You're driving south from Omaha, past the suburban sprawl, and suddenly there it is—Werner Park. It’s a clean, modern park tucked into Papillion, Nebraska, but it carries a weight that most minor league stadiums can't touch. This is the home of the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Kansas City Royals Triple A team, and the connection between these two cities is, honestly, one of the weirdest and coolest things in baseball.
Most big-league clubs swap affiliates like they’re trading Pokémon cards. Not these two.
The Royals and Omaha have been "married" since 1969. That’s more than 55 years. When the Royals were born as an expansion team, they planted their top prospects in Omaha, and they’ve never left. Whether they were called the Royals, the Golden Spikes (we don't talk about those jerseys much), or the Storm Chasers, the DNA is the same.
The 2026 Shift: A New Era Under Patrick Osborn
If you’ve been following the box scores lately, you’ve noticed a change in the dugout. Mike Jirschele, a literal legend in the organization, finally hung up the cleats after the 2025 season.
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Basically, the torch has been passed.
Patrick Osborn is the man in charge for the 2026 season. It’s a smart move. Osborn isn’t some random hire; he was the bench coach last year. He knows these kids. He knows why the team struggled through a rough 62-86 campaign in 2025, and he’s clearly been tasked with turning that around.
The coaching staff is a mix of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" and fresh energy:
- Dane Johnson is back as pitching coach (bless him, he had his work cut out for him last year).
- Bijan Rademacher is handling the bats.
- Tripp Keister and David Lundquist are rounding out a staff that feels more like a cohesive unit than a group of guys just passing through.
What Really Happened in 2025?
Let’s be real: last year was a grind. Finishing 17th in a 20-team International League isn't exactly what you want to see on the back of a baseball card. But if you look closer at the Kansas City Royals Triple A team stats, it wasn't all gloom and doom.
The Chasers were actually dangerous in short bursts. They hit 199 home runs—the fourth-most in the history of the franchise. They were basically the "three true outcomes" team of the International League. If they weren't striking out, they were usually launching balls into the Sarpy County night.
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The problem? One-run games. They were 13-23 in contests decided by a single run. That’ll break a manager’s heart. You’ve got a team that can mash, but they couldn't close the door.
The Pitching Puzzle
The mound was... inconsistent. Chandler Champlain was a workhorse, leading the staff with 100 strikeouts. You’ve also got guys like Noah Cameron and Ben Kudrna (who finally got the bump to Triple-A late in the year) trying to figure out how to navigate the "automated strike zone" without losing their minds.
Kudrna is the one to watch. The Royals protected him from the Rule 5 draft in late 2025 for a reason. He’s got that "local kid makes good" energy, being a Kansas native, and his mid-90s heater is starting to look like a legitimate MLB weapon.
The Names You Need to Know Right Now
If you're heading to Werner Park this summer, you aren't just there for the $2 hot dogs. You're there to see the future. The 2026 roster is essentially a waiting room for Kauffman Stadium.
1. Carter Jensen (Catcher)
Honestly, Jensen might be the most exciting prospect the Royals have had at catcher since Salvy was a teenager. He tore through Double-A last year and didn't blink when he got to Omaha. He’s got this weirdly disciplined eye for a 22-year-old. Most kids his age are swinging at everything; Jensen waits for his pitch and then punishes it. He already got a cup of coffee in KC at the end of '25, so don't be surprised if he's the primary backstop in the bigs before June.
2. Jac Caglianone (First Base/DH)
The "Italian Stallion" of the Royals system. He’s a mountain of a human being. When he connects, the sound is different. He spent some time on the rehab/dev list at the end of 2025, but a healthy Caglianone in Omaha is a nightmare for International League pitchers.
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3. Ben Kudrna (RHP)
As mentioned, the velocity is there. The question for 2026 is his command. Triple-A hitters are mostly "Quad-A" vets—guys who have played in the bigs and won't chase your junk. If Kudrna can locate his slider, he’s gone. KC will call him up the second they need a fresh arm.
Werner Park: Not Just a Baseball Field
It’s easy to forget that the Kansas City Royals Triple A team is also a business. Werner Park is the heart of Papillion.
They’ve got this thing called the "Cosmic Takeover Tour" coming in May 2026. It’s basically baseball under blacklights with neon everything. It sounds tacky, but it sells out every time.
The stadium itself is intimate. There are only about 6,300 fixed seats. You can sit in the "Sunbelt Bakery Home Run Porch" and actually feel like you’re part of the game. It’s a far cry from the old days at Rosenblatt Stadium, where you felt like you were sitting in a massive concrete bowl. Werner feels like a neighborhood hangout that happens to have future All-Stars on the grass.
Why the Royals Affiliate is Unique
In the modern era of baseball, most MLB teams treat their Triple-A affiliate like a revolving door. They don't care about the city; they just want a place near an airport.
But the Royals own a piece of this history.
George Brett played here. Frank White played here. Willie Wilson, Bo Jackson, Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas—they all wore the Omaha jersey. When you walk through the concourse at Werner, you see the "Omaha MLB Alumni" wall, and it's a reminder that the road to a World Series trophy in Kansas City literally runs through I-29 North.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you’re looking to get ahead of the curve on the Kansas City Royals Triple A team, here’s what you should actually be doing:
- Watch the "Development List": In Triple-A, being on the "Development List" isn't always a bad thing. It often means the Royals are tweaking a pitcher's mechanics or a hitter's swing away from the pressure of daily games. Keep an eye on guys like John Gant or Ryan Ramsey when they return from these stints; that’s usually when they're "ready."
- Target the "Late-Summer" Call-ups: If you're a card collector or a fantasy baseball junkie, the 2026 season is going to be heavy on pitching call-ups. The Royals' big-league rotation has some age on it. Luinder Avila and Steven Zobac are the names to buy low on before they hit the headlines in KC.
- Visit in May or June: The weather in Nebraska is brutal in April (snow is possible) and oppressive in August. The sweet spot for seeing the Storm Chasers is late May. You get the best version of the roster before the "Super Two" deadline call-ups happen.
- Follow the Staff: Patrick Osborn is a high-energy guy. If you’re at a game, watch how he manages the bullpen. The Royals are grooming him for more than just a Triple-A job; he’s a "rising star" in the managerial world.
The Storm Chasers aren't just a farm team. They’re a 50-plus-year tradition that’s currently reloading for what looks like a very competitive 2026. Whether it’s Carter Jensen’s power or Patrick Osborn’s new leadership, the vibe in Omaha is finally shifting back toward winning. Keep your eyes on the radar; there’s a storm coming.
Next Steps for Your Royals Fix
Keep a close tab on the MiLB Transactions page specifically for the Omaha Storm Chasers. With the new 2026 MLB roster rules, the "shuttle" between KC and Omaha is faster than ever. If a player is "optioned" on a Monday, they’re usually starting in Papillion by Tuesday night. Grab tickets for the weekend series at Werner Park to catch the top-tier pitching prospects before they head south for good.