Jimmy Paredes Hits for the Cycle

Omaha Storm Chasers third baseman Jimmy Paredes hit for the cycle against the New Orleans Zephyrs in a 19-1 blowout at Werner Park in Omaha Monday night.

He did so in rather a rather unconventional fashion, going 0-for-2 in his first two at-bats, but then he picked up four straight hits, starting with a grand slam home run in the fourth inning (see the video below). He tripled in the sixth inning, doubled in the seventh and singled in the eighth.

The Storm Chasers needed to bring six men to the plate in the eighth inning for the cycle to even be a possibility. And once it looked like it was going to happen, his teammates began talking to him about picking up the single in his final at-bat.

"They told me, ‘If you hit a double or if you hit it in the gap, stay at first base, no matter what,'" he said, laughing.

He didn't have to worry about it though because when he singled to left field, Christian Colon was on base in front of him and he didn't advance past second. After rounding first, Paredes, 25, shot his arms in the air in celebration, which you can see in the video below.

"It's a good moment, yeah?" Paredes said.

It was the first cycle at Werner Park since it opened in 2011.

"The first one?" he said. "History. That's good."

Lorenzo Cain was the last Omaha player to hit for the cycle. He did so at Colorado Springs on May 14, 2011. Scott Thorman is the last Omaha player to do so at home, but that was at Rosenblatt Stadium (on August 29, 2010, against Iowa).

Paredes ended the night 4-for-6 with 8 RBIs. He had been stuck on 4 RBIs since April 9, but he did spend 17 days (April 18-May 5) with the Royals in which he saw very limited action. He admits to thinking about his RBI-less streak once he returned to Omaha.

"I have been thinking, ‘What do I have to do for RBI number five?' but I just told myself I would get it soon."

When Cain was activated from the DL, Paredes was sent back to Omaha, where he says he just wants to do his job - part of which was to produce at the plate. He is Omaha manager Brian Poldberg's primary number three hitter at this point with Johnny Giavotella getting the call to the big leagues.

Paredes spent time in the majors in three separate seasons with the Houston Astros from 2011-13. He versatile defensively (he can play second base, shortstop or third base) which may put him in the position to earn another shot with the Royals at some point this season. For now, the Royals want him logging games in the minors at third base.

You can hear the entire interview with him by clicking here.