More photos are available at arkansasonline.com/47media/ 24) and Parrish (No. 11), Alec Marsh (No. The Naturals won just 58 games a year ago and had the worst record in the Texas League. Pitchers (16): LHP Dante Biasi, LHP Holden Capps, RHP Christian Cosby, RHP Yefri Del Rosario, RHP Jonah Dipoto, RHP Zach Haake, LHP Asa Lacy, RHP Alec Marsh, LHP Drew Parrish, LHP Zack Phillips, RHP ndres Sotillet, LHP Anthony Veneziano, RHP Nathan Webb, RHP Zach Willeman, RHP Stephen Woods Jr. and LHP Angel Zerpa. The Naturals Team Store at Arvest Ballpark will now be open Monday through Friday from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. starting Monday, March 6th through the end of the season. , NWAnews.com:: Northwest Arkansas' News Source, 'Thunder Chickens' 'Natural' fit for club | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball, "MLB Announces New Minors Teams, Leagues", "Hicklen's Slam Powers Northwest Arkansas to Title", "Historical League Names to Return in 2022", Springdale Poultry Industry Historic District, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Northwest_Arkansas_Naturals&oldid=1111029482, Kansas City Royals minor league affiliates, Articles with dead external links from April 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Northwest Arkansas Naturals (2008present), This page was last edited on 18 September 2022, at 23:23. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 12 prospect in the Royals' organization by Baseball America, has earned comparisons to Kansas City's Whit Merrifield, who also plays a variety of positions. 13) and infielder Peyton Wilson (No. Hoffman allowed four hits over five innings, struck out five and walked one. By Benjamin Hill @BensBiz. Print Headline: Naturals utilize big inning, blank Sod Poodles. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. He hit safely in 32 of his 35 games, boasting a .343 . 3B CJ Alexander assigned to Kansas City Royals. Highly touted prospect Bobby Witt Jr. got a little introduction over the past month spending time in Springdale at the Kansas City Royals' alternate training site. SPRINGDALE -- Northwest Arkansas Naturals Manager Tom Shields said at Tuesday's Media Day festivities he believes his roster has strong hitters and pitchers, but he is interested to see how well the group will play defense. In 2012, he made what may have been his only promotional appearance at a Minor League game, spending an evening at the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' home of Arvest Ballpark. 21), INF Maikel Garcia (No. But Witt Jr. impressed at the alternate site last summer and was a big hit in spring training, holding his own against Major League and upper minor league pitchers, hitting .289 with three home runs in 14 games. All rights reserved. You have selected an away game. 3B CJ Alexander assigned to Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Pitcher Jonathan Bowlan will miss at least one start, Shields said. "It's nice because you build that camaraderie and they know what I want and I know what they bring to the table," Widger said. An official Opening Night roster will be finalized prior to the home opener against the Midland RockHounds (Double-A Affiliate of the Oakland As) on Thursday, April 6th. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Melendez is regarded as an outstanding defensive catcher. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. Northwest Arkansas Naturals Manager Tom Shields throws batting practice during a workout Tuesday at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale. By Benjamin Hill @BensBiz. All rights reserved. After wrapping up BP, Mr. Springer visited the Naturals clubhouse and discussed strategy with skipper Brian Poldberg. Angel Zerpa and Sebastian Rivero both played in Major League Baseball during their careers. Naturals pitchers continued to strike out the opponents at a high rate. Angel Zerpa, who pitched at three different levels in the minors and even got a start for the Royals in September, will begin with the Naturals. 20) Anthony Veneziano (No. Prior to the game, the local CW hosted a launch party but Jerry took time from taking pictures with fans to take BP on the field with the Naturals. Hard-throwing right-handers Jonathan Bowlan (No. Witt Jr. will start the season in Double-A after playing just 37 games in the Arizona Summer League in 2019. Jorge Bonifacio doubled with Peyton Wilson on base in the fifth, bringing the Naturals within two runs, but Amarillo scored twice more in the eighth to give themselves a 5-2 advantage. Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr. bats against the Texas Rangers during an alternate training site baseball game, Saturday, April 24, 2021, in Arlington, Texas. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Charlie Kaijo). October 6, 2020: 1B Nick Pratto assigned to Wilmington Blue Rocks from Royals Alternate Training Site . The Missions, entering on a three-game winning streak, jumped out . Northwest Arkansas lost two in a row to Amarillo (7-6) going into Friday. "There's a familiarity there between me and the players and our coaching staff.". Left-handed hitting second baseman Michael Massey was Kansas Citys 4th-Round selection in the 2019 Draft out of the University of Illinois, while corner infielder Jake Means was drafted in the 22nd Round of the 2019 Draft. 12), INF Michael Massey (No. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe). Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz. Dante Biasi and Walter Pennington shut down the San Antonio Missions (9-8) offense, but it was too late for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (8-10) in a 5-1 loss on Thursday night. "Between fall camp and the last few years, I've been around just about all of them," Thorman said. Jerry! Nine position players and four pitchers on the Naturals' roster were part of the lineup for Quad Cities in the championship series last season and that means something, Widger said at the Naturals' media day held Wednesday afternoon at Arvest Ballpark. Not enough, is all I can say to that query. The catching position is headlined by Sebastian Rivero, who made his Major League debut with Kansas City in May 2021 and played 17 games for the Royals in the Big Leagues last season. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals of the Texas League is currently playing the 2023 season with a record of 8 wins and 9 losses, placing them third in . Springer was a huge baseball fan -- he loved the Yankees, and for a time, had season tickets for the Florida State League's Sarasota Red Sox. And you know its a good night when you are escorted out by local authorities so a mob scene does not ensue. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Shields, 58, served as the manager of the Wilmington Blue Rocks in 2021. The Naturals have an off day on Monday before starting a six-game series against the San Antonio Missions on Tuesday with a 7:05 PM CT. Jimmy Govern hit his second homer of the season in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (7-8) 6-2 loss on Sunday to the Amarillo Sod Poodles (8-7). "I just asked him about how he goes about his business in practices as far as getting his reps on the infield and in the outfield," Loftin said. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals proudly announced on Friday, April 21, 2023 that Wil Myers,** a former standout for the Naturals in 2011 and 2012, has been inducted into the Naturals Hall of Fame. Do you wish to continue? 2), including RHP Alec. Loftin said the change isn't that big a deal since he played the outfield in high and even as a freshman in college. Remembering the talk show host's visit to Northwest Arkansas. In 2012, he made what may have been his only. 11), Alec Marsh (No. 35) and LHP Drew Parrish (No. Lacy, rated as. Veneziano was named the High-A Central Pitcher of the Year last season, while also being recognized as Quad Cities Pitcher of the Year. But Widger has something else in common with quite a few of. The Naturals roster announced on April 4 features nine of the Royals top 40 prospects according to Baseball America, including Lacy, RHP Alec Marsh (No. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. The returning list of players include 12 pitchers highlighted by right-handers Jonathan Bowlan, Yefri Del Rosario, Jonah Dipoto, Andrew Hoffmann, Will Klein, Alec Marsh, and Noah Murdock in addition to left-handers Dante Biasi, Christian Chamberlain, Walter Pennington, T.J. Sikkema, and Anthony Veneziano. Northwest Arkansas cut down a Sod Poodle runner at the plate to end the top of the fifth. First baseman/catcher Gavin Stupienski saw one at-bat last May with the Naturals after signing as a free agent but spent much of 2021 in Quad Cities. "Not a lot of Double-A experience, but a ton of talent.". Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals roster breaks down as follows: Pitchers (15): LHP Dante Biasi, RHP Jonathan Bowlan, LHP Christian Chamberlain, RHP Steven Cruz, RHP Yefri Del Rosario, RHP Jonah Dipoto, RHP Andrew Hoffmann, RHP Will Klein, RHP Alec Marsh, RHP Noah Murdock, LHP Walter Pennington, LHP T.J. Sikkema, LHP Anthony Veneziano, RHP Jacob Wallace, RHP Beck Way, Infielders (7): Robbie Glendinning, Jimmy Govern, Jeison Guzmn (S), Morgan McCullough (L), Jake Means, Dillan Shrum (L), Peyton Wilson (S), Outfielders (4): Parker Bates (L), Jorge Bonifacio, John Rave (L), Tyler Tolbert. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. 13) and infielder Peyton Wilson (No. 04/25/23. April 19, 2023. He earned a Texas League Mid-Season All-Star nod and a trip to the Futures Game during the 2011 season. None of the Naturals' pitching staff has ever spent time in Northwest Arkansas and only five of the position players have previous experience with the Naturals. is rated as the Royals' top prospect by Baseball America and comes in at No. They host Tulsa on May 11, a week later, in the home opener at Arvest Ballpark for six straight games against the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. By Benjamin Hill @BensBiz. SPRINGDALE -- There's lots of new faces on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' opening-day roster including manager Chris Widger. Jimmy Govern hit his second homer of the season in the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (7-8) 6-2 loss on Sunday to the Amarillo Sod Poodles (8-7). The outfield includes a player familiar with Arvest Ballpark in Seuly Matias, who played a key role in helping the Naturals reach the postseason in 2021 and subsequently capture the league championship. Springer . Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. April 26, 2023 They were part of the Quad Cities team that won the High-A Central championship a year ago. 11), OF Nick Loftin (No. Northwest Arkansas Naturals Roster & Staff. But the 39-year-old Canadian couldn't contain his excitement when talking about the roster, which was released on Thursday. An official Opening Night roster will be finalized prior to the home opener against the Midland RockHounds (Double-A Affiliate of the Oakland A's) on Thursday, April 6th. Tristin English responded with a blast of his own in the top of the ninth to seal a 6-2 final score, with the Naturals dropping to 7-8 on the season. Appalachian League-related trademarks and copyrights are property of the applicable Appalachian League Entities. Post-game fireworks today and Friday. (00:53), Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are the property of Minor League Baseball. 16) and first baseman Nick Pratto (No. Witt Jr,. He is the son of former MLB pitcher Bobby Witt who played for the Texas Rangers. 1B Nick Pratto assigned to Omaha Storm Chasers from Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Naturally Speaking: Wil Myers, who is currently on the Cincinnati Reds roster, became the eighth individual inducted into the Naturals Hall of Fame in a pregame ceremony. 18), Garcia (No. By Naturals PR Department April 4, 2023 SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Kansas City Royals have announced the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' preliminary roster for the 2023 season, and it features a total of 21 players (out of 28) that have played for the Naturals in previous seasons. Date. 31), INF Nathan Eaton (No. SPRINGDALE, Ark The Kansas City Royals have announced the 2022 Spring Training breaking rosters for all of their minor league affiliates and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals preliminary roster of 30 players features 22-year-old left-handed pitcher Asa Lacy, the fourth overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft and top pitching. The Official Site of Minor League Baseball web site includes features, news, rosters, statistics, schedules, teams, live game radio broadcasts, and video clips. Seven of the 15 pitchers Capps, Del Rosario, Marsh, Parrish, Sotillet, Woods Jr. and Zerpa all spent time with Northwest Arkansas last season, including Zerpa, who made his MLB Debut with the Royals in late September. 12), INF. Print Headline: Naturals new faces have winning in common. Even Scott Thorman will have to get used to the new digs as the fifth manager in Naturals' history. 28), OF Seuly Matias (No. In 134 career games in Northwest. CBA Pick # 35. SPRINGDALE -- There's lots of new faces on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' opening-day roster including manager Chris Widger. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. The Naturals open the season Tuesday night at Dickey Stephens Park where they will take on the Arkansas Travelers in a six-game road swing. He spent two brief stints in the big leagues as a player in 1992 and 1993. "It's really nice considering last year was my first year in pro ball," Loftin said. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 14), Andrew Hoffman (No. See the full 2023 schedule for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals including pasts score results, pitching results and more. Following the first pitch, Jerry took time to sign autographs and take pictures with the fans. He will play some shortstop and some third base, Thorman said. Northwest Arkansas Naturals Scores | Scoreboard Scores Tue Apr 25 Wed Apr 26 Thu Apr 27 Fri Apr 28 Sat Apr 29 Sun Apr 30 Today May 1 Tue May 2 Wed May 3 Thu May 4 Fri May 5 Sat May 6 Sun May 7. Date. 22), Massey (No. The relationships he's built in that time are a definite positive, he said. The Naturals got five runs in the bottom of the fifth to break open a scoreless game en route to a 5-0 win over Amarillo. Govern came to the plate with one out in the eighth, hammering his second home run of the series and season to make it a 5-2 game. SPRINGDALE, Ark - The Kansas City Royals have announced the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' preliminary roster for the 2023 season, and it features a total of 21 players (out of 28) that have. Location: Springdale, Arkansas. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will open the 2023 season on Thursday, April 6th at 7:05 p.m. when they will host the Midland RockHounds for Opening Night at Arvest Ballpark. All rights reserved. So that's gonna be a challenge.". Continue the weekend fun with a Bullpen Party prior to every Saturday night home game. But Widger has something else in common with quite a few of those Naturals. Second baseman Michael Massey and Nick Loftin should provide a nice 1-2 punch for the Naturals. Remembering the talk show host's visit to Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals open the season tonight with a three-game home-stand against the Midland RockHounds, the Class AA affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Springer . - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals will return home on Tuesday, May 2nd for a six-game series against the Wichita Wind Surge (Double-A Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins) at Arvest Ballpark through Sunday, May 7th. Naturals marketing and PR manager Regina Van Henkelum was kind enough to send along photos and descriptive text, so I'll hand the reins over to her (her words are italicized). He hit 18 home runs in 64 games at three different levels, including seven in 23 games at Northwest Arkansas. The Naturals return to action on Tuesday to start a six-game series against the San Antonio Missions in San Antonio. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. April 27, 2023. Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. All rights reserved. Opening Night is presented by Johnsonville and Freddys Frozen Custard & Steakburgers and features post-game fireworks. The Naturals have an off day on Monday before starting a six-game series against the San Antonio Missions on Tuesday with a 7:05 PM CT first pitch. As the Naturals left the field, Jerry wished them luck as they headed back into the clubhouse. Catchers Nathan Esposito and Freddy Fermin both have limited experience in Northwest Arkansas, along with outfielders Travis Jones and Dairon Blanco and infielder Angelo Castellano. The Naturals came back to load the bases with nobody out and took a 1-0 lead on John Rave's RBI single. 13) should fill out the middle of the batting order along with Witt Jr. Pratto was a first-round pick in 2017, but has struggled with making contact. The 2023 Naturals will also be well-represented in the prospect rankings as seven of the Royals Top 25 prospects according to Baseball America will be calling Arvest Ballpark home to begin the season. The Naturals wasted a scoring chance in the bottom of the third. That comes after the Naturals went 64-55 and tied for the second-best record in the league for the season in 2022. Northwest Arkansas Naturals Roster & Staff. An official Opening Night roster will be finalized prior to the. I'm curious to see how well we catch the ball because with our staff we're going to need to catch the ball. The phenom infielder will be joined by fellow first-round pick Nick Pratto, who has made. SPRINGDALE, Ark -The Kansas City Royals have announced the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' preliminary roster for the 2023 season, and it features a total of 21 players (out of 28) that have.