TWitM: Grand salami for Gavin Cross

The former first-round pick hits for some power this week

This Week in the Minors is our weekly look at notable performances from all over the system, from big-name prospects and less-heralded guys alike. The mission is to answer this simple question: “Who had a good week?”

Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers (25-37, 13 games back)

It was a rough week for the Storm Chasers as they dropped five of seven games to the Iowa Cubs, getting shut out in the first two games of the series where they managed just four total hits. Cam Devanney went just 3-for-19, but all three hits were for extra base hits, including a home run, plus he drew six walks. Tyler Tolbert went 5-for-17 with a home run and three steals. MJ Melendez had another great week, hitting 8-for-23 (.348) with three RBI and two steals to give him 11 for the year.

Ethan Bosacker was called back up to make a start and gave up just two run in 4 1/3 innings in a doubleheader on Friday. Veteran Rich Hill gave up just one hit and struck out six in his second start for Omaha on Saturday. Kyle Wright also allowed just one hit in 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball with five strikeouts. John Gant has struggled, but had his best start in an Omaha uniform with five shutout innings on Wednesday with five strikeouts. Lucas Erceg also retired all three hitters he faced in his rehab outing. Ryan Hendrix struck out nine in four shutout innings of relief.

Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals (28-28, three games back)

The Naturals split their six-game set with the Wichita Wind Surge. Gavin Cross had a big week, going 7-for-22 (.318) with two home runs, including a grand slam. Dustin Dickerson was 6-for-23 (.261) with a home run and 4 RBI on Sunday. Carter Jensen had 7 RBI on the week, going 8-for-23 (.348) with three walks. Javier Vaz was 5-for-17 (.294) with his ninth steal, and he still has more walks (15) than strikeouts (11) and the lowest strikeout rate in the Texas League.

Frank Mozzicato allowed just two hits in five shutout innings for the Naturals on Tuesday, but gave up four runs in less than four innings on Sunday. Ben Kudrna struck out six in 5 1/3 innings with just three hits and three runs allowed on Saturday. Caden Monke allowed just one run in four relief innings. Chazz Martinez tossed three shutout innings in relief with three strikeouts. Natanael Garabito did not allow a run over 2 ²⁄₃ innings. Nicholas Regalado had a pair of scoreless one-inning relief outings with three total strikeouts, picking up two wins in the process.

Henry Williams rejoined the Naturals after a stint with the Omaha Storm Chasers, with Ethan Bossacker sent back up to Omaha.

High-A Quad Cities River Bandits (33-24, first place)

The rain slowed down the River Bandits, forcing a few doubleheaders, and slowing the team down with a five-game losing streak against Peoria to cut their lead in the division to half a game. Sam Kulasingam had a big week, going 8-for-19 (.421) with a double, triple, and four walks. Callan Moss hit 7-for-21 (.333) with a double, triple, and his fourth home run. Austin Charles has struggled most of the year, but had a decent week, hitting 6-for-21 (.286) with five RBI and three steals. Carson Roccaforte was 4-for-15 with five walks, and enjoyed a five-RBI day on Thursday.

Felix Arronde tossed six shutout innings with just one hit and no walks, earning his second win of the year. Hunter Patteson allowed just one run in five innings with six strikeouts, lowering his league-leading ERA to 1.89. His 56 strikeouts are tied for third in the Midwest League. Tommy Molsky tossed two shutout innings in relief. AJ Causey pitched twice in relief, striking out two in three relief innings to lower his ERA to 1.50. Jesus Rios gave up just one run in 3 1/3 innings of relief, striking out three to lower his ERA to 1.80. Pitcher Jacob Widener was promoted to Quad Cities from Columbia.

Low-A Columbia Fireflies (29-28, 2 games back)

The Fireflies split their six games with Hickory, although they suffered an ugly 18-2 loss on Thursday. Josi Novas went 5-for-19 (.263) with two more home runs to give him nine for the year, tied for second in the Carolina League. Brennon McNair went 4-for-14 (.286) with his fifth home run of the year. Derlin Figeuroa was 7-for-23 (.304) with three RBI and is hitting .296/.373/.434 with the tenth-best OPS in the league. Catcher Gabriel Silva hit three home runs this week - his first three since joining the Fireflies - going 3-for-9 with five RBI.

David Shields threw four more scoreless innings with no walks and three strikeouts and has a 1.45 ERA in five starts. Yunior Marte tossed four innings on Wednesday, allowing just one run to bring his ERA to 2.61, third-lowest in the league among qualified starters. Henson Leal gave up no earned runs (three unearned runs) in 4 ¹⁄₃ innings of relief, picking up the win on Friday. Augusto Mendieta joined the team from the Arizona Complex League and threw four scoreless innings in relief, striking out 5 of the 12 batters he faced. Catcher Ramon Ramirez landed on the 7-day Injured List and pitcher Tanner Jones was placed on the 60-day Injured List.