Week record: 5-1

Overall record: 10-5

Summary

The Storm Chasers are coming off a near sweep of the Gwinnett Stripers. The bats were extremely hot this week, holding a .326 AVG, .633 SLG, and 1.055 OPS as a TEAM. Those numbers are extremely difficult to hold over a full 6-game series. The pitching had an average week, holding a 4.67 ERA and .279 OBA, but had a great K/BB ratio of 3.29. The increased depth and talent at the big-league level have trickled down to Omaha this year, allowing the Storm Chasers to thrive in their current roster construction. Michael Massey has provided a huge boost to the offense but will likely be heading to Kansas City in a matter of days (or even today as the Royals begin a new series).

International League Rankings

I thought it would be fun to look at where the Storm Chasers stack up in various statistical categories compared to the rest of the International League, which consists of 20 teams.

Hitting

Batting average: 5^th

On-base percentage: 8^th

Slugging percentage: 3^rd

On-base plus slugging: 3^rd

Home runs: 5^th

Runs batted in: 3^rd

Strikeouts: 1^st (most)

Walks: 12^th

Steals: 4^th  

Pitching

Earned run average: 5^th

Walks and hits per inning pitched: 9^th

Opponents’ batting average: 12^th

Home runs allowed: 12^th

Strikeouts: 10^th

Walks: 11^th

Starters’ ERA: 9^th

Relievers’ ERA: 4^th

Who is up next if Salvy is out for an extended period?

The answer should not be too difficult. Logan Porter has been on an absolute tear this season and even has a few games of big-league experience. In 10 games, Porter is slashing an impressive .412/.500/.912 and 1.412 OPS. These are bound to regress quite a bit throughout the season, but it is about as hot of a start as you can get at the plate. He also is more than capable defensively and has even thrown out 6 out of 16 attempts to steal. I would expect him to back up Freddy Fermín in this scenario.

Hitter of the Week

Logan Porter: 8 for 15, 2 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K, 1 SB

Season Stats: .412/.500/.912, 1.412 OPS

Runner-up: CJ Alexander – 8 for 20, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBIs, 3 BB, 6 K

Side note: This is my 3^rd week in a row of having CJ Alexander as the runner-up, which points to the incredible consistency he has shown week in, week out.

Pitcher of the Week

Jonathan Bowlan: 12.0 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 13 K

Season Stats: 2.25 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, .237 OBA, 5.33 K/BB

Runner-up: Sam Long – 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Next up

April 16^th – 21^st @ Nashville Sounds

Image credit: Minda Haas Kuhlmann