NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Andy Ferguson Promoted to Triple-A Omaha

August 27, 2014 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- The Kansas City Royals announced the promotion of 2014 Natural Andy Ferguson to the Triple-A Omaha StormChasers. This marks Ferguson's highest level within the organization since the Royals selected him out of Arkansas State in the 18th round of the 2011 draft. Ferguson has posted a dominant 2.60 ERA in 23 starts this season.

The home town native out of Benton, Arkansas, Ferguson (25) debuted with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals in April of 2013 after being re-assigned to Double-A out of spring training. Prior to spending the past two seasons in Springdale, Ferguson had made appearances at every level within the Royals organization, including his professional debut with the Burlington Royals in 2011. He began 2012 with short-season Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League. After posting a 2-0 record with a 1.14 ERA over four starts, he quickly earned a promotion to Low-A Kane County. Ferguson also made quick work of Kane County (now located in Lexington), as he put up a 1.93 ERA in 2 starts. He finally settled down in High-A Wilmington for the remainder of the 2012 season, and went 4-2 over 10 starts with a 2.97 ERA.

Ferguson moved back and forth between the bullpen and rotation as part of the Naturals 2013 pitching staff, and made two appearances out of the bullpen at the beginning of this season before locking up his rotation spot at the end of April. In the second half of the Texas League season, he has notched two complete games to go with a 7-4 record and 2.20 ERA. Ferguson currently ranks in the top five among Texas League starting pitchers in ERA (2.93), Wins (11), Strikeouts (118) and innings pitched (147.2).

Prior to Ferguson, the Royals placed Naturals RHP J.C. Sulbaran on the 7-Day D.L. before last night's game. They have promoted RHP Kevin Perez from Low-A Lexington to Double-A Northwest Arkansas to replace Sulbaran on the active roster. Kansas City drafted Perez, 21, in the 17th round of the 2013 draft. In his first full season of professional baseball, he has posted a 2-3 record with a 4.60 ERA in 29 relief appearances this season.

Perez will be joined by his Lexington teammate Luke Farrell on the Naturals active roster, who receives the promotion to fill Ferguson's vacant roster spot. Farrell, drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the sixth round of the 2013 draft out of Northwestern, has made 29 professional starts since joining the Royals organization in 2013.

The Naturals return home Saturday night for "Night of 1,000 Giveaways" by SeaPak as they host the Arkansas Travelers for a 3-game series to close out the 2014 regular season. Game one is set for a 6:05p.m. first pitch. The Naturals cap off the regular season on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, with a 1:05p.m. first pitch.

The Naturals continue a 4-game series at Tulsa tonight. You can catch all live play-by-play action for the game with the Voice of the Naturals Benjamin Kelly on your home for the Naturals 92.1 the Ticket for a 6:50p.m. Indigo Sky Casino Pregame Show leading up to first pitch.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, Ark. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.


• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...

Texas League Stories from August 27, 2014


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.

Other Recent Northwest Arkansas Naturals Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central