Week record: 2-4
Overall record: 12-9
Summary
After an exciting 10-9 win to kick off the week, the offense largely struggled to get things going. The Storm Chasers scored 18 runs in their two wins, and 11 runs in their four losses. The offense was only one of three teams in the International League to have an on-base percentage under .300 last week. The pitching also tallied a 5.08 ERA, their worst in any series so far this season. On a positive note, although it lacked consistency, it was good to see the offense still having bursts of productivity. Not having Michael Massey in the lineup for the past four games didn’t help things either, as he was activated from the injured list and moved back up to Kansas City. Logan Porter also missed a majority of the week as a member of the Royals’ taxi squad while in Chicago. Omaha is still 4th in the International League in runs scored and looks to continue its strong offensive season heading into next week.
What to make of the starting rotation
The state of the starting rotation is a bit bizarre to me. Over three weeks into the season, the Storm Chasers are still using only four starters, and mixing in a spot starter. With Andrew Hoffmann hitting the injured list, they essentially used two spot starters this week in Luis Cessa and Jonah Dipoto. The results were underwhelming. Hoffmann was played on the 7-day injured list, so hopefully he will be back soon. The only starters having much success have been Jonathan Bowlan and William Fleming. It seems like a promotion should be coming soon to help the depleted rotation. There are strong candidates in NW Arkansas’ Mason Bartnett, Noah Cameron, and Chandler Champlain, who have all had at least two impressive starts so far this season. Austin Cox is also making rehab appearances in NW Arkansas and has spent most of his minor league career as a starter. The Royals signed starter Zach Davies to a minor league contract a couple of weeks ago but he has yet to make an appearance for the organization. It all seems a bit muddled at the moment.
What’s next for Drew Waters?
Drew Waters continues to stay hot so far this season, so much so that the Royals won’t be able to ignore it much longer (see stats below). The Royals’ least productive position right now is in center field. Kyle Isbel has by far received the most time in center, and has a slash line of .186/.213/.254 with a 29 wRC+. That is not going to cut it. What about Garrett Hampson, the Royals’ second option in center? He is hitting .222/.250/.259 with a 43 wRC+. That is also not going to cut it. Unfortunately, I can’t include Dairon Blanco in this discussion because the Royals essentially only use him on to steal bases at this point. The Royals need more production out of this position quickly if they want to stay neck and neck with a red-hot Cleveland Guardians team. Past Royals’ front offices may have given Isbel and Hampson the benefit of the doubt and drug out the process of making a change for months, but I am confident this regime will be making a move in the next couple of weeks if nothing improves.
Hitter of the Week
Drew Waters: 6 for 17, 2 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
Season Stats: .328/.411/.547, .958 OPS
Runner-up: Nate Eaton – 6 for 18, 1 2B, 3 RBIs, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
Pitcher of the Week
Walter Pennington: 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Season Stats: 1.72 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, .130 OBA, 6.67 K/BB
Runner-up: Will Klein – 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
Next up
April 23rd – 28th vs. Indianapolis Indians
Image credit: Omaha Storm Chasers