TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Spring Training Report: Former Naturals Shining in the Sun

Published on March 11, 2016 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, Ark. - The defending World Series Champion Kansas City Royals opened up Major League camp a little less than a month ago and began playing big league games on March 1. A multitude of former Naturals received Major League invites to Spring Training including nine that played at Arvest Ballpark during the 2015 Texas League Championship run.

21-year old outfielder Jorge Bonifacio has reveled in the desert appearing in nine spring training games thus far. The Dominican-born player is 4-for-13 with a pair of doubles, a home run and three RBI to go along with six runs scored. Fellow 2015 Naturals-mate, third baseman Hunter Dozier is 4-for-12 with a double of his own in six big league spring training games.

The double-play tandem of top prospect Raul Mondesi and Ramon Torres also have impressed thus far. The 20-year old Mondesi is 3-for-12 in eight games played with a double and stolen base while Torres has compiled a .273 average (3-for-11) with two RBI in seven spring contest.

Outfielder Bubba Starling carried the excitement of his 2015 season and Arizona Fall League campaign into the spring by smoking an inside-the-park home run for his first hit of the spring in the March 8 contest against the Colorado Rockies.

On the pitching side, right-hander Kyle Zimmer has made a pair of big league starts and has allowed one run on six hits in 5.0 inning of work. The La Jolla, Calif. native has fanned four batters and not allowed a walk. Right-hander Miguel Almonte has racked up a team-best seven strikeouts in 5.0 innings of work while posting a 1.80 ERA during his time in Surprise, Ariz.

Outside of Surprise, many former Naturals are attempting to make their respective new Major League club including 2015 former Natural, left-hander Daniel Stumpf. The Philadelphia Phillies selected Stumpf in the 2nd round of the Rule 5 draft this past December and the southpaw has impressed. Stumpf has fanned seven batters in three appearances in 5.0 innings of work. By rules, Stumpf must spend the entire 2016 regular season campaign on the Phillies 25-man roster or he will be sent back to Kansas City.

Outfielder Lane Adams is in Tampa, Fla. this Spring Training attempting to find a spot as a reserve outfielder for the New York Yankees. Adams, 26, was picked up off waivers this past off-season after the Royals elected to designate him for an assignment following the re-signing of Gold Glove outfielder Alex Gordon. Adams has appeared in seven games for the Yankees posting a 3-for-8 clip at the plate including a two-run double this spring.

Left-hander starter Cody Reed has made two Major League starts for his new home in Cincinnati. The big southpaw is 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA in 5.0 innings of work. Teammate Brandon Finnegan has started twice in his three appearances for the Reds this spring and has allowed just two runs over 5.2 innings of work. The former Natural left-hander is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will return to action on Thursday, April 7 of 2016 when they host the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A Affiliate of the Texas Rangers, to begin Season Nine of Naturals Baseball.

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Twitter @NWANaturals all throughout the year by using the hashtag #NaturalPastime for all of our up-to-date information on the Season Nine of Naturals Baseball, tickets, groups, promotions, roster, and Spring Training information.

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.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from March 11, 2016


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