Orlando, Several Others Re-Sign
Published on October 28, 2011 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO - The Kansas City Royals formally announced Thursday that they have re-signed several current and former Naturals to 2012 minor league contracts. Among them are current Naturals Paulo Orlando, Mario Santiago , Edgar Osuna, and Andrew Dobies as well as former Naturals Irving Falu and Cody Clark. John Whittleman, who may see time with the Naturals in 2012 after spending 2011 with Advanced Class-A Wilmington, was also inked to a 2012 contract.
Orlando, the dynamic 26-year old from Sao Paulo, Brazil, spent time with both Triple-A Omaha and Northwest Arkansas this past season, batting a combined .268 with 15 doubles, 12 triples, five homers, 51 RBI's, and 54 runs scored. Ten of his triples came in an impressive 45 game stint in Double-A during which he batted .305 with 24 RBI's. Orlando was acquired from the Chicago White Sox organization in August 2008 in a trade for Horacio Ramirez.
Santiago, like Orlando, split the season between Omaha and the Naturals, posting a combined 8-4 record and pitching to a 3.70 ERA, although he was a stellar 5-1 with a 2.23 ERA for the Naturals in 16 appearances, including seven starts. The 26-year old right-hander was the Royals' 16th round selection in the 2005 draft.
The 23-year old Osuna posted a 6-4 record but struggled to a 7.89 ERA in 14 appearances for the Naturals, including 11 starts. The southpaw made his final appearance of the season on July 3rd and finished his season rehabbing shoulder injuries in Arizona. A native of Mazatlan, Mexico, Osuna was the Royals' Rule 5 selection in December 2009.
Dobies was signed by the Royals on July 22nd of this past season out of the independent Atlantic League, where he was pitching with the Somerset (NJ) Patriots. The 28-year old veteran southpaw, who had been drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and spent several seasons in their system, struggled mightily in his first three outings but pitched better down the stretch in August, finishing with a 5.89 ERA in 12 appearances but a 12-6 K/BB ratio in 18 1/3 innings pitched.
Falu, a 28-year old infielder from Hato Rey, Puerto Rico and a member of the 2008 Naturals, batted .301 with 10 doubles, nine triples, two home runs, 47 RBI's, 50 runs, and 21 stolen bases in 111 games for the Pacific Coast League Champion Storm Chasers. The versatile switch-hitter, drafted by the Royals in the 21st round in 2003, played second, third, short, and right field for Omaha.
Clark, a 30-year old resident of Conway, AR and a member of the Naturals in 2008 and 2009, played in 51 regular season games for Omaha, batting .233 with 12 doubles, four homers, and 13 RBIs.
Whittleman, acquired just prior to the 2011 season from the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, batted .234 with 20 homers and 68 RBI's for Advanced Class-A Wilmington, ranking tied for third in the Carolina League in homers and seventh in RBI's. The 24-year old has prior Texas League experience with the Frisco RoughRiders.
Also Baseball America announced on Friday that former Naturals infielder Chris McConnell re-signed with the Washington Nationals organization. McConnell was with the Nationals' organization in 2011, splitting his season between Triple-A Syracuse and Double-A Harrisburg, where he was a teammate of Bryce Harper, baseball's top prospect.
All of the players were minor league free agents and free to sign with any team.
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.
Texas League Stories from October 28, 2011
- Orlando, Several Others Re-Sign - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
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