This Week in the Minors: Omaha Storm Chasers season in review

The Kansas City Royals Triple-A affiliate, the Omaha Storm Chasers finished the year with a record of 65-81. It was a balanced season of sorts for the team, as they finished both halves of the season 8 games under .500. However, which players were able to produce a good season?

The good from the position players:

Brett Squires was someone that most Royals fans probably hadn’t heard of before the season started. Then, the 26-year-old first baseman just kept hitting. Squires was an undrafted guy that the Royals signed. He has slowly worked his way through the system. He was very good in Quad Cities in 2024 and had a middling year in Northwest Arkansas in 2025. But 2026 was all good for Squires. Between 32 games in Double-A and 100 games in Omaha, Squires slashed .277/.351/.549. He smacked 34 doubles, 3 triples and 31 homers, driving in 103 runs. He walked 56 times, striking out 141. He mainly played 1st base, with a little bit of left field sprinkled in. I would love to see him get a chance in Kansas City next season.

Carson Roccaforte had a phenomenal season. The 24-year-old centerfielder, who the Royals took as a Comp B pick in 2023, out of Louisiana-Lafayette looked the part. It’s been somewhat of a slow grind to get to Omaha, but Roc finally did. This season, he played 110 games in Double-A and the final 28 in Omaha. Between the two stops, Roc slashed .257/.338/.519. He hit 26 doubles, 5 triples and 35 homers, while driving in 96 runs. He stole 32 bases. The issue with Roc is he struck out 181 times. The primary centerfielder is unbelievable defensively as well. As much as I’d like him to be the Opening Day centerfielder next season, I think he starts in Omaha for the first month or two. Not because he’s not worthy, but because the Royals probably want him to get more time in Triple-A first.

Jack Pineda is a late bloomer type of guy. The 27-year-old infielder put together a good season. The Royals took Pineda in the 12th round in 2022 out of Baylor. Between Double-A and Triple-A, Pineda slashed .351/.413/.530 in 81 games. He hit 20 doubles, 3 triples and 9 homers. He walked 23 times, striking out 46. He stole 18 bases. Defensively, he played shortstop, third and second base, all very well.

Peyton Wilson had a nice season, slashing .276/.358/.433 in 94 games this season. He hit 29 doubles and 8 homers, walking 41 times, stealing 17 bases. Wilson is a 26-year-old infielder, who the Royals took as a Comp B pick in 2021 out of Alabama. Defensively, he played second, third and left, very solid infield numbers.

Gavin Cross got off to a rough start, but finished nicely, finishing the season with a .247/.306/.434 slash line. He hit 20 doubles, 5 triples and 17 homers. He stole 25 bases, walked 32 times and struck out 149 times. The Royals took Cross 9th overall in 2022 out of Virginia Tech, he is now 25 years old. He can play all three outfield spots well.

The good from the pitching staff:

If I am going to be completely honest with you, the Omaha Storm Chasers pitching staff is somewhat bleak. Mainly because it was a lot of older guys, some of them might be considered “washed”. So, this list isn’t that long. Most of the guys aren’t even with the team anymore or won’t be next season. They aren’t pieces for the future.

Ryan Ramsey is a 25-year-old lefty, who the Royals drafted in the 13th round in 2022 out of Maryland. He has grinded his way through the organization and finally got his first full year in Omaha. Ramsey made 28 appearances and 21 starts, throwing 115.2 innings. He walked 65, striking out 110. Opponents hit .275 off him. It wasn’t the most encouraging season, but a guy that could be in Kansas City next year.

Henry Williams is a 25-year-old right hander, who the Royals got from the Padres in the Scott Barlow trade. Williams made 28 appearances, 26 starts this season. Between Double and Triple-A, Williams threw 132 innings, striking out 120 hitters, walking 63. Opponents hit .277 off him. I think he could also get a shot in Kansas City next season.

Ethan Bosacker is another 25-year-old right hander. The Royals took him in the 13th round in 2023 out of Xavier. Between Double and Triple-A, Bosacker threw 62.2 innings. He struck out 48 hitters, walking 34, with opponents hitting .254 off him. This could be a bullpen option next season.

The final one who could be a Royal next season came over late in a trade. Lucas Braun is a 25-year-old right hander. He came over from Atlanta in the Lane Thomas and Bailey Falter trade. In his 8 starts with Omaha, Braun threw 37.2 innings, striking out 38 batters, while walking 13. Opponents hit .282 off him. He provides starting depth for the Royals next season.

Next year will be an interesting year for the Royals Triple-A affiliate. I hope they can get some more youth in there, especially pitching wise. Thank you for following along all year with Royals minor league coverage!