By: Zach Reger
A storm is brewing in the Royals organization, and his name is Beck Way. Or should I say, a storm should be brewing?
Way, a 23-year-old, right-handed pitcher was traded to the Royals organization before the trade deadline from the New York Yankees. He was one of three players to come over from New York for Andrew Benintendi.
While it has been less than a month since the trade, it is time for Way to make a move within the organization. He is currently pitching on the mound in Davenport, Iowa, playing for the High-A River Bandits.
In his three starts for the River Bandits, he has a 4.74 ERA, which does not look great. However, he has a 1.32 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in those starts.
Given a new city and a new organization, it is understandable not to have a great start. That is exactly what has happened with the Royals No. 11 prospect.
His first start on August 2 was by far his worst outing. He was one out away from making it out of the fifth inning, and he gave up five earned runs. His strikeout total was still impressive, as he sat down six batters in 4.2 innings pitched.
With each start since, Way has improved on the mound. That includes giving up zero earned runs in five innings pitched.
The Storm Chasers are currently eighth in the International League West standings, so a post-season birth does not appear to be in the cards for Omaha. This record is not because of the offense of the Storm Chasers.
Their lightning-fast offense has led Omaha to 560 runs scored, which is good for seventh in the entire International League. Pitching has been the issue. Their +26 run differential shows how impressive their lineup has been as they have given up 534 runs all season. That is towards the top of the International League.
Many of those runs have come towards the end of ballgames, as well. In just the last five games, the Storm Chasers have allowed 13 runs in the seventh inning or later. On August 10, the Storm Chasers allowed three runs in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Omaha lost that game.
With the regular season winding down, Omaha needs some pitching help. Many scouts see Way as a reliever in the big leagues, so now is the time for him to give that a shot.
Way’s four-seam fastball can hit up to 99 mph, and he has a slider that can hit the upper 80s. His two-seam fastball and change-up can be quality pitches, but those are the two pitches where he has struggled with control.
The 23-year-old could help the Storm Chasers close out games, and while his ERA is high with the Royals organization, it sits at 3.89 for this entire year.
In Omaha, Way will improve the bullpen and can be used as a long reliever to try to gain control on his two-seamer and change-up. He is starting games in High-A, and that is not where he will be in the majors.
It is time for him to do what he will do in Kansas City and let the former fourth-round selection play some tougher lineups to see what he can do to finish out the season.
