Royals Minor League Report (6/24): Naturals, River Bandits, and Storm Chasers Drop Tight Ones as Fireflies Hold On

Carson Roccaforte and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals could not hold an early lead in a 7-1 loss, while the Quad Cities River Bandits fell 8-1 despite a Luke Pelzer RBI. The Omaha Storm Chasers rallied for two in the ninth but came up short, 3-2. In the lone win, Ryan McDonagh fired five scoreless innings, and Andy Basora closed it out as the Columbia Fireflies edged Kannapolis, 4-1, behind a two-run eighth.

Mets Transactions

• Kansas City Royals signed free agent SS Andrew Velazquez to a minor league contract.

Storm Chasers Rally Falls Short In 3-2 Loss

The Omaha Storm Chasers nearly erased a three-run deficit in the ninth but fell 3-2 to the Columbus Clippers at home.

Henry Williams turned in the longest outing, working 4 2/3 innings and allowing two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and four walks. Kris Bubic made a rehab start and was efficient in an inning of work. He had one strikeout and six strikes on eight pitches.

Columbus scratched out single runs in the third, seventh, and eighth innings to build a 3-0 lead.

Omaha's offense was quiet until the ninth. With Peyton Wilson aboard, Luca Tresh doubled to right field to score him, and Drew Waters followed with a double to center that brought Tresh home, cutting the margin to 3-2.

The rally stalled there. Tresh, Waters, Wilson, Brandon Drury, Gavin Cross, and Kevin Newman each collected a hit, but Omaha stranded four runners and struck out 13 times as a team. Tresh and Waters drove in the only runs. The Storm Chasers' record fell to 34-42 with the loss. 

Naturals Sink After Roccaforte's Early Homer In 7-1 Defeat

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals jumped in front in the first inning when leadoff man Roccaforte homered to right field, but the offense went silent the rest of the way in a 7-1 loss at Springfield.

Roccaforte finished 2-for-4 with a double and a home run, accounting for the lone run.

Steven Zobac drew the bulk of the work, allowing one run on three hits over four innings with two strikeouts, two walks, and a home run.

The game turned in the fifth, when Springfield erased a 1-1 tie by plating three runs, capped by a three-run homer off Oscar Rayo. The home side added three more in the eighth on a pair of home runs to pull away. Frank Mozzicato surrendered three runs in his single inning of work, and Rayo gave up three across 2 2/3 innings.

Daniel Vazquez, Jack Pineda, Spencer Nivens, Colton Becker, and Canyon Brown each singled, but the Naturals stranded six and managed just the one run. They also went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Northwest Arkansas is now 30-39. 

River Bandits Stymied In 8-1 Loss At South Bend

The Quad Cities River Bandits managed only four hits and fell 8-1 to South Bend. The game was ended after eight innings due to rain.

Emmanuel Reyes took the loss, allowing three runs, two earned, on three hits over four innings with one strikeout and three walks. South Bend struck first with three runs in the opening inning, one of which was unearned after a fielding error by Tyriq Kemp.

The game broke open late. South Bend pushed across three runs in the seventh, then added two more in the eighth, including a two-run homer surrendered by Kamden Edge in his lone inning. Quad Cities answered in the eighth when Pelzer singled to left field to score Asbel Gonzalez for the team's only run.

Gonzalez, Blake Mitchell, Pelzer, and Connor Rasmussen recorded the four hits, while Derlin Figueroa struck out four times. The River Bandits left eight runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Quad Cities is now 30-37 after the loss to South Bend. 

McDonagh's Gem And Late Push Lift Fireflies To 4-1 Win

Ryan McDonagh anchored the Columbia Fireflies in a 4-1 win at Kannapolis, throwing five scoreless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out three and walking two to earn the win.

The Fireflies built their lead early, scoring twice in the second inning. Josi Novas singled to bring home Hyungchan Um, and the inning produced the game's first runs.

Columbia tacked on two more in the eighth to create breathing room. Angel Ramirez lifted a sacrifice fly to score JC Vanek, and Jhosmmel Zue singled to left field to bring in Yandel Ricardo. Zue led the offense at 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.

Jhon Reyes, Hunter Alberini, and Andy Basora combined for three innings out of the bullpen, with Basora recording the save. Columbia worked nine walks but left nine runners on base. The Fireflies also went 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

The lone Kannapolis run came in the seventh against Alberini and was unearned. The win improved Columbia's record to 36-35 for the season. 

Top-20 Prospect Performance

1. Kendry Chourio: DNP
2. David Shields: DNP
3. Josh Hammond: 0-for-5
4. Blake Mitchell: 1-for-3, BB, K
5. Sean Gamble: 1-for-4, BB, 3 K
6. Ramon Ramirez: 0-for-4, 2 K
7. Drew Beam: DNP
8. Carson Roccaforte: 2-for-4, 2B, HR, RBI
9. Asbel Gonzalez: 1-for-3, R, SB, K
10. Yandel Ricardo: 1-for-4, R, K
11. Michael Lombardi: DNP
12. Ben Kudrna: DNP
13. Justin Lamkin: DNP
14. Felix Arronde: DNP
15. Blake Wolters: DNP
16. Steven Zobac: 4 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 2 K, HR
17. Austin Charles: DNP
18. Daniel Vázquez: 1-for-4, 2 K
19. Kamden Edge: 1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, K, HR
20. Warren Calcano: DNP

Interested in learning more about the Kansas City Royals' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!