Royals Minor League Report (9/9): Royals Farm Arms Steady In A Pair Of Losses

Drew Beam turned in a quality start for Northwest Arkansas, allowing three runs over six innings with five strikeouts, but the Naturals fell 10-1. Omaha lost 9-1 at Indianapolis, though Luke Little, Matt Moore, Ben Sears, and Lucas Erceg combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Carson Roccaforte went 2-for-4 with a double for the Storm Chasers, and Daniel Vazquez doubled home the only run Northwest Arkansas scored in the opening inning.

Kansas City Royals Transactions

• Kansas City Royals sent RHP James McArthur on a rehab assignment to Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

Omaha Bullpen Holds The Line After Early Damage In 9-1 Loss

Henry Williams was charged with nine runs on nine hits over 3 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out three in an eight-run loss in Indianapolis.

Indianapolis scored five times in the first inning. Two walks opened the frame, a single loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly brought in the first run, an RBI single made it 2-0, and a three-run home run pushed the lead to 5-0. Two more runs scored in the third on a two-run double with two outs, and two more came in the fourth on a solo home run and an RBI single.

The Omaha bullpen held Indianapolis scoreless over the final 4 1/3 innings.

Little allowed no hits and struck out one over 1 1/3 innings. Moore struck out three in one inning. Sears walked one in one inning of work. Lucas Erceg struck out two in his inning.

The Storm Chasers collected nine hits and scored once.

Roccaforte went 2-for-4 with a double, and Peyton Wilson went 2-for-4 with a double. Omaha's run came in the sixth. Roccaforte, the Royals' No. 9 prospect, doubled with one out, moved no further on a flyout, and scored on a Jorge Alfaro single.

Abraham Toro added a double, and leadoff man Alejo Lopez had a hit and a walk. Omaha struck out eight times, drew one walk, went 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position, and left eight runners on base.

The loss dropped the Storm Chasers' record to 63-74. 

Beam Delivers Quality Start In Northwest Arkansas Loss

Beam, the Royals' No. 13 prospect, allowed three runs on five hits over six innings, walking two and striking out five in a quality start. He was helped in the fifth inning by some quality defense, especially from center fielder Luke Pelzer.

Two of the runs he allowed came on home runs, including a two-run shot in the fourth inning that put Tulsa ahead 3-1.

Northwest Arkansas answered in the first. Tulsa opened the game with a solo home run, and the Naturals came back with two outs in the bottom half. Spencer Nivens singled to left, and cleanup hitter Vazquez doubled to center to bring him home and tie the game 1-1. That was the last run the Naturals scored.

The game broke open in the seventh, in favor of the Drillers.

McArthur, on a rehab assignment and pitching for the first time since 2024, retired the first two batters, then gave up a solo home run, a single, and an RBI single.

Anthony Simonelli entered after McArthur and allowed an RBI double before ending the frame, and Tulsa led 6-1. McArthur was charged with three runs on three hits over 2/3 of an inning.

Former first-round pick Frank Mozzicato gave up four runs on one hit and four walks over one inning, striking out two, with a solo home run and then four consecutive walks, the last forcing in a run. The latter performance was disappointing to see, considering Mozzicato was pitching much better in relief since August 8th. 

Brandon Johnson recorded the last three outs and struck out two, though two runners he inherited came home on a ground-rule double.

Northwest Arkansas finished with five hits and one walk against nine strikeouts, went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position, and left five runners on base. Connor Scott tripled to open the seventh and was stranded there.

Top-20 Prospect Performance

1. Kendry Chourio: DNP
2. David Shields: DNP
3. Josh Hammond: DNP
4. Blake Mitchell: DNP
5. Sean Gamble: DNP
6. Ramon Ramirez: DNP
7. Zion Rose: DNP
8. Asbel Gonzalez: DNP
9. Carson Roccaforte: 2-for-4, 2B, K
10. Taylor Rabe: DNP
11. Yandel Ricardo: DNP
12. Justin Lamkin: DNP
13. Drew Beam: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
14. Michael Lombardi: DNP
15. Jack Slightom: DNP
16. Felix Arronde: DNP
17. Angeibel Gomez: DNP
18. Ben Kudrna: DNP
19. Steven Zobac: DNP
20. Blake Wolters: DNP

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