TWitM: Who deserves a promotion?

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, July 10 through Sunday, July 16.

AAA Omaha Storm Chasers (42-50)

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The Omaha schedule was truncated this week by the All-Star break.

First baseman & designated hitter Frank Scwhindel started the second half off with some good hitting, with two doubles and a grand slam in the first four games back from the break. A caveat about his home run - it was hit off a third baseman, who was in to pitch because the Storm Chasers had a ten-run lead.

Right-handed starter Luke Farrell was solid in his start on Friday, with 10 strikeouts and two walks in six innings. He allowed three runs on five hits, including a home run. Lefty Eric Skoglund gave up just one run in seven innings on Sunday afternoon, with seven strikeouts and no walks.

AA Northwest Arkansas Naturals (50-43)

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First baseman Samir Duenez and outfielder Donnie DeWees each doubled twice this week, keeping them tied for the team lead in doubles with 18. Duenez also hit a home run, giving him 12 on the season.

Reliever Richard Lovelady still has a streak going of no earned runs surrendered since May 1, though one unearned run came in while he was on the mound on July 3. The earned run streak continues like this: 19 games, 13 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 BB, 41 K. He has also not hit any batters in that time.

A-Adv. Wilmington Blue Rocks (52-42)

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Chase Vallot had seven hits, including three doubles, in 18 AB this week. He also walked seven times, against six strikeouts.

A trio of Blue Rocks relievers have blanked all their opponents recently:

• RHP Walker Sheller - five outings (6 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K)
• RHP Franco Terrero - three outings (7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 11 K)
• RHP Grant Gavin - three outings (7 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 9 K)

Low-A Lexington Legends (47-44)

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The wildest highlight of Lexington’s week was their 7-6 win on Friday. Winning 7-6 is not inherently wild, but it happened in the 21st inning, and the game had started on Thursday and been suspended by rain after 20 innings. Marten Gasparini homered to break the tie.

A trio of Legends relievers put up zeroes in support of the marathon win. Justin Camp and Vance Tatum each pitched five shutout innings, and Jose Veras gave up a hit and a run in the 21st, but got out of it with no runs allowed.

Second baseman Gabriel Cancel doubled twice and hit two home runs among his 10 hits in five games this week. Cancel leads Lexington with 23 doubles and is 6th in the league in that category. Third baseman Emmanuel Rivera also hit 10 times this week. Rivera has been solid all year through 81 games with Lexington, with a .309/.364/.479 line.

Outfielder Vance Vizcaino made his full-season debut this week after starting the season in Idaho Falls. Fun fact about Vizcaino: he was drafted four times before finally signing. The Mets chose him in the 31st round in 2012; the Royals tried in the 29th round in 2014; the Diamondbacks in the 31st round in 2015, and finally the Royals again drafted him in the 11th round in 2016.

Righty Jace Vines pitched eight innings on Wednesday. He allowed two runs on five hits, with five strikeouts and no walks.

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Other news: Infielder Jack Lopez was promoted to Omaha on Monday afternoon. That makes for a crowded left side, as Cheslor Cuthbert also joined the Storm Chasers to begin a rehab assignment on his injured wrist.

Omaha has primarily used former Red Sox prospect Garin Cecchini at the hot corner. Cheech is batting .256/.283/.379 in his 65 games.

Right-hander Jace Vines perhaps merits a promotion after some solid performances this season with Lexington. He gave up just two runs in eight innings with no walks his last time out.

Catcher M.J. Melendez, who was the 2nd round pick in the 2017 draft for the Royals, was 8-for-19 in the Arizona Summer League this week and is hitting .380/.483/.600 overall. Teammate Esteury Ruiz was 12-for-26 this week, and the outfielder is hitting .426/.452/.824 overall.

Who else would you promote or demote, if Dayton Moore handed you control over minor league rosters?