TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Royals ink OF/1B Romak, INF Prasch

Published on January 21, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO - The Kansas City Royals have signed outfielder-first baseman Jamie Romak and infielder Eddie Prasch to minor league contracts for the 2010 season, according to Baseball America.

Romak, a 24-year old from London, Ontario, comes to the Royals organization after spending the past three seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. He split his 2009 season between the Altoona Curve, the Pirates' Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League, and the Lynchburg Hillcats, the Pirates' Advanced Class-A affiliate, batting .191 with eight homers and 38 RBI in 106 games between the two stops. He had a much better season in 2008, when he hit 25 homers and had 80 RBI between the same two clubs.

A right-handed hitter who plays both corner outfield spots as well as first base, Romak was originally a fourth-round selection of the Atlanta Braves in the 2003 draft and came to the Pirates in the January 2006 trade that brought first baseman Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh and sent reliever Mike Gonzalez to the Braves. Prior to the 2009 season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the 11th best prospect in the Pirates organization. He owns a career .235 batting average with 81 homers and 299 RBI in 530 minor league games.

Prasch, a 24-year old infielder from Chesterfield, MO, also spent his 2009 season with Altoona and Lynchburg, posting a .190 average and 19 RBI in 55 games as he battled through injuries. A third-round selection of the Pirates in the 2004 draft out of high school, Prasch owns a .241 average with 16 homers and 190 RBI in 453 career minor league games. The left-handed hitting Prasch has appeared mostly at third base defensively, but also played second base and right field during his time in the Pirates' farm system.

Prasch attained free agency after being granted his release following the season, while Romak was a minor league free agent not re-signed by Pittsburgh. Both players will report to Surprise, AZ in early March to compete for a roster spot with the Naturals or with Advanced Class-A Wilmington, the Royals' Carolina League affiliate.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The 2010 season begins on Thursday, April 8th. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from January 21, 2010


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