Former Natural Crow named as AL All-Star
Published on July 3, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR - Former Naturals' right-hander Aaron Crow became the first player in the short history of the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' franchise to be named as a Major League All-Star.
Crow will represent the Kansas City Royals at the Midsummer Classic, on tap for Tuesday, July 12th at Arizona's Chase Field in Phoenix. The game will be nationally televised on Fox.
The 24-year old rookie, who started opening day for the Naturals last season and led the team in innings pitched for most of the season before struggling in early summer and receiving a demotion to Advanced Class-A Wilimington. This season he is 2-1 with a 1.36 ERA through 33 games, earning selection by AL manager Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers.
"I couldn't believe it at first," Crow told the Kansas City Star today. "It's something that everyone dreams about having the opportunity to do. But only a few lucky people get the opportunity."
The Royals' first round selection in the 2009 draft, Crow was 6-6 with a 5.66 ERA for the Naturals through mid-July last season, his first and only season in the minors, at which point he was sent to the Blue Rocks. He began this season in spring training with the Royals, where for a second season he dazzled and won one of the final spots in the Royals' bullpen, where he's been a revelation.
He currently sits third amongst American League relievers in ERA, has allowed opposing hitters to a paltry .125 (5-for-40) batting average with runners in scoring position, and has allowed a hit to the first batter he's faced in an outing on just four occasions. Yet, interestingly enough, he becomes the All-Star selection with the fewest innings pitched in the past 17 seasons.
Naturals fans have the opportunity to send a second player that has suited up for the Naturals - outfielder Alex Gordon - who made a rehab appearance in Northwest Arkansas in July 2009, to the All-Star Game as well. Gordon is among a handful of players eligible for fan selection for the final American League roster spot. You can vote for that online at kcroyals.com.
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. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.
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