AAA Omaha (12-7): W 10-7

It was a wild game for Omaha. Ryan McBroom, Alcides Escobar, and Emmanuel Rivera all homered to give the Storm Chasers enough runs to overcome a bad night on the mound. McBroom and Rivera also doubled in the game. Gabe Speier continues to be fantastic out of the Omaha bullpen, striking out one in a perfect inning to close things out. His ERA is still 0.00 for the season.

Box Score:
– Kyle Isbel: 1-5, SB
– Emmanuel Rivera: 2-4, HR, 2B, BB
– Ryan McBroom: 3-5, HR, 2B
– Sebastian Rivero: 2-3, BB
– Alcides Escobar: 4-4, HR

AA Northwest Arkansas (9-9): L 7-10

Nick Pratto continues to be the best story in the Royals system. After a horrific 2019 in which he struck out in over 34% of his PA and hit .191 in A+, Pratto is currently slashing .313/.459/.734/1.193 with 7 HR on the young season. His 7th HR last night cleared everything behind the bullpen in RF down in Springdale. I couldn’t be happier for this kid. I’ll be the first to admit that I had my doubts after his run in Wilmington. What he’s done the last 12 months is nothing short of remarkable.

On the mound, Yefri Del Rosario and Josh Dye combined for 6 K in 5 innings of relief. Both flashed plus stuff that could be featured in the big league bullpen as soon as next season.

Box Score:
– Clay Dungan: 1-5, 2 RBI
– Bobby Witt Jr.: 1-4
– Nick Pratto: 1-3, HR, 2 BB
– MJ Melendez: 2-5
– Josh Dye: 2 IP, 0 R, 3 K

A+ Quad Cities (14-5): W 15-5

The River Bandits hit everything that crossed the plate last night. This team has been on an absolute war path since the beginning of the season and didn’t let up last night. Vinnie Pasquantino hit his organization leading 8th HR last night. Jeison Guzman had a good night, homering and doubling. Will Klein and Mitch Ellis combined for 5.1 scoreless innings in relief of starter Zach Haake, striking out 6.

Box Score:
– Nick Loftin: 1-4, BB
– Jeison Guzman: 2-4, HR, 2B, BB
– Vinnie Pasquantino: 3-5, HR, BB
– Michael Massey: 2-5, HR, 2B
– Nate Eaton: 1-5, HR, BB
– Tyler Gentry: 2-3, HR, 2B, 2 BB

A- Columbia (12-8): W 4-0

Emilio Marquez, Rylan Kaufman, and Nate Webb combined for 12 K and just 1 BB in last night’s shutout of Augusta. Maikel Garcia finished 2-4 with a run scored and an RBI, Jake Means doubled, and that’s about all the offense that Columbia would need in this one. Rylan Kaufman has been outstanding for Columbia since his first start. He’s got 17 K and just 1 BB over his last 11 IP, allowing just 3 total runs. It’s really good to see this kid healthy. He’s reportedly spinning his curveball with over 3,000 RPMs again which is both elite and a great sign that he’s healthy. Great sign early on in 2021.

Photo Credits: Tim Campbell