Chasers Celebrate Decade of Success
Minus a few years in the 1960s, Omaha has been a Triple-A baseball city since 1955. And over that long period of time, the teams that have called it home have seen their fair share of success on the diamond.
Minus a few years in the 1960s, Omaha has been a Triple-A baseball city since 1955. And over that long period of time, the teams that have called it home have seen their fair share of success on the diamond.
Nothing, however, compares to the run that the current franchise had during the past decade. Omaha claimed four division crowns, three Pacific Coast League titles and two Triple-A National Championships.
Many of the players involved in those achievements went on to success in the majors. In fact, seven of the 15 players on the Omaha 20-Teens Team have reached All-Star status in the big leagues. Announced today, this elite group - which played here under managers Mike Jirschele and Brian Poldberg during the decade - represented the best of an unforgettable era (2010-19) in the Kansas City Royals organization.
This team is so loaded that a Minor League Player of the Year (Wil Myers), a 100-RBI performer (Clint Robinson) and a two-time Omaha player of the year (Frank Schwindel) couldn't crack the lineup. Some of the players that did make the list, however, went on to help Kansas City win its first world title in 30 years while combining for 18 MLB All-Star Game selections and 17 Gold Glove Awards in the 2010s.
Headlining the group is Kansas City stalwart
The corner infielders on the squad are Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas. Both, like Gordon, were Top-5 draft picks for the Royals, and they helped the Chasers break in their new home at Werner Park. Moustakas broke the Omaha franchise record with an 11-RBI day at Rosenblatt Stadium in 2010 before driving in Hosmer for the first run by the Chasers at Werner. They later became world champions with Kansas City.
All-time franchise hits leader
The players on the list, and their teammates, made the 20-Teens a ton of fun in Omaha - both at Rosenblatt Stadium and Werner Park. The standard here is high as the first season of the 2020s nears.
The Omaha 20-Teens Team
Catcher: Salvador Perez
First Base: Eric Hosmer
Second Base: Johnny Giavotella
Shortstop: Irving Falu
Third Base: Mike Moustakas
Outfield: Lorenzo Cain
Outfield: Alex Gordon
Outfield: Paulo Orlando
Designated Hitter: Jose Martinez
Utility Player: Whit Merrifield
Pitcher: Aaron Brooks
Pitcher: Louis Coleman
Pitcher: Danny Duffy
Pitcher: Kelvin Herrera
Pitcher: Luis Mendoza