Week record: 5-1
Overall record: 24-12
Summary
This team cannot be stopped. They continued to find a way to win tight games this week, taking five of six from the Jumbo Shrimp while only outscoring them 32-26. Devin Mann continued his hot streak after winning International League Player of the Week last week, slashing .381/.458/.476. Walter Pennington started a game this week for the first time, pitching four PERFECT innings with six strikeouts. The team ERA this week was 3rd in the International League at 3.54. The Storm Chasers, 10-2 over the last two weeks, now hold a 3.5-game lead in the International League West.
Nick Pratto continues to find his footing
After a very slow start to the season, Nick Pratto has begun to heat up over the past few weeks. There was clamoring for him to make the Royals 26-man roster out of spring training, but the Royals wanted to see him prove some consistency in Omaha to begin the season. Now that he seems to be proving that more week by week, is there a chance we will see him in Kansas City soon? Time will tell, but I would love to see him get another shot this season. He’s now sitting at a line of .264/.343/.456 with a .799 OPS. The major drawback is his 31.5 K%, a number he has struggled with throughout his entire professional career. Seeing that number dip under 30% could go a long way in the eyes of the Royals’ coaching staff and front office.
What should the Royals do with Devin Mann?
The Royals acquired Devin Mann last year at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Ryan Yarborough to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The now 27-year-old utility infielder continues to produce at the plate, slashing .319/.429/.489 with a .918 OPS to begin the season. He has a below-average 26.5 K%, but a very respectable 12.4 BB%. Despite the impressive numbers, he has his work cut out for him to get a call-up to the big leagues. Nick Loftin, another utility infielder, is ahead of him in the pecking order, having already proved himself as a contributor at the big-league level. Mann has also played a fair amount of first base, but I expect Nick Pratto to get another opportunity over Mann. I would love to see him get a chance to show what he can do in Kansas City, but it may only happen to fill in for an injury. If he continues to hit like this and forces the Royals’ hand, he could potentially carve out a role as *nearly* full-time DH.
Hitter of the Week
Nate Eaton – 7 for 20, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 4 K, 3 SB
Season Stats: .333/.376/.529, .905 OPS
Runner-up: Devin Mann: 8 for 21, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K
Pitcher of the Week
Walter Pennington: 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
Season Stats: 1.40 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .165 OBA, 9.0 K/BB
Runner-up: Sam Long – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Next up
May 14th – May 19th @ St. Paul Saints
Image credit: Nishant Brahme/Omaha Storm Chasers
