OMAHA, Neb. (BVM) — With just over a month left of the season, the Omaha Storm Chasers are first in the Triple-A-East Midwest division. The Toledo Mud Hens and the St.Paul Saints are right on their heels, with the Mud Hens a half-game back and the Saints 1 1/2 games back from first. The Stormchasers have stayed at the top of the division for most of the season but will need these players to step up to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.

Kansas City Royals star prospect Bobby Witt Jr. has hit the ball well ever since he was promoted to Omaha in late July. Currently, he’s hitting.284 with eight home runs in only 102 at-bats. His OPS is sitting at a .942 and his slugging percentage sits at .588. 

The question regarding Witt is when or if the Royals call up their top prospect with Kansas City sitting last in the AL Central at 49-67. Until then, Witt will be a huge part of the Storm Chasers’ offense as the push for the postseason continues. 

The sluggers on the active Storm Chasers roster, center fielder Edward Olivares and Ryan McBroom will also play a big role in the postseason push. McBroom leads the team with 22 home runs and RBIs with 65, playing sparingly with the Royals this season. 

Olivares’ .317 batting average is the best on the team and his 13 home runs are among the team leaders. Like McBroom, Oliveras has spent time with the Royals this season, hitting four home runs in 57 at-bats with Kansas City. As long as they are both in Omaha, the Storm Chasers will need them to power their offense.

The Storm Chasers need to improve on their pitching if they want to keep their first-place spot over the next month. Their team ERA is currently at an ugly 5.08, the 472 runs allowed are the second-most in the division behind the Columbus Clippers. Their offense is helping make up for their pitching, with their 478 runs scored the third-most among the 20 teams in Triple-A-East.  

Omaha has put itself in a great position to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years. With the possibility of Witt being promoted to the big leagues getting more likely every day and players like Oliveras getting another chance in September, the time to make a run is now.