Week record: 2-1
Overall record: 61-33
Summary
It’s hard to dive deep into too many trends from only a three-game sample size, but it’s worth mentioning that the pitching finished the series with a 4.33 ERA, good for 2nd in the International League. The hitting was in the league’s bottom half in most categories but did enough to earn the series win. Daniel Lynch IV continues to impress in the starting rotation, going 6.2 innings of one-run ball in his start on Sunday. In the month of July, Lynch has an impressive line of 24 IP, 1.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, .186 OBA, 10 BB, and 23 K. Aside from Lynch and Bowlan, the starting rotation has had its fair share of struggles, with no other primary starter having an ERA under 5.92 in the last 30 days. Rodolfo Durán was promoted to Omaha on Friday and notched his first Triple-A home run, a grand slam, on Saturday.
Post all-star break storylines
Can players in Omaha answer the Royals’ roster questions?
The Royals have notably struggled in their bullpen and outfield at varying times this season. I would argue that they have a leadoff-hitter deficiency as well. Many fans are urging the Royals to turn to the trade market to fill those needs, but I believe that there are a few capable options in Omaha that would be worth giving an opportunity (I also think making one or two more trades could do the Royals a lot of good). The easiest answer is that there are bullpen options readily available in Omaha that are not being utilized, á la Walter Pennington. Beyond Pennington, I think Evan Sisk and Austin Cox have shown enough to warrant a promotion. The Royals’ trade for Hunter Harvey has lessened this need, but I think Walter Pennington may be the answer the Royals are searching the trade market for.
Things get a little more muddled after the bullpen. The outfield already contains multiple players who have earned an opportunity to play in Kansas City but haven’t made the most of it. Nelson Velázquez has had moments of competent play with the Royals, but his inconsistency and streakiness have clouded the bright spots. Drew Waters needs more time to draw any substantial conclusions, but the initial results aren’t promising. Tyler Gentry has shown promising signs of late, hitting .400/.481/.711, with a 1.192 OPS in July over 13 games. These three all provide easier options for the Royals to promote since they are currently on the 40-man roster, but John Rave and Gavin Cross also provide intriguing options among non-roster players.
Are there any players in NW Arkansas who could be helping Omaha right now?
There are a few players who I believe could make an immediate impact for the Storm Chasers right now:
Noah Cameron (SP)
2024 season stats: 70.1 IP, 3.45 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, .254 OBA, 25 BB, 80 K
Noah Cameron has been about as consistent as they come, only allowing more than three earned runs in an outing once this season. His improvement from last season is due in large part to an excellent cutter he added to his arsenal in the offseason, plus a velocity bump on his four-seam fastball that is sitting 92-94 MPH and topping out at 96 MPH this season. He would provide an immediate boost to the Storm Chasers’ starting rotation.
Javier Vaz (2B)
2024 season stats: .261/.379/.389, .768 OPS, 14.5 BB%, 11.8 K%, 121 wRC+
Javier Vaz got off to a slow start by his standards, but he has gotten back to being the on-base machine we’ve come to know. Those walk and strikeout percentages are not backward; he is walking nearly 3% more than he is striking out, which is absurd. That alone is helpful for any lineup, but add in a .261 avg, 14 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, 30 runs batted in, and 13 stolen bases, and you have a great all-around bat in the lineup.
Gavin Cross (RF)
2024 season stats: .291/.368/.440, .808 OPS, 10.5 BB%, 23.8 K%, 125 wRC+
Cross has been turning heads this season in NW Arkansas as he is putting his illness-riddled 2023 season behind him. He has been extremely consistent at the plate and has been a mainstay in the middle of the Naturals’ lineup. He is likely the outfield prospect with the highest ceiling in the organization, and I believe we will see him in Kansas City at some point in 2025. As for now, I’d love to see him donning a Storm Chasers’ uniform.
Hitter of the Week
Tyler Gentry – 4 for 10, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 SB
Season Stats: .242/.334/.421, .755 OPS
Runner-up: Brian O’Keefe: 2 for 5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K
Pitcher of the Week
Daniel Lynch 1V – 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Season Stats: 3.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, .260 OBA, 2.63 K/BB
Runner-up: Evan Sisk – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 SV
Next up
July 23rd-28th @ St. Paul Saints
Image credit: Minda Haas Kuhlmann/Omaha Storm Chasers