Royals Re-Sign Aldridge, Richardson
Published on October 10, 2008 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
Naturals OF/DH Cory Aldridge and 1B/3B Juan Richardson have been resigned by the Kansas City Royals to minor league contracts for the 2009 season, according to Baseball America.
Both players will report in early March to the Royals' minor league spring camp in Surprise, AZ and are likely to be assigned to either Northwest Arkansas or Triple-A Omaha. The veterans were on one-year contracts in 2008 and were slated to become six-year free agents on October 15th. Minor league players become free agents after six seasons in professional baseball with their original drafting or signing major league club, and then subsequently can become free agents at the termination of every contract, similar to major league players.
Aldridge, the 29-year old San Angelo, TX resident, joined the Naturals in early July after the Royals purchased his contract from the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League. The veteran hit .269 in 49 games for the Naturals with 10 homers and 40 RBI. Aldridge made his largest contributions in the month of August following the departure to Triple-A Omaha of slugger Kila Kaaihue. Aldridge took over Kaaihue's spot in the middle of the lineup and hit .284 with seven homers and 24 RBI, providing both the power and the leadership that sent the Naturals to a playoff berth in their first season. Aldridge was on his second tour of AA duty in the Royals' farm, having spent the 2005 season with the Wichita Wranglers.
Richardson, the 29-year old Dominican resident, provided steady production in the Naturals' lineup all season, leading the club with 82 RBI to go along with his 16 home runs and .296 batting average. The three-year Texas League veteran started at both first and third base for the Naturals in 2008.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and will open the home portion of their 2009 season on Thursday, April 16th against the San Antonio Missions. For season ticket packages and group information for the 2009 season, please call (479) 927-4900 or visit nwanaturals.com.
Texas League Stories from October 10, 2008
- Royals Re-Sign Aldridge, Richardson - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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