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Van Stratten putting up solid numbers for Royals’ Class A team

Every baseball player’s goal is to make it to the big leagues. For players stuck in Single A, Double A or Triple A, the only thing they can do is put up good numbers and force the club’s hand when it comes to promoting them to the next level.

Former Winnetonka High standout Nick Van Stratten is doing his part to force the Kansas City Royals upper management to take a closer look at him.

Playing for the Royals Single A affiliate, the Burlington (Iowa) Bees, Van Stratten is putting up some pretty good numbers.

He was a selection for the Midwest League All-Star

game and has hit the ball well since an early-season wrist injury.

“I was just hoping to get back on the field because I was tired of watching,” Van Stratten said. “I just started hitting the ball I guess. I am just getting the job done.”

Van Stratten is second on the Bees in batting (.317), third in on base percentage (.393), first in hits (70) and first in runs scored (48).

In his second season with the Bees, Van Stratten is hoping his numbers can help earn him a promotion to the Royals’ Single A Advanced team the Wilmington (Del.) Blue Rocks or the Double A affiliate

the Northwest Arkansas Naturals.

“That is probably the toughest part of the business,” Van Stratten said. “The only thing I can do is be happy I still have a jersey on. I am just going to take advantage of having the opportunity to play everyday. I guess I can just try to make it as hard on them as possible and keep doing what I am doing.”

It is also tough because Van Stratten has no idea what anyone is thinking when it comes to a promotion.

“To be honest I have no clue what they are going to do with me,” Van Stratten said. “They haven’t really talked to me. The only thing I know is what I can do on the field. I have to let them decide from there.”

Although he has not been in the minor leagues for long, Van Stratten has already taken part in a pennant chase. Last year he helped the Bees to a Midwest League title.

“I didn’t even know if I was going to play last year because I had a fracture in my foot three weeks before the playoffs,” Van Stratten said. “I was supposed to be off it like five or six weeks, but my manager and I talked about it and put a metal plate in my shoe. It was still a little sore, but being in an atmosphere like that you don’t even feel the pain.

“I was just excited to be able to play. It was exciting, probably one of the most fun times of my life.”

Sports writer Bill Knust can be reached at 389-6605 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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