It wasn't the news Schlater native Louis Coleman was hoping for.
Coleman, a pitcher in the Kansas City Royals organization, has learned that he will start the 2011 season at the Triple-A level with the Omaha Storm Chasers. The former Pillow Academy and LSU standout spent most of spring training pitching with the Kansas City major league team in Surprise, Arz.
Coleman had hoped to break camp this week with the major leaguers after some impressive outings with the Royals in spring training. After allowing a two-run home run in his first appearance, Coleman worked seven straight scoreless innings in relief.
In 72/3 innings against major league batters, Coleman allowed seven hits while striking out 12 and walking only one.
"Louis was disappointed as we all were," said Hal Coleman, Louis' father. "He was told he had pitched well enough to stay up, but there just wasn't a spot on the roster for him right now."
Coleman is expected to get his shot in the big leagues soon if he continues to impress the organization with his pitching in Triple-A.
In 2010, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander started out with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at the Double-A level and finished up in Omaha. He combined for a 7-3 record last season with 103 strikeouts and 25 walks in 92 innings.
In 1132/3 innings in the minors, he has held batters to a .181 average and has walked just 29 in that span - giving him a better than four-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.
n Contact Bill Burrus at bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com.
