Omaha Storm Chasers Preview

Projected Lineup

LF - David Lough

SS - Christian Colon

2B - Johnny Giavotella

DH - Max Ramirez

1B - Chad Tracy

3B - Irving Falu

RF - Paulo Orlando

C - Brett Hayes

CF - Willy Taveras

Rotation

Will Smith

Ryan Verdugo

Everett Teaford

Justin Marks

Chris Dwyer

Bench

C Adam Moore, UT Anthony Seratelli, 1B Xavier Nady, 3B Brandon Wood, OF Luis Durango

Bullpen

Michael Mariot, Nate Adcock, Donnie Joseph, Louis Coleman, Buddy Baumann, Anthony Ortega,

Brian Sanches, Blaine Boyer, Atahualpa Severino, Francisely Bueno

Some notes about this year's Storm Chasers:

• Plenty of guys on the roster that can easily see some time in Kansas City, whether it's due to injury or poor performance.  Some that will be kept a close watch will be Giavotella, Lough, Smith, Joseph, Coleman, Bueno.
• We should expect another great effort out of David Lough.  The 27 year old OF was blocked from making the Royals 25-man roster by OF Jarrod Dyson, who has plus-plus speed and is out of options.  I only see Lough making it to Kansas City via injury or September call-up.
• Johnny Giavotella lost the battle for the starting spot at 2B to Chris Getz just a couple weeks ago. He had a disappointing line of .267/.283/.400 in 21 games played, collecting 12 hits in 45 ABs, 1 HR on 11 RBI, 8 SO and 0 BB.  If history repeats itself, Gio shouldn't have a problem hitting in Omaha as he has .330 avg the past 2 seasons as a Storm Chaser.  He simply hasn't proven himself in Kansas City and time is wearing thin for him to keep him in the future plans.
• SP Will Smith had a solid spring going 1-0 in 11 IP, starting 2 games, striking out 10 batters with only 1 walk, and giving up just 7 hits.  For now, he'll get some innings in Omaha until an opportunity arises for him to head south to Kansas City. 
• Everett Teaford, Nate Adcock, Donnie Joseph, Louis Coleman, and Francisely Bueno could easily log innings in Kansas City.  Teaford and Adcock will be primarily used as spot starters if needed in a pinch.  Joseph, Coleman, and Bueno all had good springs and could be in the 'pen at some point.  Coleman will start off in Omaha only because he has options and J.C. Gutierrez, who won the final spot in the pen, is out of options.  Bueno will definitely be considered for a call up after compiling an impressive 1.56 ERA during his stint with the Royals last season.  Joseph, who had a 1-0 record with a 4.15 ERA in 11 games last year for Omaha, will spend a little time away from Kansas City as he was rather roughed up upon arriving to the Royals.  In 21 IP, he gave up 8 runs and had a meager 19/13 K to BB ratio.
• As the season progresses, the Storm Chasers could quite possibly add P Yordano Ventura and Jason Adam if they continue to flourish through the system, and a slight chance of having SS Orlando Calixte make an appearance.