Six Naturals named to All-Star Team
Justin Marks and Patrick Keating will be representing the Naturals on the mound. Keating strung together one of the best pitching months of the season in May. The reliever did not allowed just one earned run in nine appearances, while striking out 15 in 11.2 innings of work. Since the promotion of Jake Odorizzi, Marks has been the Naturals most consistent starter. The left-hander has posted a 3-2 mark on the season with a 3.38 ERA, and is second on the team with 61.1 innings pitched.
The infielders representing the Naturals are Christian Colon and Johnny Whittleman. Whittleman leads the Naturals with 32 RBI, 17 doubles, and leads the Texas League with 51 walks. Colon was elected to the team as the designated hitter, but has seen time for the Naturals at both shortstop and second base this season. He is hitting .290 on the season, which leads the team.
The outfielders representing the Naturals are Yem Prades and Carlo Testa. Prades has adjusted well moving to the lead-off spot for the Naturals. The Cuban-born outfielder is hitting ..279 and ranks third on the team in runs scored with 33. Testa has come up big for the Naturals all season long providing a power bat in the lineup. He is second on the team with 20 extra-base hits, eight of which are home runs, and second on the team in RBI as well with 30.
The Texas League All-Star game will take place at ONEOK Field in Tulsa on June 28. Tickets to the event are still available by calling the Tulsa Drillers box office at (918)744-5901.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.