TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Top Prospect Montgomery Joins Naturals

Published on April 29, 2010 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - The Kansas City Royals announced today that pitcher Mike Montgomery, their supplemental first-round pick from the 2008 draft, has officially been added to the Naturals roster. Montgomery is slated to make his Double-A debut on Friday night as the Naturals face the Arkansas Travelers in North Little Rock.

The 36th overall pick in the 2008 draft, the left-handed Montgomery was ranked prior to this season as the Royals' number one prospect by Baseball America and is regarded by many baseball observers as one of the 25 best prospects from across baseball.

The 20-year old Mesa, AZ resident will become the top rated prospect to suit up in a Naturals' uniform and also the youngest starter to take the mound for Northwest Arkansas. He joins the Naturals after posting a 2-0 record and 1.09 ERA in four starts for Advanced Class-A Wilmington. Montgomery allowed just 14 hits in 24 2/3 innings of work for the Blue Rocks. He fanned 33 batters and issued just four walks while holding opposing Carolina League hitters to a paltry .165 batting average.

Last season Montgomery was as Class-A Burlington's Pitcher of the Year and also was named as the Paul Splittorff Royals' Pitcher of the Year. The Naturals' roster now contains seven of the Royals' Top 30 prospects according to Baseball America, including three of the top five.

In a corresponding move, left-hander Ben Swaggerty has been placed on the seven-day disabled list with a right oblique injury. Swaggerty, the 27-year old Bristol, TN resident in his second season with the Naturals, has a 1-1 record and a 5.00 ERA in five relief appearances thus far in 2010. Swaggerty was signed as a non-drafted free agent in May 2007.

Mongtomery will wear uniform #22 for Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals' roster remains at the Texas League limit of 24 active players.

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. You can purchase season tickets and group outings with the Naturals by calling (479) 927-4900.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from April 29, 2010


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