Former Naturals slugger Kila Kaaihue was named by the Kansas City Royals as their 2008 Player of the Year, the Royals announced Friday. Starting pitcher Dan Cortes was named as the Naturals' 2008 Pitcher of the Year.
Kaaihue, the 24-year old Hawaiian native, was promoted on July 29th to Triple-A Omaha after hitting .314 with the Naturals with 26 homeruns and 79 RBI in 91 games. The Texas League's Player of the Year, Kaaihue still remains tied (with Arkansas' Corey Smith) for the Texas League lead in homers and remains ranked in the top 10 in several other offensive categories. He currently is batting .327 with ten homers and 19 RBI in 29 games for Triple-A Omaha.
Cortes, the 21-year old Pomona, CA resident is 9-4 with a 3.98 ERA in 22 starts for the Naturals and was also recently named to the Texas League Post-Season All Star team. Originally acquired from the White Sox on July 24, 2006, Cortes currently leads the team in strikeouts with 106 in 110 2/3 innings of work and is 7-1 in his last 11 starts anchoring the Naturals staff.
Reliever Devon Lowery, who began the season in the Naturals' bullpen, was named as Triple-A Omaha's 2008 Pitcher of the Year. The 25-year old right-hander has been a stalwart in the O-Royals' bullpen this season, recording a 1-1 record with five saves and a 1.88 ERA in 30 appearances. A former starter, the Royals 14th round selection from the 2001 draft has held opponents to a .214 batting average. He began the season with Northwest Arkansas and posted a 0.69 ERA in nine outings before his promotion.
These three players, along with the 13 other award winners from the Kansas City Royals' minor league system are expected to be at Kauffman Stadium for Royals' Futures' Night on Friday, Sept. 19, where they will take part in a Q&A and autograph session at Gate A as well as be honored in an on-field presentation prior to the Royals game against the Chicago White Sox.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website also offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.
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