Team showcases deep K.C. system

The Omaha Royals had their best season in a decade in 2010 — both on the field and in the seats.

The Royals, spurred by a 25-10 finish, wound up at 81-63 and just a game out of first place in the Pacific Coast League’s American Conference North Division. One more win would have created a three-way tie that would have sent the Royals to the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

And, in the final year for Rosenblatt Stadium, the Royals drew 406,276 to the ballpark — their highest level since 2000, when a larger percentage of tickets were either discounted or free.

Omaha started the season with modest on-field expectations. First baseman Kila Ka’aihue was coming off a disappointing 2009 season, and outfielders David Lough and Jordan Parraz — solid but not spectacular by prospect standards — grabbed the main headlines among position players. The pitching staff was a largely nondescript collection of fading or marginal prospects.

But Ka’aihue was having an All-PCL type season before getting called up by Kansas City, and Alex Gordon became a three-month force after a May demotion. Bryan Bullington, a former No. 1 overall pick, headlined the starting rotation.

More surprising, though, is that the Royals were at their best after Ka’aihue, Gordon, outfielder Jai Miller, Bullington and solid starter Philip Humber had moved on to the majors.

“This team here ... we may not have had the best talent, but as far as guys who just meshed together, got along and had a good time all year long, it was one of the best teams I’ve had,” said Mike Jirschele, Omaha’s 11th-year manager who just completed his 14th season as a minor-league skipper. “There’s not too many years where you lose your top two starters (Bullington and Humber), and guys like Alex and Kila, and you don’t miss a beat.”

It helped, of course, that down the stretch Omaha got major contributions from third baseman Mike Moustakas, the 21-year-old likely minor league player of the year. Moustakas hit a combined .322 with 36 homers and 124 RBIs in 118 games between Classes AA and AAA, including .293 with 15 homers and 48 RBIs in 52 games with Omaha.

But besides Moustakas, Ka’aihue (.319, 24 homers, 78 RBIs) and Gordon (.315, 14, 44), the Royals also got major offensive contributions from Ed Lucas (.307, 13, 50), Scott Thorman (.280, 22, 85), Miller (.267, 18, 56) and Lough (.280, 11, 58).

Lucas, at age 28, opened eyes with his ability to play multiple positions and swing an effective bat. And Thorman added veteran presence and leadership. Miller, an early-season waiver claim, and Lough both came on strong the second half of the season.

While Bullington (8-2) left for the majors with the PCL’s best ERA (2.82), he was 12 innings short of qualifying for the title. No matter, teammate Anthony Lerew (9-5) won the honor anyway at 2.55 — Omaha’s first ERA crown since Les Walrond posted a 3.06 ERA in 2004.

Four different Royals won the PCL’s pitcher of the week award during a five-week stretch from mid-July to mid-August, underlining the depth and quality of the staff. The team finished first in the PCL in both ERA (4.01) and shutouts (11), the second straight year the Royals led the league in shutouts.

Meanwhile, diminutive lefty reliever Tim Collins, 21, continued his status as an underground sensation, going 2-1 with a 1.33 ERA and four saves while striking out 21 in 2023 innings in August. Louis Coleman, the former Louisiana State star, was 5-2 with a 2.23 ERA.

Moustakas, Lough, Coleman and Collins are among a continuing surge of young prospects in a Kansas City system that many are now calling the most talented in baseball.

“I think that’s what you’re going to have to look forward to for the next few years,” Jirschele said. “The Double A club has a lot of young prospects that are going to be coming up. And this club had quite a few young prospects who were going through a learning curve and held their own. They’re only going to get better. I think you’re going to see younger teams here.”

Among the intriguing prospects at Class AA Northwest Arkansas (86-54 this year) are first baseman Eric Hosmer (who at times has been considered Moustakas’ equal), Texas League Triple Crown-winning first baseman Clint Robinson (.335, 29, 98), speedy outfielders Derrick Robinson (.286, 50 steals) and Paulo Orlando (.305, 13 homers, 25 steals), second baseman Johnny Giavotella (.322), and pitchers Mike Montgomery, John Lamb, Danny Duffy, Chris Dwyer and Everett Teaford (14-3, 3.36). Combined between Classes A and AA, Hosmer hit .338, with 20 homers and 86 RBIs, while Montgomery (7-5, 2.61), Lamb (10-7, 2.38), Duffy (5-3, 2.74) and Dwyer (8-4, 3.00) pitched well.

Some, or all, of them will be in Omaha’s new ballpark in Sarpy County next season. Light towers went up last week, and the sod is scheduled to be put down next week.

Omaha General Manager Martie Cordaro said the team has stayed on track in its three-year plan to take attendance from 350,000 to 375,000 to 400,000, and hopes to top that number next season — despite having the number of available permanent seats drop from 23,000 or so per game to, officially, 6,512.

“We’re very excited about the momentum generated the past three years, and we’re looking forward to the next 25 years (in Sarpy County), Cordaro said.

Cordaro said about 725 of the team’s 813 season-ticket holders have already indicated they will renew next year, and he expects many on the waiting list of 500 accounts to purchase season tickets when they become available in October. He said the industry standard is 3.35 tickets per waiting list account.

“We’re not naive enough to think we’ll get that many, but we are expecting about 1,800 season ticket holders next year,” Cordaro said.

While 6,512 will be considered a sellout, berm seating, picnic areas and standing-room only availability would allow the Royals to squeeze as many as 9,023 into the park, Cordaro said — making just under 650,000 the maximum possible attendance.

“We’re anticipating 425,000 to 450,000, but we haven’t yet set our attendance goal for 2011,” Cordaro said.

He said sales have been made, or commitments given, for over half the team’s 15 luxury suites.

Those coming to the games will quite possibly be cheering for a team other than the Royals.

Cordaro said 79 percent of the 1,400 submissions for a team name suggested something other than Royals. Of the 400 names suggested, a list of 24 will be produced next week and fans will have until Sept. 27 to vote at www.oroyals.com for their top three choices. Voting on nine finalists beings Oct. 4.

“We’ll be comfortable with the decision that we and the fans make together,” Cordaro said. “Professional baseball has been here consistently since 1949 and every year for the last 42 years, and other teams have come and gone. We’re going to make a decision about our name with the fans independently, regardless of other names that are in the market.”

Contact the writer:

444-1027, rob.white@owh.com

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