Falu Signs With Royals, Returns To Omaha

Utility player ranks second in Omaha franchise history with 631 hits

By Andrew Green

June 5, 2016

The Kansas City Royals announced Sunday that they have signed longtime Storm Chasers infielder Irving Falu to a minor league contract and assigned him to Omaha's roster.

Falu, an Omaha fan favorite, has played in a total of 578 games with Omaha over parts of six seasons, compiling a .283 average (631-2232), adding 309 runs, 84 doubles, 29 triples, 14 homers and 214 RBI, along with 89 steals. Falu's career totals with Omaha rank among the most in all-time franchise history, including second in hits and triples. He is currently 32 hits away from breaking Jed Hansen's all-time franchise record for hits with Omaha. The 32-year-old also ranks third in games played, at bats and runs scored, as well as fourth in stolen bases.

He has played for several of the most memorable teams in club history. He won two Pacific Coast League Championships with the Storm Chasers in 2011 and 2013, in addition to the 2013 Triple-A National Championship Game. Omaha has also appeared in the postseason in three of his six years with the franchise.

He was selected by the Royals in the 21st round of the 2003 MLB Draft out of Indian Hills Community Collge in Iowa. He made his Triple-A debut with Omaha on August 30, 2004 as part of a quick three-game stint before returning to the club for the 2009-13 seasons. He went on to make his Major League debut with Kansas City on May 6, 2012 against the New York Yankees, slamming a triple in his very first Big League at bat. In 47 career Major League contests with the Royals, Milwaukee Brewers (2014) and San Diego Padres (2014), Falu has compiled a .277 mark (33-119) with 14 runs, six doubles, one triple and eight RBI.

The Storm Chasers continue their four-game homestand versus the Nashville Sounds on Sunday afternoon. First pitch for the second game of the series is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. at Werner Park.

Tickets for all remaining Storm Chasers games are still available and can be purchased online at www.omahastormchasers.com/tickets, or by calling the Werner Park Ticket Office at (402) 738-5100.