About naturals

Follow the Northwest Arkansas Naturals as they prepare for their inaugural season in 2008. The excitement around Minor League Baseball starts right on the field, where the stars of tomorrow suit up today. The new Texas League Franchise in Northwest Arkansas will be affiliated with the Kansas City Royals. The Texas League is level Double-A, which is widely regarded as the most prospect laden level of Minor League Baseball. Each Major League team has an organization which develops players for the purpose of creating a winning Major League Organization. Governed by the Professional Baseball Agreement, each Major League team is responsible for utilizing a Minor League System to meet their developmental needs. The Kansas City Royals Minor League Organization is below: AAA - Omaha (NE) Royals AA - Coming to Springdale, Arkansas in 2008 High A, or A-Advanced - Wilmington (DE) Blue Rocks Low A, or Class A - Burlington (IA) Bees Short Season A - Idaho Falls Chukars Short Season Rookie - Burlington (NC) Royals Current and Former Royals have all spent time at the Double-A Level, most notably Johnny Damon (1995), Mike Sweeney (1997), Angel Berroa (2001), David DeJesus (2003), Zack Greinke (2003 and 2006), Mike MacDougall (2002 and 2004), Ambiorix Burgos (2005), Jimmy Gobble (2003), Runelvys Hernandez (2002), and Shane Costa (2005). The 2006 Royals Double-A Franchise in Wichita, KS, ended the season with no less than eight First Round Draft Choices, led by 2006 1st Overall Pick Luke Hochevar, and the Minor League Player of the year, 2005 2nd Overall Pick Alex Gordon.