This Week in the Minors: Carson Roccaforte keeps on hitting

Northwest Arkansas Naturals (15-12, 3 games back)

The Naturals had a great week, taking 5 of 6 from the Springfield Cardinals. At the plate, Carson Roccaforte was 7-for-21 with a homer. On the season, Roccaforte is hitting .260, with 6 homers and 8 stolen bases. Local product Spencer Nivens out of Columbia, Missouri and Missouri State in 2023 went 4-for-11 at the plate. Nivens just returned from the IL after beginning the season on there. He is someone to keep an eye on. On the mound, Drew Beam threw 6 innings of 2 hit ball, allowing just 1 run. It’s the second straight good start in Double-A for Beam, who got the early season promotion, and then struggled to find his footing. Henry Williams threw 6 innings of 2 run ball on 6 hits in his one start. Felix Arronde, a 23-year-old out of Cuba threw 5 hitless innings in his start. Arronde has steadily worked his way through the system, and is in his first year in Double-A. The Naturals are on the road in Frisco; the series runs from Tuesday to Sunday. Here are the Naturals players of the month for April.

Quad Cities River Bandits (14-10, 0.5 game back)

The River Bandits won 4 of 6 from the Timber Rattlers. On the mound, David Shields threw 5 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits, while striking out 6. The 19-year-old lefty continues to impress. Kamden Edge threw 2.1 scoreless innings, lowering his season ERA to 2.53 over 10.2 innings of work. Edge is a 21-year-old righty out of Northern Oklahoma JC. Edge was drafted by the Royals in the 20th round last season. At the plate, Blake Mitchell was 5-for-16 at the plate with a homer, he also struck out 6 times but walked 1o times in the series. Mitchell continues to have a fascinating season, with three true outcomes, homer, walk or strikeout. Austin Charles continues to have a fantastic season. The 22-year-old shortstop is hitting .364 on the season with three homers and 8 stolen bases. Charles was 7-22 in the series. The River Bandits are home this week for Cedar Rapids. The series starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday. Here are the River Bandits players of the month for April.

Columbia Fireflies (13-14, 4 games back)

The Fireflies dropped 4 of 6 to the Pelicans in Myrtle Beach. At the plate, Josh Hammond was 5-22 with 3 doubles. The 19-year-old is hitting .298 on the season, with 2 homers and 5 stolen bases. Roni Cabrera was 4-for-17, and is hitting .261 on the season. The Fireflies have a good batch of talented hitters, but former first-round pick Sean Gamble has yet to get going. On the bump, Kendry Chourio made another start, after some concern from him not making an appearance last week. He went 3.2 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits, while striking out 4. Chourio’s season ERA is now at 1.65 through 16.1 innings. Jordan Woods is off to a great start. The 22-year-old lefty from Canada has a 2.25 ERA through 20 innings, while striking out 29 batters. He has made a couple starts and came out of the bullpen, even getting a save. He has been the Swiss army knife of the pitching staff. The Fireflies are on the road this week to take on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, the series runs Tuesday through Sunday. Here are the Fireflies players of the month for April.