Naturals roster packed with prospects

SPRINGDALE — Several former Northwest Arkansas Naturals played key roles in helping the Kansas City Royals make a run to the World Series last fall.

Naturals manager Vance Wilson said fans could be looking at more of the Royals’ future at Arvest Ballpark this season.

The Naturals roster includes four of the Royals’ top six minor league prospects, led by shortstop Raul Mondesi and pitcher Brandon Finnegan, who pitched out of the bullpen for the Royals in the postseason last fall.

“Prospects like Jorge Bonifacio, Hunter Dozier, Lane Adams and Raul Mondesi, you’re talking about four guys that are going to be a big part of our future,” said Wilson at the Naturals’ Media Day news conference on Monday afternoon.

“We have upgraded defensively. We have speed on the bases, a very good pitching staff. Now we have an offense of guys who have done it with some young guys sprinkled in. I’m really excited for the season.”

The Naturals finished in last place in the Texas League North Division in both halves last season, but a mix of some new faces and old ones could be a winning combination this year, Wilson said. They open the season Thursday night at 7 in Midland, Texas. Their home opener will be a week later against the same Rock-Hounds.

Dozier, a first round draft pick in 2013, hit just .209 in 64 games with the Naturals last season, but made strides late in the season and performed well in the prestigious Arizona Fall League. That has carried over into spring training, and the third baseman is hoping it continues with the Naturals this season.

“They found my weakness, throwing me a lot of off-speed stuff and I had a tough time,” Dozier said. “But I kinda started figuring it out. The fall league was really good for me. I saw a lot of good competition and that’s going to make you a better ballplayer.”

Mondesi, a dynamic 19-year-old shortstop, is rated as the top prospect in the Royals’ organization according to Baseball America. The trio of Mondesi, Adams and Terrance Gore are all capable of stealing 40 bases, Wilson said.

Veterans such as outfielder Mike Bianucci, middle infielder Dusty Coleman and corner infielder Alex Liddi will also be assets, according to Wilson.

Bianucci hit 30 home runs in the Texas League in 2011, while Coleman helped Midland win the Texas League crown last year. Liddi has Major League experience under his belt with Seattle.

“Sprinkle in some veteran leadership, veteran bats, it really mixes it up nice for your prospects to get better,” Wilson said. “Typically that type of team should equate to more wins.”

Finnegan pitched out of the bullpen briefly for the Naturals last season on his way up to the Royals. The left-hander is back in Northwest Arkansas this season, but in a different role. This time the first-round draft pick will be a starter and help form a strong rotation for the Naturals.

Right-hander Mig uel Almonte is another starter who projects as a potential big leaguer, Wilson said. He compared Almonte favorably to Royals’ flame thrower Yordano Ventura.

“He doesn’t quite have (the) velocity of Ventura, but he pitches up to 97,” Wilson said. “But he’s a very mature kid for where he’s at.”

Wilson hasn’t even discussed the new pace of play rules to be implemented in Double-A and Triple-A, but that’s mainly because there will be no penalties for violations until May 1.

“My biggest thing is use the month of April to introduce it to them,” Wilson said. “We’ll cover it before the season starts. The focus is by April 25 we have it down.”

Naturals roster

Name Position

Lane Adams Outfielder Miguel Almonte Pitcher Mike Bianucci Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio Outfielder Dusty Coleman Infielder Malcom Culver Pitcher Anderson De La Rosa Catcher Hunter Dozer Third Base Jonathan Dziedzic Pitcher Andy Ferguson Pitcher Brandon Finnegan Pitcher Angel Franco Infielder Balbino Fuenmayor First Base Terrance Gore Outfielder Alex Liddi First Base Raul A. Mondesi Shortstop Santiago Nessy Catcher Aroni Nina Pitcher Mark Peterson Pitcher Reid Redman Pitcher Sam Selman Pitcher Glenn Sparkman Pitcher Daniel Stumpf Pitcher J.C. Sulbaran Pitcher Ali Williams Pitcher All about that pace

Minor League Baseball will implement new rules aimed at improving pace of play at the Triple-A and Double-A levels this season. A timer will be installed at Arvest Ballpark to monitor the time taken between pitches, innings and limit the amount of time allotted during pitching changes. The time allotted between innings will be two minutes, 25 seconds. The first batter of an inning is encouraged to be in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher with 20 seconds left on the inning break timer. The pitcher must begin his wind-up or begin the motion to come to the set position at any point within the last 20 seconds. If the pitcher fail to begin his wind-up or begin the motion to come to the set position in the last 20 seconds of the inning break, the batter will begin with a 1-0 count. The pitching change timer shall begin as soon as the relief pitcher crosses the warning track (or foul line for on-field bullpens) to enter the game. In the event a pitching change occurs during an inning break, the timer shall reset as soon as the relief pitcher crosses the warning track or foul line for on-field bullpens. Pitchers will be allowed 20 seconds to begin their wind-up or the motion to come to the set position. The pitcher does not necessarily have to release the ball within 20 seconds, but must begin his wind-up or begin the motion to come to the set position to comply with the 20-second rule. For the first pitch of an at-bat, the timer shall start when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the dirt circle surrounding the pitcher’s rubber, and the batter is in the dirt circle surrounding home plate. The timer will stop as soon as the pitcher begins his wind-up, or begins the motion to come to the set position. Should the pitcher fail to begin his wind-up or begin the motion to come to the set position in 20 seconds, a ball will be awarded to the count on the batter. The month of April will serve as a grace period with players receiving warnings for infractions. Rules will be enforced as written beginning May 1.

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