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 roster for the seventh season of Naturals baseball, the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, was released Friday as Major League teams broke spring training camps.
2014 Northwest Arkansas Naturals Roster
Name^Position
Jason Adam^Pitcher
Lane Adams^Outfielder
Scott Alexander^Pitcher
Noel Arguelles^Pitcher
Angel Baez^Pitcher
Jorge Bonifacio^Outfielder
Greg Billo^Pitcher
Ethan Chapman^Outfielder
Malcom Culver^Pitcher
Cheslor Cuthbert^Third baseman
Yowill Espinal^Infielder
Cody Fassold^Pitcher
Andy Ferguson^Pitcher
Angel Franco^Infielder
Micah Gibbs^Catcher
Juan Gratero^Catcher/First baseman
Sugar Ray Marimon^Pitcher
Tim Melville^Pitcher
Whit Merrifield^Utility
Parker Morin^Catcher
Hassan Pena^Pitcher
Edinson Rincon^Outfielder
Jared Schlehuber^Infielder
J.C. Sulbaran^Pitcher
Mark Threlkeld^Infielder
Justin Trapp^Second baseman/Outfielder
Andrew Trigg^Pitcher
Pitcher Kyle Zimmer, the top prospect in the Royals' organization, will return to the Naturals this season, but not until around mid-May, said Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo.
Zimmer made four strong starts last year for the Naturals, before being shut down after experiencing some 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.
"We're going to shorten his season up and for that reason he'll throw his first (bull)pen in a few days," Picollo said. "He threw 109 innings last year and didn't get to that 150 mark. 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, is also ticketed to return to Northwest Arkansas, but he won't be here opening day either after being delayed to spring training because of visa issues, Picollo said.
Vance Wilson will also start his first season as the Northwest Arkansas manager, after spending the last two years as the manager at Class A-advanced Wilmington. The former major league catcher replaces Brian Poldberg, who had been the Naturals' only manager since their move from Wichita in 2008.
Right-hander Jason Adam, who went 8-11 but had a strong second half for the Naturals a year ago, will also return to the rotation and will get the opening-day start at Frisco on Thursday, Wilson said.
The Naturals will play their first home game in Arvest Ballpark on April 10, also against the RoughRiders. The team will host a free public practice on Monday starting at 5 p.m. for fans who want to get a look at the team before they open the season on the road.
Outfielders Lane Adams and Jorge Bonifacio, along with third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert and middle infielder Angel Franco should also again be regulars. 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, whose brother Emilio is a utility player with the Chicago Cubs, 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, Wilson said.
Utility player Whit Merrifield will also return to the Naturals, while Justin Trapp and Jared Schlehuber earned a move up after spending much of last year at Wilmington.
The rotation could also 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 little setback in spring training and will miss a start or two to begin the season, Wilson said. But the Vanderbilt product should be with the Naturals soon.
"Sam's going through his progression. Worst-case scenario I think is middle of April with him," Wilson said.
Sports on 03/30/2014