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This is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: "Who had a good week?"
Today, we’ll cover results from Monday, May 22 through Sunday, May 28.
AAA Omaha Storm Chasers (26-23)
Shortstop Raúl Mondesí is working on an impressive 17-game hit streak with Omaha in which he has hit .406/.427/.710. This week alone, he added 11 hits, which included a double and a pair of triples. He was also 4-for-5 in stolen base attempts. First baseman Ryan O’Hearn had been in a deep slump throughout the month of May, but this week his hitting returned to its typically prolific form. He doubled three times and hit his seventh homer of 2017.
.@Rohearn11, a man of the people. Here's his 7th dinger of the year to the opposite field that tied us up at 1-1 in the 2nd. pic.twitter.com/xpCuamDp36
— Omaha Storm Chasers (@OMAStormChasers) May 29, 2017
Middle infielder Ramon Torres continued his reliable hitting this week, going 10-for-25 in six games. Torres has played 47 of Omaha’s 49 games, and only struck out 14 times.
Righty starter Jake Junis pitched brilliantly at Nashville on Friday, striking out 12 and allowing just two hits in seven shutout innings. He faced one batter over the minimum. The next day, Luke Farrell also threw seven shutout innings. He struck out eight, walked one, and allowed three hits.
Tonight’s starter for Kansas City is Eric Skoglund, a 24-year-old lefty who will make his Major League debut. In his last Omaha start, Skoglund struck out nine and walked zero against the Reno Aces. He allowed three runs on six hits in seven innings.
A note of concern regarding starter Josh Staumont: walks are up. Walks had been the biggest weakness in his game, and he did reduce them dramatically from the end of 2016 through the first six starts of 2017. However, in his last three starts, he has walked 19 batters in 16 innings.
AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals (25-23)
Starting pitcher Zach Lovvorn turned 23 on Friday, and also started Friday’s game for the Naturals. He went five innings, giving up two runs on three hits, with five strikeouts and no walks.
The next night, left hander Emilio Ogando pitched seven solid innings. With just 84 pitches, Ogando held the Midland RockHounds to one run on four hits and two walks, with four strikeouts. Reliever Sam Selman capped off that game by striking out the side.
Third baseman Mauricio Ramos swung a hot bat for Northwest Arkansas this week. He knocked out 11 hits, including three doubles and a home run. That home run was his 7th on the season, tied for the team lead with first baseman Samir Duenez. Utility infielder Jack Lopez hit his first home run of the season on Friday, and then hit another one later in the same game. Corey Toups will re-join the Naturals after being demoted.
Have yourself a day Jack Lopez! #SCtop10 @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/gynkHBhlL8
— NW Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) May 27, 2017
A-Adv. Wilmington Blue Rocks (26-24)
In six games this week, second baseman DJ Burt led the Blue Rocks with 10 hits. He also stole two bases, bringing his season total to a team-leading 15. The 21-year-old from North Carolina is hitting .228/.351/.305 on the season. Shortstop Nicky Lopez had another solid week at the plate, with two triples and a homer among his nine hits.
Left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady has not allowed a run in seven appearances dating back to May 7. During that streak he has allowed just one walk and six hits, and struck out 10 batters. Lovelady was a 10th-round draft pick in the 2016 draft, from Kennesaw State University.
Low-A Lexington Legends (24-26)
Good news: center fielder Nick Heath was promoted to Lexington for his first shot above rookie ball.
Bad news: He played two games, and then was placed on the disabled list.
Heath was drafted in the 16th round of the 2016 draft from Northwestern State University of Louisiana (enrollment: 9,002). In 62 games at Idaho Falls last summer, he hit .291/.350/.387, and stole 36 bases in 46 attempts.
In Heath’s place, center fielder Rudy Martin joined the Legends. The 21-year-old Martin has been in the Royals organization since he was drafted out of high school in the 25th round of 2014. Through his first two games with Lexington, he has a hit, a walk, and a stolen base.
In a double-header on Sunday, lefty Andre Davis pitched a seven-inning complete game. He allowed one run on five hits, did not walk anyone, and struck out 11 batters. Three of his strikeouts were against Tim Tebow.
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Other notes:
Reid Redman, a pitcher acquired with Brian Flynn from the Marlins for Aaron Crow, has retired.
Outfielder Ruben Sosa, signed out of the independent leagues last winter, has been promoted from AA to AAA Omaha.
Kyle Zimmer left for some rehab work in Arizona this week. This will be important as the organization scrounges for pitching in the wake of the injury to Danny Duffy.
The Royals released outfielder Tanner Stanley. He was a 36th round pick out of the University of Richmond in 2015.