Moose Wins MILB HR Award
Published on September 10, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR - The awards and accolades keep coming for members of the 2010 Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Today, Minor League Baseball announced that it has awarded the Joe Bauman Home Run Award, given to the minor league's top home run hitter, to former Naturals third baseman Mike Moustakas.
Moustakas tied with Los Angeles Angels' prospect and former Arkansas Traveler Mark Trumbo with his 36 combined home runs for the Naturals and Triple-A Omaha. By virtue of a 124-122 advantage in runs batted in for the season, Moustakas won the first tie-breaker over Trumbo. He will receive the Joe Bauman Trophy and a check for $7,200, representing $200 for each home run hit, at Baseball's annual Winter Meetings in Orlando, FL on December 6th.
The Royals first-round pick (second overall) in 2007 combined to hit .322 (156-for-484) with 41 doubles, 124 RBI and 94 runs scored, posting a slugging percentage of .630. His RBI total was the second-most in all of minor league baseball.
The 21-year old Northridge, Calif., resident has accumulated several other honors throughout the 2010 season, including being named the Sporting News Minor League Hitter of the Year and a Baseball America 2010 first-team Minor League All-Star. He will represent Team USA at the Pan American Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico in October. Moustakas was also selected as the Royals' George Brett Minor League Hitter of the Year and the Texas League Player of the Year. Moustakas was also honored as one of five finalists for the USA Today Minor League Player of the Year.
The Royals organization also announced today that the organization has placed five prospects on the 15-player Baseball America 2010 Minor League First-Team All-Stars. Among the 30 Major League Baseball organizations, only the Tampa Bay Rays, with two players, placed more than one prospect on the team.
Royals' prospects constitute three of the five players on the infield, as 19-year-old catcher Wil Myers, 20-year-old first baseman Eric Hosmer and 21-year-old third baseman Mike Moustakas were each honored. In addition, 20-year-old left-handed starter John Lamb was named as one of the five first-team starting pitchers while 21-year-old left-handed reliever Tim Collins was the lone reliever on the first-team club.
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 tickets and group outings with the Naturals by calling (479) 927-4900.
Texas League Stories from September 10, 2010
- One Win Away From Uncharted Territory - Midland RockHounds
- Teaford, Naturals even series with Cards - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Springfield Falls to Naturals 5-2 in Game Two - Springfield Cardinals
- Moose Wins MILB HR Award - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Moustakas Wins Joe Bauman Trophy as Top HR Slugger - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Postseason Baseball Kicks off with Half Price Drinks Tonight - Midland RockHounds
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