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Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Former Natural Giavotella Headed to Royals

August 5, 2011 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


KANSAS CITY, MO - Former Naturals' second baseman Johnny Giavotella will be called up from Triple-A Omaha and join the Kansas City Royals Friday, the club announced late Thursday night.

Giavotella, the 24-year old Metarie, LA resident, hit .338 in 110 games for the Storm Chasers this season, amassing a league-leading 153 hits and collecting 34 doubles, nine home runs, 72 runs batted in and 67 runs scored. The 2011 Pacific Coast League All-Star starter was one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the months of June and July, batting .391 (90-for-130) with 31 extra-base hits during the two-month stretch. He was honored as the PCL's Player of the Month for June.

Giavotella moved quickly through the Kansas City organization, spending the latter part of 2008 in Class-A Burlington, 2009 in High-A Wilmington, 2010 in Double-A Northwest Arkansas and just shy of a full season in Omaha. The New Orleans-area native was selected out of the University of New Orleans in the second round (49th overall) of the 2008 draft.

Although no official announcement has been made, Giavotella could be in Kansas City manager Ned Yost's lineup as early as Friday when the Royals host the AL Central division-leading Detroit Tigers at Kauffman Stadium.

Giavotella was a pivotal member of the Naturals' lineup last season, spending the bulk of his time as the Naturals' #2 hitter and posting a .322 average in a team high 134 games. The 2010 Texas League All-Star homered nine times, drove in 65 runs, and had a .395 on-base-percentage. His big league debut will mark the 21st former Natural to log time with a big league club following their stint with Northwest Arkansas.

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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