Storm Chasers clinch playoff spot, struggle again offensively – Farm to Fountains

Week record: 2-4

Overall record: 49-24

Despite a four-game losing streak to end the week, there are plenty of positive vibes around this Omaha team after clinching their first playoff appearance in a decade. The squad wrapped up an incredible first half of the season last week and will look to replicate that success heading into the second half. Omaha’s pitching continues to perform well, holding the 3^rd best team ERA in the International League last week. However, two out of the last three weeks have seen the offense go through a dry spell, as the team finished 17^th in the league with a .238 avg last week. The group struggled to get on base, finishing with a .275 OBP with only 10 walks in 6 games. There are too many talented bats on this roster for the slump to last long, and I expect the hitting and pitching to complement each other again soon.

Hitting

Batting average: 4^th  (.262)

On-base percentage: 12^th (.343)

Slugging percentage: 1^st (.454)

On-base plus slugging: 5^th (.797)

Home runs: 8^th  (94)

Runs batted in: 7^th (386)

Strikeouts: 5^th most (691)

Walks: 15^th (283)

Stolen bases: 13^th (62)

Pitching

Earned run average: 1^st (4.06)

Walks and hits per inning pitched: 3^rd (1.37)

Opponents’ batting average: 2^nd (.241)

Home runs allowed: 1^st *least* (70)

Strikeouts: 14^th (642)

Walks: 6^th (297)

Starters’ ERA: 4^th (4.57)

Relievers’ ERA: 1^st (3.58)

Nick Pratto – 8 for 23, 1 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 SB

Season Stats: .243/.326/.421, .747 OPS

This is the kind of week we expected Pratto to have more often this season. The 25-year-old still hasn’t found his footing in Omaha, but hopefully, last week’s performance can kickstart an offensive resurgence. It would be a huge bonus for the Royals, who could use another position player on the 40-man roster who is performing well in Omaha. Pratto keeps a good on-base percentage because of his ability to draw walks, but strikeouts have been the biggest struggle for him at the MLB level. This year, he is striking out less than he has in seven years, albeit still at a 27.7% rate.

Runner-up: Devin Mann: 7 for 19, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 0 BB, 4 K

Daniel Lynch IV: 12.2 IP, 12 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K

Season Stats: 4.19 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, .285 OBA, 3.07 K/BB

Lynch continued his strong campaign in Omaha this year, starting two games last week in which he held a 2.13 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. It’ll be interesting to see what the Royals do with Lynch if he continues to struggle in the opportunities they give him in Kansas City. The talent and potential are there but haven’t been fully realized. It seems like a do-or-die season for Lynch, and I truly hope some things are able to click for him at the big-league level.

Runner-up: Walter Pennington – 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

June 25^th-30^th @ Columbus Clippers

Image credit: Minda Haas Kuhlmann