Triple-A
The Omaha Storm Chasers (Pacific Coast League) went 4-2 over the last week improving to 44-27 on the season. The Storm are leading the Northern Division by 14 games over the Iowa Cubs.
Who’s Hot
The Storm Chasers have continued to pile up runs on offense. One of the best offenses in minor league baseball, got great weeks from Wil Myers and Irving Falu. Myers, has lived on the hot list all season long. In his past ten games he is hitting .350 (14-for-40) with three home runs, nine RBI, and 13 runs scored. Falu has not been far behind hitting .351 (13-for-37) with three home runs and 12 RBI, to go along with 11 runs scored in his last ten games. Blaine Hardy turned in his best Triple-A performance this past week. He went four innings allowing just one-hit while striking out four against Round Rock.
Who’s Not
Outfielder Jason Bourgeois is on the cold list despite heating up of late. The outfielder is hitting .231 with two runs scored in his last five games. Will Smith has hit a rough patch after being sent down from Kansas City to Omaha. In his last two starts, the left-hander is 0-1, having worked ten and a third innings allowing 16 hits and nine runs.
Double-A
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Texas League) went 3-4 over the past week getting swept by Tulsa on the road, splitting a four-game set with the Cardinals on the road, and taking the first of an eight game home stand against the Drillers. The Naturals sit in second place in the Texas League’s North Division four games behind Tulsa.
Who’s Hot
Paulo Orlando seems to be returning to the form that many fans remember. After a spring injury and a cool start, Orlando’s bat has heated up in June. The outfielder is hitting .378 (14-for-37) over his last nine games with six runs scored. On the mound for the Naturals Buddy Baumann turned in a solid week in relief. The left-hander appeared in three games for the Naturals working four innings allowing three hits, while striking out five. He also picked up his first save of the season on June 17 in Springfield.
Who’s Not
Eric Duncan seems to always come through with a big clutch hit, but is hitting just .188 (6-for-32) with one home run and three RBI. Elisaul Pimentel had been on a hot streak, but had a rough outing on his last trip to the hill. Pimentel is 0-2, having worked nine innings allowing 18 hits and 11 earned runs.
Class-A Advanced
The Wilmington Blue Rocks (Carolina League) went 1-5 over the past week dropping to 29-41 on the season. The Blue Rocks have fallen to third place in the North Division and trail the Lynchburg Hillcats by 10.0 games for the division lead.
Who’s Hot
The Blue Rocks offense has continued to be sparked by shortstop Alex McClure. McClure hit .304 (7-for-23) over the team’s last ten games. He entered the season well-known for his defensive abilities. Edwin Carl has continued to shine on the mound for the Blue Rocks since being promoted from Kane County. In two outings last week he worked four and a third innings allowing just three hits and striking out five.
Who’s Not
Brian Fletcher has fallen into a slump. The outfielder is still tops on the team in hitting with a .289 batting average, but has hit just .159 over the team’s last ten games. Cole White has been hit hard in his last two outings in relief. White has allowed six hits and six runs, while issuing seven walks in his last five innings of work.
Class-A
The Kane County Cougars went 1-5 over the past week making them 34-36 on the season. The Cougars fell to fifth place in the Midwest League’s western division and are 10.5 games out of first place.
Who’s Hot
Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio is hitting everything that pitchers are throwing to him right now. The 19-year-old is hitting .333 over his last ten games with two home runs and an impressive 15 RBI. On the mound for the Cougars, Jason Mitchell has turned things around. In his last two trips to the hill Mitchell has worked 11 innings allowing eight hits and one run while striking out 10.
Who’s Not
Infielder Michael Antonio went through a tough week last week for the Cougars. He hit just .143 (5-for-35) with one run scored and one RBI. Aaron Brooks has not been missing many bats lately on the mound. The right-hander has allowed 21 hits and 14 runs in his last 11.2 innings (2 appearances).
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.
