I should probably start with an explanation for Kumar Rocker’s fall. I understand I was driving the Rocker hype train all spring, and while I still like him as a prospect, I just want to acknowledge that I now understand why others have him falling even further than this on their board. His fastball is electric when it’s right, it just hasn’t been right in a while. He doesn’t control it overly well and when it’s 95-96 it doesn’t matter too much, but it has been more like 91-93 lately which is not what I thought it would be earlier this year.
Photo of Yefri Del Rosario: David McLelland (@dwwmc)
AAA Omaha (35-20): L 0-2
Rough night for the Chasers offense, who has recently been gutted with the departures of Ryan O’Hearn, Emmanuel Rivera, and Edward Olivares at times. Olivares, Ryan McBroom, Gabriel Cancel, and Angelo Castellano each singled last night, while Kyle Isbel and Lucius Fox drew the teams’ only two walks of the night. Marcel Martinez turned in a good start for Omaha, allowing just 1 run in 6 IP. Tyler Zuber fired a scoreless 9th inning with 2 K in the victory. It’ll be Daniel Lynch for Omaha tonight.
AA Northwest Arkansas (29-25): W 8-5
The Naturals keep on rolling as the offense has been clicking on all cylinders for over a week now. Things could change here pretty quickly as Bobby Witt Jr. and Nick Pratto are off to play in the Future’s Game on Sunday and may never look back, but for now it’s been fun to watch. Yefri Del Rosario looked great starting the game for NWA and the bullpen held it down like they’ve done all year. Jon Heasley takes the ball for the Naturals tonight.
Box Score:
– Clay Dungan: 1-5, 2 K
– Bobby Witt Jr.: 1-2, 3B, 2 BB, HBP, K
– Nick Pratto: 1-4, 3B, BB, 3 K
– MJ Melendez: 1-4, 2B, BB, K
– Dairon Blanco: 1-4, BB, K
– Brewer Hicklen: 1-4, HR, BB, K
– Freddy Fermin: 2-3, HR, BB
– Yefri Del Rosario: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K, 2 R
– Stephen Woods Jr.: 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 R
A+ Quad Cities (36-18): L 7-8, W 2-1
After blowing a 3-run lead in the bottom of the 7th inning in game one, the River Bandits got back to their usual, winning ways in game two of their double header last night. Michael Massey finished the night 3-7 with a HR and just 1 K. Tucker Bradley finished 2-4 with a pair of doubles, a walk, and a couple strikeouts. In game one Anthony Veneziano allowed 3 runs in 5 IP while striking out 6. In game two AJ Block allowed just one run in 5 IP and also struck out 6. Asa Lacy takes the mound for Quad Cities tonight.
A- Columbia (27-25): L 2-3
Matt Stil looked great to start things off for Columbia, but once again the Fireflies just couldn’t put it all together as their slide continues. Stil did not allow a hit in 4 scoreless innings, striking out 7 and walking just 1. Emilio Marquez allowed just 1 run in 4 innings of relief with 5 K to just 1 BB. Kale Emshoff and Burle Dixon both doubled. Tyler Tolbert hit his 2nd HR of the year. Anderson Paulino will lead things off on the bump for Columbia tonight.
Royals Farm Report 