Naturals Spotlight - 2014 Natural Christian Binford
February 26, 2015 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, Ark. -- Selected out of high school (Mercersburg Academy, Pennsylvania) in the 30th round of the 2011 MLB June Amateur Draft, Christian Binford reached the highest level in the Kansas City Royals farm system last season, making four appearances for the Triple-A National Champion Omaha StormChasers. In addition, the 22-year old hurler pitched at three levels in the Royals organization during 2014 including eight starts with the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. He enters 2015 ranked eight among Kansas City Royals Prospects.
Prior to the 2011 draft, Binford signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Virginia, but instead, elected to sign with the Royals and made his professional debut with the Burlington Royals in 2012.
After dominating for High-A Wilmington to begin his 2014 campaign, to the tune of a 2.40 ERA in 14 starts with 92 strikeouts in 82.2 innings pitched, Binford made quick work of Double-A as well. His 3-2 record with a 3.19 ERA through eight starts for the Naturals earned him a promotion to Omaha in mid-August.
Despite struggling during his first stint in the bullpen for Omaha, Binford ended on a high note by striking out four and allowing just one earned run in four innings of work to close out the regular season. After which, he made it clear the struggles at Triple-A were a thing of the past.
During Omaha's Triple-A National Championship run in 2014, Binford allowed only one earned run, despite making an appearance in all three rounds of the postseason. He picked up a save in the first round with four shutout innings against Memphis, the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate, and then proceeded to throw a scoreless 1.2 innings against Reno, the Triple-A Affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in the Pacific Coast League Championship round. Binford made his first start at Triple-A in the National Championship Game against the Pawtucket Red Sox, Triple-A Affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, in which Omaha won 4-2.
Despite having already undergone Tommy John Surgery in 2009 as a sophomore in high school, Binford continues to jump up the Royals' prospect rankings, after MLB.com ranked him 11th entering the 2014 season. He has had success at every level throughout his young career thanks in large part to his ability to throw strikes and produce a high ground ball rate. Binford issued only 22 walks in 140.2 innings last season, and has allowed three or fewer runs in 47 of his 53 career minor league starts.
Binford gained National notoriety during a shutout inning with one strikeout at the 2014 All-Star Futures Game from Target Field in Minnesota last season, in which he was the only representative from the Kansas City Royals.
For all the latest Spring Training updates and player spotlights, follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @nwanaturals throughout the year, and use #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on tickets, groups, promotions, roster, and team information.
Season 8 of Naturals baseball begins on Thursday, April 9, 2015 in Midland, Texas. The Naturals will open at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday, April 16 at 6:05 P.M. against the same Midland RockHounds, the Double-A Affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.
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.
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