TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Naturals Grab Four Spots in 2014 Texas League All-Star Game

Published on June 9, 2014 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


Springdale, AR - Led by Naturals starting third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert, Orlando Calixte, Whit Merrifield and Andrew Triggs also received the honor of representing Northwest Arkansas in the 78th Annual Texas League All Star Game on June 24th at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, AR.

Texas League President Tom Kayser announced the Players elected to the June 24th exhibition game between the North and South divisions that recognize the top stars in the Texas League.

The two top 20 prospects in the Kansas City Royals organization according to MLB.com, Orlando Calixte and Cheslor Cuthbert, which man the Naturals left side of the infield, will now receive the opportunity to do the same for the North Division All-Stars. Calixte, number nine in the Royals organization, earned his spot amongst the reserves, and second straight all-star appearance, after a spectacular May. Calixte made his 2014 debut on May 10 and proceeded to slash .306/.354/.528, while ripping four home runs with eight RBI and three stolen bases in May.

Cuthbert, meanwhile, has been a consistent force in the Naturals lineup throughout the first two months, with three home runs in both April and May, until recently going on a tear in June. The North Division starting third baseman is batting .423 with a home run and seven RBI through his first seven games in June.

In addition to Cuthbert and Calixte, Andrew Triggs earned the honor to represent the Naturals in the Texas League All-Star game by posting a 3-0 record with a miniscule 1.96 ERA in 21 appearances for Northwest Arkansas this season. In addition, Triggs has notched five saves for the Naturals, along with not allowing a run from April 21 to May 15, spanning 15 plus innings.

The Naturals fourth player selected, Whit Merrifield, will not participate in the 78th Texas League All-Star game after receiving his promotion to Triple-A Omaha last week. Merrifield earned the promotion, and the All-Star Game recognition by hitting .308 in May with 3 home runs 3 stolen bases and 11 RBI.

Tulsa 's Jon Gray leads the list of prospects for the North Division All-Stars. Gray ranks as the 12th best prospect (Baseball America) in all of baseball after the Rockies selected him third overall in the 2013 first-year player draft. From the South, San Antonio catcher Austin Hedges leads the pack as the 27th best prospect.

The two leaders in their respective divisions, the Tulsa Drillers and Frisco RoughRiders, each led in representation with nine players each. The North Division will be managed by Arkansas Travelers' Phillip Wellman and his staff of pitching coach Pat Rice, hitting coach Tom Tornincasa, trainer Greg Spence and strength and conditioning coach Joe Griffin. San Antonio Missions Manager Rich Dauer and his staff of pitching coach Jimmy Jones, hitting coach Francisco Morales, athletic trainer Daniel Turner, and strength and conditioning coach Eric Wood will lead the South Division All-Stars.

In total 17 players who sit in their respective organization's Top 20 Prospects lists, according to MLB.com, were chosen for the North-South Showdown. Players were selected through polling each team's managers, hitting coaches, pitching coaches, broadcasters and one media representative. A voter was not allowed to choose players from their own club. Of the players selected, Tulsa's Eddie Butler, Frisco's Rougned Odor, Arkansas' Cam Bedrosian have already been promoted to their parent Major League team this season.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from June 9, 2014


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