The Royals have a new leader in hits in their minor league system.
Hits
1.) Bobby Witt Jr. – 71
2.) Vinnie Pasquantino + Clay Dungan – 69
4.) Michael Massey – 66
5.) Ryan McBroom – 64
6.) MJ Melendez – 63
7.) Maikel Garcia – 61
8.) Nick Pratto – 60
9.) Edward Olivares – 59
10.) Dairon Blanco – 56
Sliding Down the List
#10 Seuly Matias, OF: I really thought Seuly looked like he had made tangible changes in Spring Training. He has just 49 PA in full-season ball to this point and didn’t look good while he was doing it. It sucks to watch a player with his kind of ability struggle, but the track record is starting to fall away from his favor.
AAA Omaha (40-25): L 4-6
The AAA debuts of Nick Pratto and Bobby Witt Jr. did not disappoint, but the Storm Chasers could not overcome some bullpen woes as they fell to the Saints. Daniel Lynch looked fantastic on the mound early, Bobby Witt Jr. and Nick Pratto reached base multiple times, and Kyle Isbel looked fantastic again in the loss. They’ll be back at it again tonight.
Box Score:
– Lucius Fox: 0-6, 3 K
– Bobby Witt Jr.: 2-6, K
– Nick Pratto: 1-3, 2 BB, K
– Edward Olivares: 1-4, 2B, BB, K
– Kyle Isbel: 2-4, BB
– Sebastian Rivero: 2-5, 2 K
– Meibrys Viloria: 2-5, 2 K
– Rudy Martin: 3-4, BB
– Daniel Lynch: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K, 3 ER
AA Northwest Arkansas (35-31): W 5-0, L 8-9
The Naturals finished up a suspended game from earlier this season and then played a regularly scheduled game for a nightcap. 1B Vinnie Pasquantino and 3B Jimmy Govern made their AA debuts yesterday and did not disappoint. Vinnie Pasquantino finished the day 5-7 with a HR and a 2B and didn’t appear to miss a beat. Additionally, as a big lefty that pulls the ball on the ground at times, the banning of the shift at AA might inflate his batting average numbers a bit which could push him to new limits with the bat. I’m excited to see what that looks like but do keep it in mind if he’s hitting .400 in a week or so. Jonathan Heasley fired 3.2 IP in his start with 6 K and 0 BB, but also surrendered 3 HR. Dairon Blanco also had a good day at the plate, finishing 4-7 with a walk. Angel Zerpa will be on the mound tonight.
A+ Quad Cities (44-21): W 7-3
Well. Vinnie Pasquantino gets promoted and the River Bandits offense does not miss a beat. Michael Massey and Seuly Matias both went deep in the victory, Maikel Garcia tallied 3 hits, John Rave and Nick Loftin doubled, and the pitching staff did its thing. AJ Block struck out 7 and did not walk a batter in 5.1 IP. Mitch Ellis and Nate Webb combined for 7 K and 0 BB in 3.2 IP of relief. Outstanding performance from a team that is going to hunt down a league championship all year.
A- Columbia: Rained Out
In Arizona:
- Erick Pena: 0-4, K
- Wilmin Candelario: 1-4, 3B, 2 K
- Diego Maican: 2-3, HBP
- John McMillon: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 R
- Jaswel De Los Santos: 2-6, 2B, 2 K
- Edgar Martinez: 1-3, 2B, 3 K
- Darnel Collins: 1-4, 3B, BB, K
Royals Farm Report 