Coming off of a high school career that saw him make the All-District, All-Area, and All-State teams for Lawton High School in 2013, Capps began his collegiate career with Redlands Community College in El Reno, OK, before joining UNC-Charlotte. He then transferred to Central Oklahoma to pitch his senior year in 2017. Capps started for the Bronchos, and while he walked nearly one batter every two innings (39 in 90 1/3 IP), he also struck out 85 batters in going 8-4 over 15 appearances (6 innings/start). Base-runners were only 6 of 13 in steals against him.

Joining the Royals’ organization in 2017, Capps spent time with both the AZL Royals and the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Pioneer League. He pitched only 12 innings in the Arizona League over four appearances (two starts), striking out eleven and walking four. With the Chukars, Capps made nine starts (41 innings), striking out 34 and walking 15 while posting a 5.49 ERA for the season. Keep in mind, however, that the league’s average ERA was 5.65, so while he didn’t set the world on fire, he also dealt with his first run at an offense-heavy league fairly well.

Capps came to the Lexington Legends to begin the 2018 season, and his numbers have improved across the board. Over 22 appearances (four starts, 60 2/3 IP), he’s struck out 65 batters while walking only 10 (1.5 BB/9; 9.6 K/9; 6.5 K/BB ratio). Especially of note was his seven strikeouts over four innings vs. the Columbia Fireflies on July 1^st (one hit allowed, zero walks); six Ks over 3 innings vs. the Greenville Drive on July 16^th (one walk, two hits allowed, zero runs); and seven Ks vs. the Augusta GreenJackets over a 3 1/3-inning no-decision (two runs on five hits, one HR allowed, no walks) on April 12^th. Ten of Capps’ appearances have been scoreless, a total of 29 2/3 innings (non-consecutive, but seemed worth mentioning).

After a rough April, which he finished with a 4.73 ERA due mainly to three HR allowed over 13 1/3 innings, Capps followed it up with a 1.15 ERA in May (8 R, 2 ER over 15 2/3 IP, 13 K, 2 BB), and a 2.87 ERA in June (5 ER over 15 2/3 IP, 10 K, 4 BB). July has been a revelation; thus far, Capps has set down 25 batters on strikes over 16 innings (five appearances), walking only three in the process.

Capps doesn’t waste time on the mound nibbling at the corners; he goes on the attack with a fastball that sits around 91-92 mph, throwing both two-seamers and four-seamers, and cutting it on occasion. He also throws two different breaking pitches; one is a slider that comes in anywhere from 80-84 mph and has good downward movement, the other with a tighter spin that has more lateral movement and a shorter, later break. The latter sometimes looks like more like a cutter than anything else. Capps will mix in a change-up at 81-82 mph, and though it still appears to be his third-best pitch, it shows signs of becoming at least a solid-average pitch.

Capps is a ground-ball pitcher, inducing grounders at a 54.3 percent clip so far in 2018 (2.38 GB/FB ratio), and has handled lefties and righties nearly equally well (.257 BA vs. RHB; .267 BA vs. LHB; .710 OPS vs. RHB; .690 OPS vs. LHB).

He has made only four starts this year, but certainly has the stamina to continue in that role if the Royals choose to keep him in the rotation. Capps topped 75 pitches five times in 2017, and went over 100 while with Central Oklahoma at least half a dozen starts. There is some projection remaining in his 6’2”, 180-pound frame, so it’s possible that he could add a MPH or two to his heater.

With some refinement of his change-up, Capps could become a back-of-the-rotation starter in the bigs. At the least, he presents the profile of a three-pitch reliever who can handle multiple innings and little reason to worry over match-ups vs. right-handed batters. Currently 23 years old, Capps could find himself in High-A Wilmington by early August if he continues to mow down batters.

Tulsa Drillers 11, NW Arkansas Naturals 7 –
Series Tied 1-1

Game two turned in to a wild affair as the two Texas League combatants tried to keep hold the attention of fans during a hectic night of sport. The Royals starter who had started the season as their #1 prospect at the start of the yeand sent to Double-A to regain confidence and mechanics, Josh Staumont looked to build on his quality work as of late.

Unfortunately for Staumont, he struggled with the zone and struggled to miss bats as well. The Drillers capitalized against the hard thrower, connecting on five hits while walking five times on the way to six runs in just 2.1 innings. A pair of doubles led to two runs in the first by Tulsa and was followed a two run home run. Two inherited runners scored off a single allowed by Yunior Marte in the third to push the deficit to 6-0 for the Naturals.

Another run in the fourth put NW Arkansas down 7-0, but they wouldn’t be deterred, getting a sac fly and a two-run home run by Nick Dini in the fourth to pull within 7-3. An inning later, three singles to start the frame was followed by an error on a ball hit by Ryan O’Hearn to pull them within a run. One more run in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Donnie Dewees tied it up and gave the Naturals a new game.

The new game though turned out much like the earlier one for NW Arkansas. After Yunior Marte plunked a hitter, manager Vance Wilson turned to reliever Matt Tenuta. The lefty didn’t quite have it on this night and things got away from him and his squad. After allowing a walk and a single to load the bases with no outs, Dodgers Drew Jackson took Tenuta deep for a grand slam and a four run Tulsa lead. The Royals Double-A squad couldn’t find an answer, and the series is even at a game apiece.

Boxscore Link

Josh Staumont 2.1 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 2 K, HR, 2-4 GO-FO, 66p/38k
Yunior Marte 3.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HR, 5-1 GO-FO, 43p/27k
Jason Adam 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 11p/8k
Samir Duenez 1-4, R, RBI, BB
Nick Dini 2-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI
Anderson Miller 1-3, R, 2b, RBI
Donnie Dewees 2-4, R, RBI

Idaho Falls Chukars 6, Orem Owlz 4

The Chukars pushed ahead early and received quality pitching to defeat Orem on Thursday evening. Outfielder Travis Jones carried the big stick for Idaho Falls, homering in the first to give Idaho Falls an early 2-0 lead, then going deep again in the eighth to tack on an insurance run. In between, Jones used his speed to steal a base and score a run in the third inning as part of a two-run inning.

Starter David McKay gave up four runs (2 ER ) over five innings while striking out five hitters to improve his record to 6-5 for Idaho Falls.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 2-4, 3R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, SB
Matt Morales 3-5, R, SB, CS
David McKay 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 6-2 GO-FO, 93p/59k

HR Roll Call: Frank Schwindel (22), Khalil Lee (17), Joe Dudek (9), Reed Rohlman (4), Cal Jones (3)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Frank Schwindel 3-3 2R, HR, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Travis Eckert 7 IP 2 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 3 K 7-6 GO-FO 86p/50k

Round Rock Express 10 Omaha Storm Chasers 3

Chasers pitchers didn’t have much luck limiting Round Rock’s offense on Monday night, allowing 18 hits and a pair of walks in a 10-3 romp. Starter Onelki Garcia got touched up early and often, allowing eight runs in the first three innings of this one. It was a run of singles with just two extra base hits allowed, but it was death by many cuts of the two Chasers pitchers.

On offense Frank Schwindel led the way with another big night on offense, going 3 for 3 while hitting his 22nd home run of the season.

Boxscore Link

Frank Schwindel 3-3 2R, HR, BB
Raul Mondesi 0-3
Ramon Torres 0-4
Hunter Dozier 1-3 R, 2b, BB

Lexington Legends 3 Asheville Tourists 2

Starter Travis Eckert had a solid night, allowing just a second inning run while allowing only two singles over seven innings. With that quality pitching, the Legends offense rewarded him with three runs. After Vance Vizcaino scored on a two out error in the fourth inning Joe Dudek homered in the fifth and Khalil Lee went deep in the sixth to give Lexington a 3-1 lead.

Reliever Collin Snider gave up a solo home run in the eighth, but finished off the game to secure his first save for Lexington.

Boxscore Link

Emmanuel Rivera 1-3 BB
Khalil Lee 1-4 HR
Gabe Cancel 0-4 K

Grand Junction Rockies 17 Idaho Falls Chukars 6

A rough night of pitching for the Chukars with all three pitchers giving up four runs or more in a blowout at the hands of the Rockies rookie squad.

The Chukars squad couldn’t match the power the opposition put up connecting on four doubles compared to the nine extra base hits by Grand Junction including three home runs.

Boxscore Link

Amalani Fukofuka 0-4 R, BB
Travis Jones 3-5 2R, 2b, RBI

Bluefield Blue Jays 12 Burlington Royals 4

The Blue Jays kept the Royals offense at bay thanks to 15 strikeouts spread among their four pitchers.

The Royals hit a pair of home runs, but had limited opportunities to score beyond that, going 1 for 4 with runners in scoring position. This while Bluefield connected often with an 8 for 18 effort, scoring a run on all four Royals pitchers.

Boxscore Link

Cal Jones 2-5 HR, 3 RBI
Seuly Matias 1-4 3K

AZL Royals 5 AZL Padres 1

A couple relievers followed up starter Charlie Neuweiler with scoreless work after the 2017 draftee tossed four and one-third innings of one run ball. The right-handed 5th round pick allowed five baserunners in his time, allowing the one run allowed on three mistakes that he made in the third inning. In that inning, Neuweiler hit the leadoff man, Denzell Gowdy, advanced him on a pickoff throwing error and then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed him to score once he had moved to third on a groundout.

The game was tied at 1-1 until the ninth when the Royals plated four runs, two of which came in on a Cristian Perez double.

Boxscore Link

Cristian Perez 2-4 2b, 3 RBI
MJ Melendez 1-4 3b, BB
Nick Pratto 0-3 BB

DSL Astros Blue 3 DSL Royals 2

The Royals fell behind when three straight singles in the third inning led to a pair of Astros Blue runs. After a fourth inning sac fly and a rbi single in the seventh by Paul Mondesi tied the game up the Astros reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the seventh on their own sacrifice fly. The Royals threatened in the eighth but failed to score before going down in order in the ninth to take the loss.

Boxscore Link

Angel Zerpa 3.2 Ip 2 H 1 R 1 ER 4 BB 2 K HBP 2-2 GO-FO
Kember Nacero 0-4

Player movement – Ryan O’Hearn and Logan Moon were moved to NW Arkansas to make room for Hunter Dozier.

Audio with Assistant GM of Player Personnel J.J. Picollo

HR Roll Call Frank Schwindel 2 (20), Darrell Miller Jr. (3)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Frank Schwindel 2-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI 

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jacob Bodner 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 3-1 GO-FO, 36p/20k

Iowa Cubs 8, Omaha Storm Chasers 7 

A pair of former Storm Chaser playoff starters faced off in Papillion on Monday. The 2014 PCL championship game starter Aaron Brooks started for the I-Cubs, tossing three efficient innings before running into trouble in the fourth. On the other side, ’14 National Championship game starter Christian Binford was running into similar fourth inning problems.

With the game at 1-0 Iowa, the fourth inning got interesting when Billy Burns dove and came up empty on a sinking two-out line-drive with the bases loaded. The ball got past Burns and all three runners scrambled home to give the Cubs a 4-0 advantage. Omaha answered in their half of the inning with a Frank Schwindel home run (19) and a two-run single by Garin Cecchini to pull within a run. One inning later after the Cubs had pushed their lead back to two with a solo home run off Binford, the Chasers and Schwindel were back at it again off Brooks, this time with a mammoth 437-foot blast (20) to left-center and an RBI single by Brayan Pena that gave the Chasers a 7-5 lead.

Unfortunately, that lead was short lived for Omaha. Reliever Seth Maness gave up a three-run sixth inning that featured a two-run home run by Taylor Davis. The Cubs bullpen would take control of the game from there, retiring the final 11 Chasers hitters.

Boxscore Link

Frank Schwindel 2-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Bubba Starling 0-5
Eric Stout 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 25p/16k

Frederick Keys 9, Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

The Rocks answered a four-run Keys second inning with a three-run frame of their own Monday, but their bats would go silent from there. While the Willmington offense went silent the Keys were playing music with their bats, scoring a pair in the fourth, another in the fifth and two more in the seventh for an easy win.

Most of the damage came on starter Colin Rodgers as the lefty gave up eight hits and walked four while allowing six runs in three innings.

Boxscore Link

Brandon Downes 2-4, 2b
John Brontsema 1-3, R, RBI, BB

Billings Mustangs 17, Idaho Falls Chukars 13 – F/12

The Chukars got involved in one of those classic high scoring Pioneer League affairs. The two teams exchanged leads five different times prior to extra innings with Billings jumping out to an 8-2 lead through six innings only to watch Idaho Falls comeback and take a 10-8 lead after eight innings. The Reds rookie affiliate wouldn’t mail it in though, scoring three runs to take the lead into the bottom of the ninth. Of course that lead didn’t last long with Darrell Miller Jr. hitting a solo home run to send the game to extra innings.

After the teams exchanged runs in the eleventh inning Billings blew the game open with five runs in the twelfth to finally build a lead that Idaho Falls couldn’t overcome.

Boxscore Link

Brewer Hicklen 3-6, 2b,, 3b, 2 RBI
Matt Morales 1-6, R, 2b, BB, RBI
Travis Jones 1-5, R, BB, SB

Burlington Royals 9, Danville Braves 8 – F/10

The Royals trailed 8-6 into the ninth inning of their third game of four versus the Danville Braves. That deficit was quickly sliced in half thanks to a leadoff single by Jose Sanchez that started the inning and a triple by Seuly Matias. A sacrifice fly by Benji Cash quickly tied the game to push the game to extras. In the tenth, Braves pitcher Cutter Dyals lost control of his pitches following an error that allowed Jose Marquez to reach. With Marquez on, Dyals pushed him to second with a wild pitch prior to Ryan Dale sacrificing him to third. With the winning run on 90 feet away and just one out Dyals did it again, uncorking a second wild pitch that allowed Marquez to race home for the winning run.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 1-5, R, 3b, RBI, 2 K
Sebastian Rivero 1-5, R, 3 RBI, 1-2 CS/Att
Jordan Floyd 3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 36p/25k

#WalkoffFeeling pic.twitter.com/p1x1NRpDAI

— Burlington Royals (@BRoyalsKC) August 15, 2017

HR Roll Call: Alfredo Escalera (7), Joe Dudek (8)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Travis Jones 5-5, 3R, 2-2b, 2 RBI, SB (11)

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Charlie Neuweiler 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 6-6 GO-FO

Royals sign C.J. Eldred
The Royals signed C.J. Eldred, son of Cal Eldred, to a minor league contract this week. The former Iowa Hawkeye underwent Tommy John surgery during the season, after one quality start during his junior year. The pitcher started his career at Indiana before transferring to Iowa, his father’s alma mater, where he had a solid sophomore season putting up a 3.43 ERA in 16 games (14 starts) for a team that reached the Big 10 tournament championship game. The right-handed pitcher has started to throw some already and has an outside shot of being able to pitch some during instructs. Terms were undisclosed.

AZL Royals 5, AZL A’s 4

The Royals built a five-run lead thanks to 10 hits; then hung onto a win. Starter and 2017 draft pick Charlie Neuweiler tossed five scoreless innings, allowing two hits. This was a nice bounce-back start after allowing his most hits in his brief stint in Arizona.

The battery partner for Neuweiler, catcher MJ Melendez, had two of the squad’s 10 hits while scoring twice to help pace the team in the win.

Mervyl Melendez one of the better players at the complex level. Can hit, will receive. Athlete. Competitor. Potential first division type

— Chris Kusiolek (@CaliKusiolek) August 7, 2017

Boxscore Link

MJ Melendez 2-4, 2R
Charlie Neuweiler 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 6-6 GO-FO
Nick Pratto 1-5, 3b

Game 1 – Greeneville Astros 6, Burlington Royals 5
Game 2 – Burlington Royals 3, Greeneville Astros 1

The Royals split a doubleheader with the Astros rookie squad on Tuesday. In game one, reliever Luis Alcantara couldn’t close the door, allowing a two-run home run in the sixth inning after Burlington had claimed the lead on a sac fly by Seuly Matias.

The Royals scored a pair of late inning runs with a bases-loaded walk and a groundout by Cal Jones to plate Michael Gigliotti. Reliever Tyler Zuber continued his stellar work with a strikeout in the final inning to save his fifth game. The former Arkansas State pitcher has now struck out 33 hitters in just 20.1 innings for Burlington.

Boxscore G1
Boxscore G2

Seuly Matias 0-6, R, RBI, BB
Michael Gigliotti 2-7, R, BB
Cal Jones 3-6, R, 2b, 2 RBI, 2 BB

Idaho Falls Chukars 10, Billings Mustangs 7

The Chukars plated quite a few runs early and hung on late for another win over Billings. Things got rolling in the second when outfielder Travis Jones got his big night started with a run-scoring double. That opened a five-run inning that gave Idaho Falls a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The pitching staff did enough while the offense continued to pile on with 10 runs total. Jones scored three and drove in two more as part of his 5 for 5 night that also included a great catch in the outfield.

The best performance for a 2017 draftee definitely belongs to Jones thus far, with the outfielder hitting .426/.486/.591 in his three different stops and 32 games of rookie ball.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 5-5, 3R, 2-2b, 2 RBI, SB (11)
Amalani Fukofuka 1-5, SB (27), CS (5)

Asheville Tourists 10, Lexington Legends 7

The Legends jumped out to a 7-1 lead on Asheville with a string of five singles in the fourth inning that followed a two-run home run by Joe Dudek. Starter Ofreidy Gomez couldn’t get away from trouble in the fifth, after allowing a pair of runs in the fourth inning. The righty allowed five runs including a three-run home run that handed Asheville the lead they wouldn’t give up the rest the night.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 3-4, R, RBI
Emmanuel Rivera 2-5, 2 RBI
Gabe Cancel 1-3, 2R, BB

Down East Wood Ducks 11, Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

The Blue Rocks had one more opportunity to score than Down East but couldn’t take advantage of the Rangers affiliate on this night. Wilmington went just 4 for 15 with runners in scoring position while Down East connected on 8 of 14 opportunities to keep the pressure on the Rocks pitching staff.

Starter Cristian Castillo’s struggles continued with five runs allowed in 4.1 innings. The lefty could be tiring down the stretch with an 8.65 ERA in his last five starts. Prior to that run, Castillo had put up a 2.61 ERA in his first 17 starts of the year.

Boxscore Link

Cristian Castillo 4.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 76p/44k, 3-2 GO-FO
Nick Heath 4-5, R, SB (16)
Chris DeVito 2-3, 2 BB

NW Arkansas Naturals 11, Midland RockHounds 5

Outfielder Alfredo Escalera’s three-run home run in the seventh paved the way to a win for the Naturals over Midland. The Naturals plated three more runs in the eighth to tack on, and the bullpen shut things over the last three innings to claim the win.

Boxscore Link

Richard Lovelady 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 38p/27k
Paulo Orlando 2-3, 2R, BB
Samir Duenez 0-4, R, BB
Donnie Dewees 1-3, R, 2b, CS (7)
Nicky Lopez 1-4, R, BB

Game 1 – Memphis Redbirds 3, Omaha Storm Chasers 1
Game 2 – Memphis Redbirds 4, Omaha Storm Chasers 2

Two games were played with each having a similar blueprint for Omaha on Tuesday. In both games of the doubleheader, the Chasers took leads to the latter innings only to give up the advantage and fall. In the first game, the Chasers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the fourth on a Logan Moon double, but four straight Memphis hits in the fifth scored three runs.

The second game had a similar feel for the Chasers. After an error gave Omaha two runs on a sacrifice fly by Frank Schwindel, the Chasers bullpen let the game get away. Usually reliable reliever Eric Stout gave up three runs as his control wavered. He walked the bases loaded before a bases clearing double by Gabriel Lino gave Memphis a 4-2 lead and the eventual win.

Boxscore Link G1
Boxscore Link G2

Eric Stout 1 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 38p/16k
Emilio Ogando 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 87p/50k
Frank Schwindel 2-4, RBI, BB
Jorge Soler 1-4, R, 2BB
Raul Mondesi 0-3, 2k

Wednesday Probables
Omaha – Christian Binford 5-8 7.93 ERA
NW Arkansas – Jake Kalish 0-7 3.41 ERA
Wilmington – Colin Rodgers 2-3 3.66 ERA
Lexington – Garrett Davila 7-6 5.59 ERA vs local product Riley Pint
Idaho Falls – Dillon Drabble 0-1 0.93 ERA
Burlington – Dan Tillo 1-0 2.45 ERA

HR Roll Call: Travis Jones (1), Randor Vargas (2)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Travis Jones 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Robert Garcia 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 77p/46k, 2-4 GO/FO

Omaha Storm Chasers 8, Memphis Redbirds 4

The Chasers got after Baseball Prospectus’ 7th Ranked Cardinals prospect on Monday night, blistering Luke Weaver for 12 hits and seven runs in just 5.2 innings. After a mini-PCL slump by his standards, Jorge Soler is back to causing havoc in the league, connecting on a pair of hits to drive in four runs against the right-hander. The first was a two-run single in the first to plate Billy Burns and Dean Anna, while the second was a double off the left-field wall that capped a five-run sixth inning for Omaha.

Three Chasers pitchers combined to work the nine innings, with Kyle Zimmer working the final two. Zimmer allowed a solo home run while collecting four strikeouts. The righty is regularly hitting mid to upper 90’s of late, and is starting to look more dominant in his bullpen role.

Boxscore Link

Jorge Soler 2-5, 2b, 4 RBI
Frank Schwindel 2-5, R, 2-2b —-The 1b/DH is hitting .379/.396/.676 since June 29
Kyle Zimmer 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 37p/23k

Asheville Tourists 7, Lexington Legends 0

The Rockies Low-A affiliate and Columbian pitcher Erick Julio kept the Legends bats at bay in game one of their series in Asheville. Centerfielder Khalil Lee continued his struggles with a 0-4 night that featured three strikeouts versus Julio as the righty got him swinging ahead of his changeup multiple times.

In addition to Lee’s struggles, pitcher Nolan Watson continued his dismal performance at the Low-A level. He allowed 11 hits and six runs (5 ER) in just 4.2 innings. The Indianapolis native saw his record drop to 1-8 with the loss.

Boxscore Link

Emmanuel Rivera 3-4, 2-2b
Khalil Lee 0-4, 3K
Gabe Cancel 1-3, BB

Idaho Falls Chukars 6, Billings Mustangs 2

The Royals 15th round draft pick, Robert Garcia, had the best outing of his brief pro career, spinning five innings of no-hit ball with just two walks allowed. The lefty hit the zone with 46 of 77 pitches and struck out six hitters to collect his first win.

The Chukars bullpen backed him with four innings by two pitchers, allowing two runs. The offense plated six runs with the aid of seven walks next to their eight hits.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 2-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Robert Garcia 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 77p/46k, 2-4 GO/FO

AZL Mariners 3, AZL Royals 1

The Surprise squad committed three errors which led to a pair of unearned runs against starter Ismael Maldonado. Among those miscues was first baseman Nick Pratto’s ninth error in his 30th game.

Those two runs were enough to hold off the Royals as their lineup struck out 13 times on the evening.

Boxscore Link

Nick Pratto 1-4
Tyler James 2-3 Bb, SB (20)

DSL Royals 3, DSL Dodgers 2 F/11
DSL Dodgers 13, DSL Royals 2

The Dominican squad split a doubleheader with the Dodgers Monday, getting an extra-inning win and getting blown out in the other game. Just three hits but three runs were plated in the victorious first game, including a home run by Randor Vargas.

Boxscore G1
Boxscore G2

Tuesday Probables
G1 Omaha – LHP Brian Flynn 4-2 6.00 ERA
G2 Omaha – TBD
NW Arkansas – Josh Staumont 1-2 6.04 ERA
Wilmington – TBD
Lexington – Ofreidy Gomez 5-9 5.11 ERA
Idaho Falls –  TBD
G1 Burlington – Nathan Webb 3-3 4.35 ERA
G2 Burlington – Connor Mayes 3-0 3.20 ERA
Surprise – Charlie Neuweiler 1-2 2.33 ERA

HR Roll Call: None

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Darrell Miller 5-6 2R, 2b

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Jared Ruxer 6.2 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 7 K 4-7 GO-FO 101p/63k

AZL Royals 4 AZL White Sox 3 

The Arizona squad walked things off in the ninth after giving up the lead earlier in that inning. Starter Gerson Garabito, working his way back from the DL, gave up a first inning two run home run to major league rehabber Leury Garcia in the first inning. The Royals came back with three runs of their own with a sac fly in the fourth and a pair of doubles in the fifth leading to two runs.

That lead held up until the ninth when Garcia connected on a single to drive in the tying run. That Royals quickly rebounded in their half of the ninth getting a Tyler James triple and a Nick Pratto sacrifice fly to walk the game off.

Boxscore Link

Gerson Garabito 2 IP 3 H 2 R 2 ER 0 BB 1 K 4-0 GO-FO
Nick Pratto 0-2 RBI 2BB, K, SB (7)
MJ Melendez 0-3 RBI, BB, K, 1-1 CS/Att
Isaiah Henry 2-3 R, 2b, BB, CS (3), OF Assist

Burlington Royals 10 Johnson City Cardinals 6 F/10

The Royals took a 6-2 lead into the ninth, but two errors and three groundball singles off closer Tyler Zuber led to Johnson City tying the game. Fortunately for Burlington, Johnson City returned the favor by making an error that allowed the Royals to retake the lead and open the door to a four run inning. This time Zuber closed the door with that lead.

Boxscore Link

Tyler Zuber 2 IP 3 H 4 R 0 ER 1 BB 2 K 4-1 GO-FO 37p/27k
Sal Biasi 5 IP 2 H 2 R 1 ER 3 BB 5 K 1 HR 3-3 GO-FO 98p/60k
Michael Gigliotti 2-4 2R, RBI, BB, 2 SB (9) has a .474 OBP

Idaho Falls Chukars 15 Missoula Osprey 12 F/10

The Chukars tried to give away a huge lead but bounced back in extras to earn a series win in Missoula. Starter Janser Lara struggled with control, walking five in three and two-third innings while giving up three runs in that time. Despite those struggles, Idaho Falls had built a 12-5 lead after just five innings. The bullpen couldn’t hold that lead, giving up seven runs from the sixth through eighth innings to tie the game and eventually send it to extras.

In extra innings, the Chukars got their offense back rolling with three runs on hits by Travis Jones, Freddy Fermin, and Cristhian Vasquez. Reliever Josh Mitchell closed it out to earn the win, tossing two and one-third scoreless innings in the game.

Boxscore Link

Josh Mitchell 2.1 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 4 K 2-1 GO-FO 37p/24k
Janser Lara 3.2 IP 3 H 3 R 3 ER 5 BB 4 K 3-2 GO-FO 83p/45k
Travis Jones 1-5 R, 2b, 3 RBI

Wilmington Blue Rocks 7 Salem Red Sox 2 

The Rocks finished off the Red Sox on Wednesday to earn a four game sweep of the High-A club. A Nick Heath double followed later by a Travis Maezes sac fly gave Wilmington a 1-0 lead in the first inning. After a Red Sox run in the second, the Rocks took control of the game with a three run inning. Again it was Heath scoring, this time on a Roman Collins double before the Rocks would score runs on a Jonathan McCray sac fly and bases loaded walk to Jecksson Flores.

Those runs would serve to be plenty for Jared Ruxer and staff as the right spun six and two-thirds scoreless before the pen gave a couple up in the ninth following a pair of insurance runs by the offense. The Blue Rocks currently stand two games behind Salem for second place.

Boxscore Link

Nick Heath 3-5 2R, 2b, SB (14)
Chase Vallot 1-1 R, 2b
Chris DeVito 1-4 R, BB

Arkansas Travelers 6 NW Arkansas Naturals 4

Starter Corey Ray’s struggles continued and the Naturals lack of power continued to haunt them in a loss to Arkansas. In three innings of work, Ray gave up six runs (5ER) including a three run home run in the third. While the NW Arkansas lineup could must just one extra base hit among their ten. A three run eighth inning provide most of the offense in the loss.

Boxscore Link

Yunior Marte 4 IP 2 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 2 K 4-2 GO-FO 56p/34k
Nicky Lopez 2-4 R, 2b
Donnie Dewees 2-5 R
Anderson Miller 1-3 BB

Albuquerque Isotopes 13 Omaha Storm Chasers 1

A rough one for the Chasers on Wednesday night in Albuquerque. Starter Eric Skoglund and reliever Pedro Fernandez were each tagged for six runs, Fernandez’s damage came in just one inning of work during a lopsided game. The one bright spot for the Chasers was that Frank Schwindel stayed hot, going 3 for 4 with a double and the only RBI in the game for Omaha.

Boxscore Link

Frank Schwindel 3-4 2b, RBI
Eric Skoglund 5 IP 8 H 6 R 5 ER 5 BB 1 K 4-6 GO-FP 92p/54k
Ryan O’Hearn 1-3 BB

In my opinion, the loss of Strahm hurts some but the Royals are trading from a point of strength with Scott Alexander and Mike Minor in the majors alongside Eric Stout and Richard Lovelady knocking on the door for the affiliates. The biggest loss here is Ruiz who, with his continued results in the DSL and AZL, might actually be a top-5 bat in this system despite me rating him outside the Top 30 while I waited for the AZL season. Someone in the industry comped him to Alphonso Soriano with that type of strength in the bat. The kid is a quick twitch athlete and will be missed to go alongside the future rookie grouping of Seuly Matias and Sebastian Rivero. That said, if you’re going to give up a minor league player in the complex league for a major leaguer then you do it if it could be the difference between a playoff appearance or not. It’s a loss, but it’s one that can be replaced next year with the addition of draft picks and international money rather quickly.

The affiliates went 1-5 on Monday.

HR Roll Call: Frank Schwindel 2 (16), Mauricio Ramos (8), John Brontsema (4), Logan Gray (2), Brewer Hicklen (3)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Frank Schwindel 2-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Adan Frias 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 4-4 GO-FO

El Paso Chihuahuas 14, Omaha Storm Chasers 6

With player movement all over the place, the Storm Chasers were forced to call up a pair of pitchers from Low-A and use their usual position players to get through their game against El Paso. Omaha used Miguel Almonte to start, but the righty didn’t fare well, allowing three runs in his three innings. The game really got away from Justin Camp when he allowed five runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

The offense was in the game until the sixth after Frank Schwindel clubbed a pair of home runs, but Brayan Pena and Dean Anna couldn’t continue to shut the door.

Boxscore Link

Cheslor Cuthbert 1-3, R, 2b, 2 BB
Jorge Soler 0-5, 2K
Ryan O’Hearn 1-3, R, RBI, 2 BB
Miguel Almonte 3 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, HR, 48p/33k, 2-2 GO-FO

Arkansas Travelers 4, NW Arkansas Naturals 3

The Naturals bats were flummoxed by starter Anthony Misiewicsz for eight innings. The Angels prospect limited them to four hits, three of which didn’t even leave the infield, and just one walk of shutout baseball.

That put the squad in a 4-0 hole after Emilio Ogando gave up three runs (one earned) in his seven innings and Richard Lovelady gave up a run in his inning. That insurance run proved to be the difference after Mauricio Ramos hit a three-run home run in the ninth, but the Naturals could get no more.

Boxscore Link

Richard Lovelady 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 30p/15k, 1-1 GO-FO
Nicky Lopez 0-4, K
Samir Duenez 1-4, R, 2b
Donnie Dewees 0-2, R, 2 BB
Anderson Miller 3-4

Wilmington Blue Rocks 1, Salem Red Sox 1 Susp/6

The Blue Rocks game was suspended after five and a half innings. Starter Scott Blewett was solid in his six innings, allowing one run on four hits with one allowed and five strikeouts.

West Virginia Power 8, Lexington Legends 7 – F/11

The two teams traded punches for eleven innings until West Virginia got the final knockout punch with a run in the bottom of the inning to floor the Legends.

Lexington took a one run lead into the ninth, but reliever Arnaldo Hernandez gave up his second home run of the game to send things into extras. In the eleventh, reliever Vance Tatum gave up a leadoff double and a one out single to take the loss.

Boxscore Link

Khalil Lee 2-6, R, 2 K, SB (17)
Emmanuel Rivera 3-4, 3R, 3-2b, RBI
Meibrys Viloria 1-4, RBI, 1-1 CS/Att
Marten Gasparini 2-5, K, SB (14)

Idaho Falls Chukars 14, Missoula Osprey 7

All nine batters in the lineup had at least one hit in the game, and the pitching staff did enough to earn the win for the Chukars on Monday night.

The Idaho Falls offense collected 19 hits, walked nine times and kept the line moving with sixteen singles in the game that saw them go 11 for 26 with runners in scoring position.

Boxscore Link

Freddy Fermin 4-5, 3R, 2b, 4 RBI, BB
Amalani Fukofuka 1-5, 2R, BB, 3K

Johnson City Cardinals 4, Burlington Royals 1

The Royals went 0 for 11 with runners in scoring position while starter Carlos Hernandez allowed a pair of home runs to drop the first game in their series in Johnson City.

Boxscore Link

Seuly Matias 0-3, BB
Dennicher Carrasco 0-3, BB
Michael Gigliotti 1-3, 2b, BB
Jeison Guzman 1-3, BB, 2 CS (2)

AZL A’s 4, AZL Royals 3

A walk and error opened the door for the A’s in the ninth, and a three-run home run kicked it in for a comeback win. The Royals had a 3-1 lead to that point after a Brewer Hicklen solo home run and a two-run fifth inning.

Boxscore Link

Marlin Willis 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Cristian Perez 2-5, R, 2b, E (7)
Nick Pratto 2-3, RBI, SB (6)
MJ Melendez 0-3, BB, 0-1 CS/Att

DSL Red Sox 7, DSL Royals 0 – F/11

The Royals and Sox went to extras tied at zeros but a seven run eleventh put the game away for the bad guys.

Boxscore Link

Adrian Alcantara 4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 K
Reynin Reynoso 1-5

HR Roll Call Frank Schwindel (13), Donnie Dewees (8), Wander Franco (4), Darrell Miller (2), Brewer Hicklen (2)

BPKC Hitter of the Day Travis Jones 5-6 2R, 2b, 2 RBI

BPKC Pitcher of the Day Anthony Bender 6 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 2 Bb 7 K 4-5 GO-FO 78p/52k 

Omaha Storm Chasers 7 El Paso Chihuahuas 6 

The Chasers offense got things going early before attempting to hang on late. First baseman Ryan O’Hearn kept his hot hitting going with his fourth multi-hit game in a row, doubling in a pair of runs in the first inning. After a single run in the second, it was O’Hearn’s single in the third frame that came in front of Cam Gallagher’s single and Frank Schwindel’s three run home run to put Omaha up 6-0.

After five scoreless innings, Eric Skoglund ran into trouble in the sixth, giving up three runs on a solo home run and three consecutive singles. With the Chasers needing inning the lefty worked seven before a two run home run in the eighth ended his outing. Luckily a sac fly by Gallagher had given him an insurance run and Kyle Zimmer worked the final two frames perfectly to earn the save.

Boxscore Link 

Kyle Zimmer 2 IP 0 H 0 R 0 BB 1 K 29p/18k
Jorge Soler 2-5 R
Cam Gallagher 1-4 R, RBI
Ryan O’Hearn 3-4 R 2-2b 2 RBI, BB

NW Arkansas Naturals 2 Tulsa Drillers 1

Three Naturals pitchers limited Tulsa to just one run in stopping their six game losing streak. Starter Corey Ray allowed a solo home run over his six innings, breaking his personal three decision losing streak. Both Naturals runs were scored in the fifth inning the first on a Donnie Dewees home run and the second on a two out single by Nicky Lopez that brought in Alfredo Escalera. Relievers Richard Lovelady and Jake Newberry finished off the final three innings with Newberry earning his league leading fifteenth save.

Boxscore Link

Donnie Dewees 1-2 HR, BB
Nicky Lopez 1-4 RBI
Paulo Orlando 2-4
Samir Duenez 0-4
Richard Lovelady 2 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K 2-0 GO-FO 28p/17k

Frederick Keys 5 Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

A second inning grand slam gave up by Cristian Castillo pretty much did in Wilmington. The Rocks got within 5-3 but went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position to drop the game.

Boxscore Link

Wander Franco 2-3 3R, HR, BB
Nick Heath 2-3 2b, BB, CS (2)
Cristian Castillo 5.2 IP 5 H 5 R 5 ER 2 BB 5 K 91p/53k 3-7 GO-FO

Lexington Legends 2 Columbia Fireflies 1

Lexington’s Anthony Bender was outstanding in his start Friday night, working six no hit innings in the process. After walking a hitter in the second inning and another in the third Bender got rolling, retiring the last eleven hitters he would face. Attacking the zone with his fastball and slider Bender would put away seven hitters with strikeouts. Leaving with a 2-0 lead and a no-hitter reliever Kevin Lenik would quickly give up the no-no, allowing a home run to the first hitter he would face. He would steady from there, getting out of the seventh and eighth innings with the lead before turning things to Vance Tatum who closed things out.

Boxscore Link

Anthony Bender 6 Ip 0 H 0 R 2 BB 7 K
Khalil Lee 0-3 RBI, BB
Emmanuel Rivera 2-4

Idaho Falls Chukars 13 Helena Brewers 1

The Chukars bats broke loose for 16 hits, acquired 11 walks and scored 13 runs in a Friday blowout. The three Idaho Falls pitchers combined to limit Helena to just one run on nine hits while six different Chukars had multi-hit games with newcomer Travis Jones pacing the squad with five hits.

Boxscore Link

Travis Jones 5-6 2R, 2b, 2 RBI
Amalani Fukofuka 2-5 3R, RBI, BB, SB (19)

Burlington Royals 4 Bristol Pirates 0

After setting a franchise record for shutouts in 2016 it took the ’17 squad until game 28 to earn their first. A pair of ’16 and ’17 draftees combined to earn their first as Nathan Webb tossed six scoreless innings while working around four hits and a walk before giving way to Jordan Floyd. The K-State product worked the final three innings scoreless to earn the save while matching the five strikeouts by Webb. The offense manufactured four runs for the win, getting five errors in contribution from the Pirates.

Boxscore Link

Michael Gigliotti 2-5 RBI, SB (7)
Cal Jones 2-4
Nathan Webb 6 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 5 K 83p/52k

AZL Royals 6 AZL Indians 4

Designated hitter Brewer Hicklen hit a two run home run in the eighth to break a 4-4 tie for the Royals. Over his last three games, the hot hitting UAB alum has 10 hits in his last 12 at bats with two doubles, a triple and a home run in that time.

Boxscore Link

Esteury Ruiz 1-4 3b, RBI
Nick Pratto 0-4 R
MJ Melendez 1-3 2R, 2b, BB
Brewer Hicklen 3-4 2b, HR, 2 RBI

DSL Royals 4 DSL Dodgers 0

The Royals limited the Dodgers to just three hits while capitalizing on two of their four hits.  Catcher Felix Familia doubled in a run in the seventh and then raced home on a double steal later in the inning. An inning later a two out single plated the Royals fourth run of the game.

Boxscore Link

Felix Familia 2-3 R, 2-2b, 2 RBI
Adriam Castillo 6 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 3 K

HR Roll Call: Ryan O’Hearn (16), Logan Moon (6), Anderson Miller (9), Jon McCray (5)

BPKC Hitter of the Day: Ryan O’Hearn 3-4 2R, HR, 2b, 2 RBI

Postgame Audio from O’Hearn

BPKC Pitcher of the Day: Yender Caramo 6 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 2 K 8-5 GO-FO 62p/45k

Omaha Storm Chasers 9 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 7

The Chasers built a big lead during their Tuesday afternoon contest and then had to hang on late for the win.

Starting pitcher Yender Caramo tossed six innings of efficient shutout baseball on just 60 pitches before tweaking his shoulder on the second pitch of the seventh inning. With a 7-0 lead at the time, it seemed as if the Chasers would cruise to a victory only to watch the bullpen struggle and end up in a dog fight. Reliever Christian Binford walked four of the five hitters he faced allowing three runs before yielding to Seth Manness who gave up five hits and three runs of his own. With their lead wavering at 8-6, the Chasers turned to reliable reliever Eric Stout to close the door, getting a four out save for his first Triple-A save.

The offense was keyed by a pair of two run home runs from Ryan O’Hearn and Logan Moon. Those hitters were on base multiple times each, accounting for seven of the nine runs scored in the game for Omaha.

Boxscore Link

Ryan O’Hearn 3-4 2R, 2b, HR, 2 RBI
Cheslor Cuthbert 0-3 R, BB
Eric Stout 1.1 IP 0 H 0 R 0 ER 1 Bb 1 K 2-1 GO-FO 23p/15k

Springfield Cardinals 8 NW Arkansas Naturals 3

The struggles to Josh Staumont’s season continued in this game versus Springfield. He threw just 38 strikes on 81 pitches in this one for Staumont who walked five hitters in just four innings while allowing five runs on seven hits. After three innings of shutout ball from Zach Lovvorn helped NW Arkansas claw within a couple runs, reliever Yunior Marte was roughed up for three runs on a pair of home runs to put the game out of reach.

A pair of hitters moved up from Wilmington had good nights at the plate with Nicky Lopez collecting three hits and Anderson Miller connecting on a double and a home run.

Boxscore Link

Nicky Lopez 3-5
Samir Duenez 1-4 R, BB
Donnie Dewees 0-4 BB
Anderson Miller 2-5 2b, HR, 3 RBI, OF Assist

Potomac Nationals 7 Wilmington Blue Rocks 3

The Rocks Scott Blewett kept them in the game despite less than his best stuff, working around three first inning runs and nine hits to limit the damage against to four runs in seven innings. This gave the lineup some time to pull within a couple runs but an 0 for 8 night with runners in scoring position and reliever Walker Sheller’s three runs allowed ultimately blew the game for Wilmington.

Boxscore Link

Brandon Downes 0-4 BB
Chris DeVito 3-4
Chase Vallot 1-2 2b, RBI, BB
Scott Blewett 7 IP 9 H 4 R 4 ER 2 BB 4 K 7-5 GO-FO 88p/57k

Idaho Falls 6 Missoula Osprey 1

For a team that has struggled to pitch, Holden Capps has been a welcome addition. The lefty worked another scoreless outing, tossing five innings while striking out four hitters. The offense backed Capps up with three runs in the third inning, two coming on an Amalani Fukofuka triple before he scored on a wild pitch. After a run in the fifth another triple, this one from Robby Rinn plated two more to put the game well out of reach.

Boxscore Link

Holden Capps 5 IP 4 H 0 R 0 ER 1 BB 4 K 6-2 GO-FO
Amalani Fukofuka 1-3 2R, 3b, 2 RBI, SB (17)
Cristhian Vasquez 2-3 2R, 3b

Johnson City Cardinals 6 Burlington Royals 3

The Royals two pitchers were knocked around for 11 hits and six runs while the offense was limited to just six hits. Catcher Sebastian Rivero had two hits at the plate while driving in a pair of runs. The 18-year-old is doing a decent job of holding his own at the plate hitting .263/.305/.408 with a pair of home runs.

Boxscore Link

Nolan Watson 4 IP 6 H 4 R 4 ER 2 BB 3 K 68p/44k 2-2 GO-fO
Michael Gigliotti 0-2 RBI, 2 BB
Jeison Guzman 0-4 2K
Seuly Matias 0-4
Sebastian Rivero 2-4 R, 2 RBI

AZL Royals 5 AZL Mariners 3

The Royals 3rd round pick, Dan Tillo, took the hill again on Tuesday for the Arizona League squad, tossing three innings with one run allowed. The lefty worked two scoreless innings before a one out triple and infield single plated a run in the third inning. An Isaiah Smith double plated Mauricio Ramos and Esteury Ruiz in the fourth to give the Royals a one run lead that they would not relinquish.

Royals Latin lefty Andres Sotillet struggled in Idaho Falls but has performed well in Arizona, working five and two-thirds innings on this night while allowing two runs and striking out nine to earn the win.

Boxscore Link

Esteury Ruiz 3-4 R, 2b, SB (8), PO
MJ Melendez 0-3 BB, 1/2 CS/Att, 1 PB
Dan Tillo 3 IP 3 H 1 R 1 ER 0 BB 4 K
Cristian Perez 1-4 2R,

DSL Royals 1 DSL A’s 0

The Royals Delvin Capellan is making a serious case to win DSL pitcher of the year after another solid start on Tuesday. Coming into the game Capellan had a microscopic WHIP of 0.66 and all he did in this one is lower it, allowing just one hit in his six innings of work. The righty didn’t miss as many bats, as usual, striking out just one in that time but he got 11 groundouts and left with a season high innings worked for a game. The games lone run came on a two out rbi single by Edickson Soto in the fourth inning.

Boxscore Link

Delvin Capellan 6 IP 1 H 0 R 0 ER 0 BB 1 K 11-4 GO-FO
Reynin Reynoso 2-3 R, CS (10)
Ismaldo Rodriguez 0-3 3K

Wednesday’s Projected Starters
Omaha RHP Luke Farrell 7-4 4.14 ERA
NW Arkansas LHP Emilio Ogando 7-6 3.86
Lexington RHP Jace Vines 9-4 2.71
Burlington LHP Joey Markus 0-1 9.45
AZL Royals LHP Marlin Willis Royals 18th Round Pick makes his debut.