After crossing the 70-win mark this past Saturday, the Rochester Red Wings closed out their series against the Charlotte Knights with a 7-5 victory the following afternoon. Now, the team is prepared to take a trip out west for a six-game set with the Omaha Storm Chasers for the first time since 1990, the Triple-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.
Here’s a look at the sole Storm Chaser who ranks in the current top 100 of Royals prospects.
RHP Lucas Braun (No. 16)
Since being activated by the Storm Chasers on 8/4, RHP Lucas Braun has built a pitching profile based on speed and consistency. Braun’s low-90s sinker ranks in the 96th percentile among all Minor League arms, while his 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP), 0.83 WHIP, and unblemished 2-0 record with the team showcase the immediate impact he’s made.
Braun was a member of the Gwinnett Stripers before joining Omaha, bringing traits of being a controlled, disciplined, and reliable arm with him. He has gradually lowered his overall ERA on the year with each appearance out of the Storm Chaser bullpen, and racked up a season-high seven strikeouts on August 13 versus Columbus. The 24-year-old has also displayed a high level of command versus left-handed hitters, currently holding them to a .200 batting average between Gwinnett and Omaha.
As a team, the Storm Chasers have recorded pitching numbers that fall on the lower end of the spectrum through Triple-A. Their ERA of 5.46 is the seventh-highest among all 30 teams, while their WHIP of 1.61 falls as the sixth-highest.
However, their latest statistics tell a different story as Rochester rolls into town; Omaha’s pitching staff has allowed fewer than four runs in half of their games this month, recently shutting down a Toledo offense by registering 5-1, 11-2, 10-3 and 7-2 victories over the Mud Hens.
RHP Eric Cerantola leads the bullpen, tallying the second-highest number of saves (11) in all of Triple-A, proving to deliver in clutch situations. Cerantola carries a 2.33 ERA in 34 games as a reliever this year and has a 3.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio, boasting strong command and the ability to frequently get pitches in the zone.
On the offensive side, the Storm Chasers’ metrics have steadily improved over the course of the season. They are batting .280 with 93 extra-base hits (57 2B, 36 HR) since the All-Star break, with SS Jack Pineda (.315/.354/.521) headlining the attack as a consistently efficient power hitter. He currently carries nine doubles and two home runs alongside a team-leading hard-hit percentage of .492 (min. 70 AB). The Baylor product elevates his game even further against left-handed pitchers, holding a slash line of .500/.500/.600 when facing southpaws – proving a significant platoon advantage.
CF Kameron Misner brings characteristics of strong plate discipline and hitting power to the table, as the 28-year-old carries the team-lead in on-base percentage (.378) alongside a slugging percentage of .563. 3B Brett Squires also slots into Omaha’s lineup as a hard-hitter, as the Oklahoma product has been a valuable offensive asset all season. Squires carries the team-lead in home runs (20) alongside the seventh-best mark of isolated power (.302) in the International League.
Following their lengthy road trip to Omaha, the Red Wings are set to return to ESL Ballpark on August 25, as they welcome the Buffalo Bisons into downtown Rochester for a six-game set.