on October 11.

KANSAS CITY, MO (September 4, 2011) – The Kansas City Royals have named right-handed pitcher Kelvin Herrera the 2011 Paul Splittorff Pitcher of the Year and second baseman Johnny Giavotella the 2011 George Brett Hitter of the Year.

On Tuesday, the Royals named the pitchers and players of the year from all eight minor league affiliates. A majority of those players are expected to be at Kauffman Stadium for Futures Night on Friday, September 16, where they will take part in an autograph session at Gate A from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., as well as be honored in an on-field presentation prior to the Royals game against the White Sox.

PAUL SPLITTORFF PITCHER OF THE YEAR

21-year-old Kelvin Herrera has rocketed through the system this season by posting dominant numbers out of the bullpen that earned him a spot on the World squad in the XM Futures All-Star Game. Herrera has combined to go 7-1 with 14 saves and a 1.64 ERA in 44 relief appearances for Wilmington (A Advanced), Northwest Arkansas (AA) and Omaha (AAA). In 65.2 innings, he has allowed just 12 earned runs on 42 hits and 14 walks, striking out 70 and allowing opponents to bat just .181. Born and raised in Tenares, Dominican Republic, Herrera signed with the Royals as a non-drafted free agent on December 13, 2006.

GEORGE BRETT HITTER OF THE YEAR

Johnny Giavotella, 24, was hitting .338 with a minor league-leading 153 hits for Triple-A Omaha at the time of his call-up to the Royals on August 5. The second baseman had 34 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 72 RBI and 67 runs scored in 110 games for the Storm Chasers. Giavotella was a starter on the Pacific Coast League All-Star team as well as a part of the 12-member All-PCL Team. The University of New Orleans alum was the Royals’ second-round selection in the 2008 Draft.

ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Pacific Coast League today announced the 2011 All-PCL Team, led by a league-most three players from the Omaha Storm Chasers.

The Storm Chasers, currently the American Northern Division leader, are represented by second baseman Johnny Giavotella, designated hitter Clint Robinson, and right-handed pitcher Luis Mendoza. Giavotella, who was promoted to Kansas City on August 5th, leads all PCL second baseman with a .338 batting average while Robinson has hit 23 homers and driven in 97 runs in 130 games. Omaha’s ace, Mendoza, has won 11 decisions to accompany his league-best 2.15 earned run average.

The Sacramento River Cats and Reno Aces are the only other teams represented by more than one player. Catcher Anthony Recker (.287, 16 HR) and outfielder Jai Miller (30 HR, 77 RBI) helped power the River Cats to their fifth consecutive Pacific Southern Division crown. Reno’s Cody Ransom, who established new single-season franchise-records for Reno in home runs and RBI, and Collin Cowgill, the only PCL player to have more than 10 home runs and 30 stolen bases this season, were named to the squad as shortstop and outfielder, respectively.

The PCL’s home run leader, Bryan LaHair, was voted to the team as the first baseman. LaHair, 28, is enjoying a career-year with the Iowa Cubs, as he has posted new career-highs in home runs (36) and runs scored (89) while his batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage are the highest for a single-season in his career with eight games remaining this season. He currently leads the PCL in home runs, runs batted in, total bases and extra-base hits.

Along with Cowgill, Giavotella and Robinson, third baseman Taylor Green of the Nashville Sounds and outfielder Joey Butler of the Round Rock Express bring the total number of the first-year Triple-A players on the All-PCL Team to five. In his sixth professional season, Green leads the Sounds in batting average, OBP and doubles over his 120 games played. Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round of the 2008 June Draft, Butler is batting .326 with 27 doubles and 12 home runs for the American Southern Division champs.

Completing the All-PCL pitching staff, Dana Eveland of the Albuquerque Isotopes was selected as the left-handed pitcher, and Victor Marte of the Memphis Redbirds was named to the team as the top reliever. Eveland, who is one of seven players to be named to the PCL’s Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star teams this year, has won 12 decisions, the second-most in the league, to go along with 107 strikeouts. Marte has made 51 appearances for Memphis, posting a 1.53 ERA and tallying a PCL-best 28 saves.

Storm Chasers Well-Represented on All-PCL Team
Giavotella, Mendoza, Robinson make up 25 percent of exclusive roster

OMAHA, Neb. — The Omaha Storm Chasers’ storybook inaugural season added another chapter Monday, as the Pacific Coast League named Johnny Giavotella, Luis Mendoza and Clint Robinson to its prestigious 12-member All-PCL Team.

Giavotella, the All-PCL second baseman, batted .338 with nine home runs, 72 RBI, 34 doubles and 67 runs scored in 110 games with the Storm Chasers this season. He was honored as the league’s All-Star representative at second base and was also named the PCL Player of the Month for June, during which he batted .398 (49-for-123). He was promoted to the Kansas City Royals on August 5.

Right-hander Luis Mendoza was one of three pitchers named to the squad. The 27-year-old has an 11-5 record with a league-leading 2.15 ERA for the Chasers, more than a full run better than his nearest competitor. He has dominated the league since May 26, compiling a 10-2 record with a 1.24 ERA over 108.2 innings pitched, including 9-0 with a 1.19 ERA in 10 road appearances. He threw a complete-game, one-hit shutout at Memphis on July 18.

Clint Robinson, honored as the designated hitter for the All-PCL Team, has been one of the hottest hitters in the league over the past two-and-a-half weeks, pushing his season numbers into awe-inspiring territory. The 6-foot-5, left-handed slugger is batting .478 with four home runs, 24 RBI and 11 doubles in his past 18 games, giving him a season average of .329 with 23 homers, 97 RBI and 35 doubles. His 35 doubles rank second on the all-time single-season franchise list, one ahead of Giavotella and two off of the record of 37.

Joining the Omaha trio are catcher Anthony Recker of Sacramento, first baseman Bryan LaHair of Iowa, third baseman Taylor Green of Nashville, shortstop Cody Ransom of Reno and outfielders Joey Butler (Round Rock), Collin Cowgill (Reno) and Jai Miller (Sacramento). Albuquerque left-handed starting pitcher Dana Eveland and Memphis closer Victor Marte round out the 12-member squad. Including Miller and Marte, five of the 12 players have played for Omaha during the past two seasons.

Each of the Storm Chasers’ three representatives were also named to the Pacific Coast League All-Star squad in Salt Lake, though that roster had 30 players and representation from each club.

The All-PCL team, which features players from just eight of the 16 PCL clubs, was voted on by the league’s field managers, general managers and media.

The following is a press release from the Omaha Storm Chasers and is reprinted in its entirety:

Giavotella Headed to Kansas City
Storm Chasers’ star second baseman set to join Royals Friday

OMAHA, Neb. — Second baseman Johnny Giavotella will be called up from Triple-A Omaha and join the Kansas City Royals Friday, the club announced late Thursday night. No corresponding roster move was made at the time of the announcement.

Giavotella, 24, hit .338 in 110 games for the Storm Chasers this season, amassing a league-leading 153 hits and collecting 34 doubles, nine home runs, 72 runs batted in and 67 runs scored. The 2011 Pacific Coast League All-Star starter was one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the months of June and July, batting .391 (90-for-130) with 31 extra-base hits during the two-month stretch. He was honored as the PCL’s Player of the Month for June.

Giavotella moved quickly through the Kansas City organization, spending the latter part of 2008 in Class-A Burlington, 2009 in High-A Wilmington, 2010 in Double-A Northwest Arkansas and just shy of a full season in Omaha. The New Orleans-area native was selected out of the University of New Orleans in the second round (49^th overall) of the 2008 draft.

Although no official announcement has been made, Giavotella could be in Kansas City manager Ned Yost’s lineup as early as Friday when the Royals host the division-leading Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium. Meanwhile, Omaha skipper Mike Jirschele will have to turn to another source to provide offense for the Storm Chasers, after penciling Giavotella’s name in all but two lineup cards this season.

With the pending roster move, the Royals will now feature nine players who began the year on the Storm Chasers’ Opening Day roster. In order of their initial promotions to the big leagues, they are Blake Wood, Louis Coleman, Eric Hosmer, Everett Teaford, Danny Duffy, Greg Holland, Mike Moustakas, Manny Pina and Giavotella.

The fine folks at the Northwest Arkansas Naturals provide us with a brief rundown of the Royals farm system every week. The details are listed below:

Triple-A

As the regular season enters its final month, the Omaha Storm Chasers (Pacific Coast League) appear to be rounding into form. The club when 6-1 over the last week, carrying an active six-game winning streak into Thursday’s game against Sacramento. The Storm Chasers have outscored their opponents 45-12 in those six games, a sign that the team is firing on all cylinders. Omaha has now opened up a six-game lead in the PCL’s American Northern Division.

Who’s Hot

Another week brings another standout performance for second baseman Johnny Giavotella, who went 5-for-6 against Oklahoma City on Sunday and followed that performance with a three-hit game two days later. With 33 doubles, a .391 on-base percentage and 72 RBI, Giavotella is beating down the door to Kansas City. Also swinging a hot bat is Lorenzo Cain, who has now hit safely in eight of his last nine games and drawn seven walks in that span. Catcher Salvador Perez has made a strong first impression at Triple-A, as he connected on a grand slam in his third game with Omaha and is hitting .286 through his first week at the level.

Who’s Not

It’s hard to find fault with much that the Storm Chasers did last week, but Vin Mazzaro allowed four runs in just 3 2/3 innings of work his last time out. Irving Falu is one of the only Omaha hitters who did not put together a great week, as he is just 4-for-18 in his last five games.

Double-A

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Texas League) continue to be one of the streakier teams in the system, as the club followed a stretch of 10 wins in 12 games with five losses in their last seven. Despite going 2-5 last week, the Naturals managed to regain sole possession of first place in the North Division’s second half standings with Wednesday’s win at Tulsa.

Who’s Hot

Found more often in the “Who’s Not” section this year, left-hander Chris Dwyer has turned his season around over his last three starts. Dwyer has won all three and allowed a total of five runs in those games, as he tossed seven innings of one-run ball on Sunday against Springfield. A reason for his success is improved control, as Dwyer has struck out 19 while walking five in those three games. Outfielder Paulo Orlando has a 10-game hitting streak as of the writing of this report, racking up four hits on July 31. Orlando has tripled in each of his last three games and is hitting .386 through 17 games in his return to Double-A.

Who’s Not

Though he turned it around with a quality start and win on Wednesday night, Will Smith could not get out of the fifth inning on July 29, allowing a season-high nine runs on 10 hits against Springfield. Also on the mound, Jeremy Jeffress could not harness his control in Saturday’s start, as he walked five in 3 2/3. Though he did go deep for the first time in over a month on Tuesday, Wil Myers does not have a multi-hit game since July 21 as his batting average has dipped to .246.

Class-A Advanced

After fading in the middle part of July, the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Carolina League) rebounded last week, going 4-2 in the last seven days. The team still has plenty of work ahead of them, though, as they trail first-place Frederick by 10 games in the second half standings and would need to erase a six-game deficit to snag a potential wild-card spot from the Potomac Nationals.

Who’s Hot

Though he went 0-4 on Wednesday, outfielder Yem Prades is riding an impressive string at the plate. He had collected hits in nine straight games, including four two-hit games, a pair of three-hit games and a four-hit game. Prades also scored at least one run in every game during his streak, raising his batting average from .255 to .303 in the process. Tim Melville turned in the club’s best pitching performance of the week as he spun seven scoreless innings against Kinston on July 29, striking out five with just one walk.

Who’s Not

Melville’s success was not shared by rotation mate Tyler Sample, who has now allowed five or more runs in each of his last four starts. Sample allowed six runs on eight hits and four walks last time out, pitching just 4 1/3 against Winston-Salem on Tuesday. At the plate, outfielder Carlo Testa was just 3-for-19 last week and has not homered since July 9.

Class-A

The Kane County Cougars have put that mid-July five-game losing streak in the rear view mirror with back-to-back solid weeks. The Cougars went 5-2 since last week’s report, continuing their impressive second-half turnaround. Unfortunately for the club, the Quad Cities is just as hot, as the River Bandits lead Kane County by a game in the Western Division second half standings.

Who’s Hot

Brett Eibner has showed off his power in stretches this season but may now be starting to harness his ability into overall production. The former Arkansas Razorback has hits in eight of his last nine games, including five hits in his two most recent contests. With impressive plate discipline (29 walks in 50 games), and power (.457 slugging percentage), Eibner’s numbers will look even better if and when he starts hitting better than his current .220 clip. Starter Greg Billo continues to blow away the Midwest League, firing six innings of one-run ball in his last start. Billo now has 97 strikeouts and just 21 walks to go along with his 1.48 ERA.

Who’s Not

Catcher Juan Graterol did have two hits on Wednesday night, but that snapped a stretch of six consecutive hitless games, during which Graterol went 0-for-21 at the dish. He has just two extra-base hits in 80 at bats for Kane County. In the rotation, Santiago Garrido has allowed four runs over five innings in each of his last two starts, though he is 1-0 in those games thanks to the Cougars’ offensive output.

Short Season/Rookie

The Idaho Falls Chukars (Pioneer League) had lost three straight games heading into last week’s report, then won three straight before losing another three in a row in the early stages of the league’s second half. The 3-3 week puts the Chukars at 18-24 overall and 1-3 in the second half of the season.

Who’s Hot

Second baseman Michael Liberto may be listed at just 5’7”, 170 lbs, but that hasn’t stopped him from raking in the Pioneer League this year. Liberto has a 10-game hitting streak at the writing of this report and is batting .366 in his first 23 games with the Chukars. Reliever Edwin Carl did allow two runs in as many innings in his last appearance but has still been Idaho Falls’ most effective hurler, boasting a 1.57 ERA through 14 appearances with the club.

Who’s Not

Shortstop Adrian Martinez has not swung the bat as well as the other half of Idaho Falls’ double-play combo has. Martinez was just 3-for-16 at the plate last week and is batting .227 for the Chukars with just three extra-base hits. On the mound, a move to the bullpen has not helped right-hander Robert Penny, who has given up 12 runs in a total of four innings over his last three appearances.

The Burlington Royals (Appalachian League) went 2-4 last week, falling further behind in the league’s East Division. At 16-26 overall and eight games out of first, the Royals need an August turnaround if they want to have the postseason in their future.

Who’s Hot

Justin Trapp has perhaps been the team’s hottest hitter over the past month, and the 20-year-old continued that theme this week. He recorded three two-hit games and clubbed a pair of homers as well. Burlington’s best starting pitcher this season, Matt Ridings, delivered his longest outing of the year as he tossed six innings of one-run ball against Bluefield on July 29.

Who’s Not

It was not a good week at the plate for popular slugger Murray Watts. Watts was just 2-for-20 at the plate, though he did draw seven walks to contribute to the club’s offensive effort. After his torrid start to the Appy League season, Watts has just one home run in the last two weeks. Talented prospect Robinson Yambati has not found a rhythm to this point in the season and endured his worst outing of the year on July 28, as was tagged for seven runs and did not get out of the first inning.

Down in the southwest, the AZL Royals (Arizona League) have shared a similar fate to their Short Season and Rookie brethren this season. The club went 3-3 last week but is just 14-21 overall.

Who’s Hot

Nick DelGuidice has kept up his remarkable pace into August, as he is currently hitting .414 for the club. DelGuidice has recorded at least one hit in nine of his last 10 games and has totaled 13 doubles in 30 contests this season. Fellow outfielder Terrance Gore also has hit well of late, as five hits in the last two games have pushed his batting average to .375. Reliever Sam Runion has given up just one earned run in his first six appearances in complex league play.

Who’s Not

Everyday first baseman Brian Gaylord has yet to get his bat going this season and is just 1-for-19 at the dish in his last four games. Reliever Casey Edelbrockallowed seven earned runs over 3 2/3 innings in his first two outings, part of a pitching staff that has an unsightly 6.97 ERA.

Former Naturals outside the Kansas City organization

The Major League Baseball trade deadline impacted one former Natural in particular, as Juan Abreu was part of the package that the Atlanta Braves sent to Houston in exchange for outfielder Michael Bourn. Abreu made his debut for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, allowing a run in two innings of work. He now joins several other former Naturals in the Pacific Coast League, as Blake Johnson fired 3 2/3 scoreless innings for Colorado Springs last week while Corey Smithwas just 2-for-14 at the plate for Albquerque.

Reliever Dan Cortes may be back in the PCL at some point, but for now he is on the Seattle Mariners’ active roster. Called up in just before the deadline, Cortes yielded a run in two innings over two apperances for the Mariners since last week’s report.

Down in the Southern League, Ernesto Mejia led the parade of former Naturals on the Mississippi Braves’ roster with three two-hit games last week. Mejia is now batting .302 with 28 doubles and 17 homers for the M-Braves. Shortstop Ed Lucas has a seven-game hitting streak, and is hitting .255 for the club. In the Mississippi bullpen, Rowdy Hardy worked a pair of scoreless outings in the past week while Ben Swaggerty has not pitched since last week’s report.

Elsewhere across affiliated ball, Chris McConnell picked up a pair of multi-hit games last week for Harrisburg, the Nationals’ Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League. One level below, Jose Duarte is hitting .252 for the Jupiter Hammerheads but was placed on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to July 30. Also in the Florida State League, Harold Mozingo has a 2.25 ERA through five games with the Dunedin Blue Jays.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.