SPRINGDALE -- Christian Colon couldn't wait to get back to work for this season. He didn't take long to bask in the glow of helping the Kansas City Royals win the World Series.
Colon's single in Game 5 propelled the Royals to victory and the title. But the former first-round draft pick told a group of fans at Arvest Ballpark on Monday that a few of his friends gave him grief over getting right back to work not long after that final game.
But J.J. Picollo, Royals assistant general manager, had a similar refrain. He said several members of the Royals' front office were hard at work in meetings the day after a parade was held in Kansas City to celebrate the World Series victory.
Both agreed a winning attitude, combined with a strong work ethic, is a common thread throughout the Royals' organization and have had a hand in the team's success.
Colon, one of 13 former Northwest Arkansas Naturals on Kansas City's World Series roster, and Picollo were in Springdale to show off the World Series trophy and visit with fans at the ballpark.
Picollo acknowledged he spent a little time thinking about the organization's accomplishment, but tempered that excitement with thoughts of the future, too.
"You do a lot of reflecting about 'How did this happen,' but with the advent of the MLB Network you get a chance to watch it over and over again. But at the same time you realize we can't sit on this too long," Picollo said. "We've got to get ready for the next season."
A pair of top prospects, Raul Mondesi and Bubba Starling, both took strides forward last season. The 20-year-old Mondesi even made his Major League debut in the World Series last fall.
Mondesi is rated as the top prospect in the Royals' organization by Baseball America for the second consecutive year, while Starling jumped from 18th a year ago to third this year by Baseball America.Picollo said both could start the season with the Naturals, but they could also end up in Triple-A Omaha, too.
"Bubba played very well," Picollo said. "I think we were more happy with his overall approach and his outlook and understanding of his at-bats and what he's doing right and what he's doing wrong. He's matured quite a bit in that area.
"Mondesi, if there's one area that we feel like he needs work, it's pitch selection. In particular recognizing off-speed pitches. Once he gets that, the sky's the limit with him."
But Picollo said even if Mondesi begins in Double-A, he could go straight to the Major Leagues, skipping Triple-A.
"We don't have a real strong track record of guys coming from Double-A to the big leagues, but it's been established in baseball that you can do it," Picollo said. "So if he starts in Double-A and he's playing well and there's a need in the Major Leagues, he could very well be an option."
Naturals manager Vance Wilson expects his team to be solid up the middle, especially if Starling returns in center field and Mondesi at shortstop.
But infielder Ramon Torres, who spent the last half of the season with the Naturals, is one who has also garnered plenty of attention. The 23-year-old was named an all-star in the Arizona Fall League and was recently put on the 40-man roster by the Royals.
Wilson said Torres' defense is one thing that caught his eye.
"What I didn't know is how special he is defensively," Wilson said. "This is not a knock on Mondesi, but Torres is just as good as Mondesi when it comes to defense. He's a ballplayer."
But again, Picollo also said Torres could also start at Triple-A.
"There's some good internal debate right now," Picollo said. "Some say he's ready for Triple-A and some say start him back in Double-A. He's certainly put himself on the radar."
Sports on 01/19/2016