Sparkman, Dozier Garner Year-End Advanced-A Honors From Royals

Wilmington, DE - The Kansas City Royals announced on Thursday that pitcher Glenn Sparkman and third-baseman Hunter Dozier were named the organization's Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year at the Advanced-A level. Frank Schwindel was also honored as the Player of the Year at the Low-A level. Sparkman spent the entire season with Wilmington and was named the Carolina League Pitcher of the Year. Dozier was with the Blue Rocks for the entire first half and earned a promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas after the All-Star Break. Schwindel played 16 games for the Rocks at the end of the year.

Sparkman was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 20th Round of the 2013 Draft. The Ganado, Texas, native posted an 8-3 record and a 1.56 ERA in 29 games (18 starts) with the Blue Rocks this season. He struck out 117, walked 25 and allowed 94 hits in 121 innings pitched.

The 22-year-old began the year as a long reliever for the Blue Rocks. He went 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 11 appearances out of the bullpen. His success as a reliever prompted Wilmington to try him as a starting pitcher.

Sparkman flourished after making his first career start on May 21. He went 6-2 with a 1.39 ERA in 18 starts for the Rocks. He fanned 90 and issued just 18 free passes after transitioning to the rotation. Sparkman also kept opponents' hits to a minimum as a starter - only 75 in 97.1 innings pitched.

Dozier, who resides in Denton, Texas, was selected eighth overall by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2013 Draft. In his 66 games with the Blue Rocks this season, Dozier batted .295 with 18 doubles, four homers and 39 RBIs.

The 6-foot-4 slugger improved each month during his time in Wilmington. He hit .235 in 23 April games, .304 in 29 May contests, and .373 in 14 games during the month of June before his callup to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.

Schwindel, who finished the season in Wilmington, was named the Royals' Minor League Player of the Year at Low-A Lexington. With the Legends, he hit .286, belted 20 home runs and drove in 70. Those numbers earned him a 16-game stint with the Blue Rocks in August and September. During those 16 contests, he hit .241 with two homers and five RBIs.

Sparkman, Dozier, Schwindel and the Royals' other honorees from each Minor League level will be honored on September 19 at Kauffman Stadium during Futures Night.

Blue Rocks Baseball = AffordaFUNability!
www.bluerocks.com