Familiar faces back for Naturals in 2014

SPRINGDALE - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ opening day roster will include 12 returnees from last season, but one other big name prospect won’t show up until later.

The Naturals, the Class AA affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, released their roster Friday as major-league teams broke spring training camp.

Pitcher Kyle Zimmer, the top prospect in the Royals’ organization, will return to the Naturals this season but not until around mid-May, said J.J. Picollo, the Royals’ assistant general manager.

Zimmer made four strong starts last year for the Naturals before being shut down after experiencing arm soreness. Picollo said the Royals will look to control Zimmer’s innings this year with a later start rather than shutting him down late.

Picollo said Zimmer will throw his first bullpen session in a few days.

“He threw 109 innings last year and didn’t get to that 150 mark,” Picollo said. “But if he’s pitching the way we think he’s capable, we might need him potentially in September.”

Shortstop Orlando Calixte, a Texas League All-Star last season, also is returning to Northwest Arkansas but won’t be with the team opening day after being delayed during spring training because of visa issues, Picollo said.

Right-hander Jason Adam, who went 8-11 but had a strong second half for the Naturals last season, will return to the rotation and will get the opening day start at Frisco on Thursday. The Naturals will play their first home game in Arvest Ballpark on April 10, also against the RoughRiders.

Outfielders Lane Adams and Jorge Bonifacio, along with third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert and middle infielder Angel Franco are also regulars again. Adams, Bonifacio and Cuthbert were all promoted to Northwest Arkansas in the middle of last season, while Franco spent the entire year with the Naturals.

Bonifacio is rated as the No. 4 prospect in the Royals’ minor league system by Baseball America.

Adams, Bonifacio and Cuthbert should anchor the middle of the batting order for the Naturals, said Manager Vance Wilson, who is replacing Brian Poldberg.

Utility player Whit Merrifield also will return, while Justin Trapp and Jared Schlehuber earned a move up after spending much of last year at Class A Wilmington.

The rotation also could include Tim Melville and holdover Sugar Ray Marimon in addition to Adam.

Left-hander Sam Selman, who was Wilmington’s pitcher of the year last season, had a setback in spring training and will miss a start or two to begin the season, Wilson said, but the former Vanderbilt player should be with the Naturals soon.

“Sam’s going through his progression,” Wilson said. “Worst-case scenario, I think, is middle of April with him.”

Sports, Pages 21 on 03/29/2014

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