Week record: 3-3
Overall record: 70-42
Summary
The Storm Chasers have now earned a series split in back-to-back-to-back weeks. They have gone one game over .500 since they secured their playoff berth on June 18th when they held a 47-20 record. That’s the nice part about securing a playoff berth in the first half: it alleviates the stress of every game being do-or-die during the season’s home stretch. Last week, the offense ranked 7th in the International League in batting average (.278), while the pitchers ranked 3rd in ERA (3.00). The pitchers also led the league in opponents’ batting average, keeping hitters under .200 on the week (.198). The week was highlighted by Omaha’s 16-3 win on Saturday, compiling 15 of those runs in only two innings, and CJ Alexander’s walk-off single in the bottom of the 12th inning on Sunday.
Hitter of the Week
Nick Loftin – 10 for 21, 2 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 2 BB, 3 K
Season Stats: .354/.438/.551, .989 OPS
Loftin has provided a spark for the Storm Chasers since he’s been back in the lineup. He led the team in hits this week, the only Storm Chaser to reach double-digits. He’s made the most of his time in Omaha, showing much more power there compared to Kansas City. He is boasting a .989 OPS in Omaha in 146 plate appearances compared to a .542 OPS in Kansas City in 164 plate appearances. The Royals undoubtedly want that to be an area of growth for him at the major league level, and he is showing that growth in Omaha.
Runner-up: Nick Pratto – 8 for 17, 3 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K, 2 SB
Pitcher(s) of the Week
Chandler Champlain – 7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Season Stats: 5.87 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, .274 OBA, 1.83 K/BB
Noah Cameron – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
Season stats: 1.42 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, .213 OBA, 17.0 K/BB
I truly couldn’t pick between these two pitchers for pitcher of the week. Both had incredible weeks in their own right. It also felt right to group them, as they are among the new wave of starting pitchers working their way through the upper levels of the Royals’ system. Mason Barnett was a part of that group as well before he was traded. Champlain had two outings this week, one start and one relief appearance, which was his first of the season. After a rough start in Omaha upon promotion, he has settled in this month, posting a 2.63 ERA in 13.2 IP.
Cameron has tallied 17 strikeouts to no walks in his first two starts in Omaha. Technically his K/BB is infinite at this point, but it was too ridiculous not to list it as best as I could in his stats above. He has commanded the zone well, generating plenty of whiffs on his off-speed offerings. The Royals have a lot to look forward to with Champlain and Cameron heading into 2025.
Next up
Aug. 13th-18th vs. Louisville Bats
Image credit: Minda Haas Kuhlmann/Omaha Storm Chasers