SPRINGDALE — There could be quite a few familiar faces for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals’ 12th season in Arvest Ballpark, but there’s going to be a few new ones, too, starting with manager Darryl Kennedy.
The 49-year-old veteran minor league manager answered questions and visited with fans on Monday afternoon at the Naturals’ annual Hot Stove Luncheon at the Apollo on Emma.
The Naturals, the Double-A affiliate of the Kansas Royals, open the season in 73 days when they take on Springfield on April 4. Fans got an early taste of baseball visiting with Kennedy, J.J. Picollo, Royals assistant general manager in charge of player personnel and even Royals owner David Glass at Monday’s gathering.
“It’s pretty safe to say that I’ve had al these guys that will probably be on the roster,” said Kennedy, who has been managing in the Kansas City Royals’ organization since 2007. “It’s a benefit of being with the organization for more than 10 years. I’m excited about getting the season going.”
Kennedy said there could be a few players who were with him at Class A advanced Wilmington last season that earn the promotion to Double-A along with him, like pitcher Gerson Garabito and infielder D.J. Burt, who were two that he said enjoyed good seasons in the Carolina League a year ago.
Burt was a utility player, who played around the infield and even some in the outfield last season, Kennedy said. Burt hit .280 with 32 stolen bases and blossomed after spending a second season in Wilmington.
Garabito finished 8-8, but led the Carolina League with a 3.16 ERA and went 6-0 with a 1.70 ERA over his last 10 appearances spanning 58.1 innings.
Kennedy compared Burt to Jecksson Flores, who enjoyed a breakout season in Northwest Arkansas a year ago. Flores played a variety of positions and led the Texas League with a .314 batting average and stole 27 bases.
“Gerson is one of those pitchers who is very quiet,” Kennedy said. “Before you know it, he’s in the seven inning and you don’t even realize it. Very mild-manner, doesn’t get very emotional out there and just competes.”
Picollo, the Kansas City Royals assistant general manager in charge of player personnel, said Kennedy’s experience in baseball and with the Royals are big positives.
“He’s a good leader,” Picollo said. “He’s always had a great baseball mind. He’s got a really good instinct of what’s development and when’s the time to win. A big part of it is trying to win at this level. It’s the building blocks of what we want to do in Kansas City.”
Picollo said Burt and Garabito are players who were talked about for promotion to Northwest Arkansas last year.
“D.J. is having a great winter in Australia right now,” Picollo said. “From the speed standpoint, he knows how to use his speed. Stolen bases are a part of his game.”