TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Spring Training Report #1

Published on March 11, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SURPRISE, AZ- With Minor League camp getting underway this week, all the players that will be in a Naturals uniform this season are now in Arizona. While Minor League Spring Training games get underway next week, some of the players that will come through Northwest Arkansas have been making an impact with the Major League club.

More so this year than in the past few years Royals camp had a number of potential Naturals. David Lough, Jordan Parraz, Jarrod Dyson, Manny Pina, Ernesto Mejia, Steve Lerud, Mike Moustakas, and Derrick Robinson all saw action in the field for the Royals.

In the Royals victory over the Rockies Wednesday, Dyson hit a two RBI single while Mejia had an RBI double. Lough was clutch in a late at-bat against Oakland earlier in the week when he hit a triple that brought home a pivotal run in the ninth inning in the Royals 11-10 victory. Through yesterday's game with the Rockies, Lough has a .750 batting average so far this spring.

Pitcher Aaron Crow who many believe will start the Season with Northwest Arkansas had an impressive spring debut. Crow threw two scoreless innings that included three strike outs and one hit against the Rangers.

"I felt pretty good, it was good to get out there for the first time, my arm felt great" Crow said in an interview after the game. "I just have to have faith in myself and know that if I locate my pitches I had a good chance to get guys out. Those guys are good hitters I threw a fastball down and away and they hit it off the center field wall so it shows these guys are good."

Crow is slated to pitch again Thursday against the Dodgers.

Blake Wood has also been making a positive impact on the mound. Wood has pitched in relief in two games and has yet to give up a run or even a hit in his two innings of work.

Other potential Naturals to take the mound this spring have been Nelson Payano and Adam Bostick.

It has not been all good news from Royals camp concerning potential Naturals. Shortstop Jeff Bianchi may be out for the season if he undergoes Tommy John surgery. Pitcher Danny Duffy, who was set to be in the Naturals rotation, has been shut down with elbow stiffness, but the team does not believe it is serious.

"We're backing him off of his original prescribed program and you're not going to see him pitch in any of our games in the near future, but we'll see how he progresses," Royals manager Trey Hillman said about Duffy. "Medically he's fine but we're just taking the more cautious route."

With Minor League camp in full swing the Naturals will start minor league spring training games Thursday the 18th.

News and Notes From Spring Training...

Royals reassign seven to minor league camp:

The Royals trimmed their big league camp roster by sending seven players to minor league camp Thursday. Those who were reassigned are: Mike Moustakas, Steve Lerud, David Lough, Ernesto Mejia, Danny Duffy, Mario Lisson, and Derrick Robinson. None of the players were on the Royals 40-man roster so no options were involved in the reassignments. All of the players besides possibly Lisson are likely bets to begin the season in Northwest Arkansas.

Bianchi will give it one more go before deciding on season ending surgery:

Before having season ending elbow surgery, Naturals shortstop Jeff Bianchi will throw one last time to see if he can play despite the injury.

"I'll try to get out there and give it one last go and see if it responds in a positive way and I can play through this," Bianchi said.

Henry Barrera placed on 60-day Disabled List:

Reliever Henry Barrera, who is recovering from elbow surgery from last June, was placed on the DL to make room on the roster for Gaby Hernandez, whom the Royals claimed off of waivers. Barrera may have been bound for the Naturals had he been healthy, but Hernandez will occupy a spot in Triple-A Omaha's rotation.

Southpaw candidate Liotta hangs it up:

Left-hander Ray Liotta, who split last season between Advanced Class-A Wilmington and Triple-A Omaha, retired early this week. Selected from the Chicago White Sox in the Minor League phase of the 2007 Rule 5 Draft, the 26-year old would have been in the mix for a spot on the Naturals pitching staff. Liotta is in fact a distant relative of the actor with the same name.

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. You can purchase season tickets and group outings with the Naturals by calling (479) 927-4900.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from March 11, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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