Wil Myers wins Rookie of the Year

SPRINGDALE, AR - The Baseball Writer's Association of America (BWAA) voted former Natural Wil Myers the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year. The occasion marks the first time a Naturals alumnus has won a marquee award from the BWAA.  

Myers made his Major League debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on June 18, 2013 against the Red Sox in Fenway Park. The 22 year-old played in 88 games for the AL Wild Card Winners and batted .293 with 13 homeruns, 23 doubles, and 53 RBI. He had already garnered the same award from the Sporting News and in the MLB Players Choice.

"When I was called up, [winning the award] didn't even cross my mind," Myers, the 66^th recipient of the American League honor told MLB.com "I was just very excited to be in the major leagues. As the season went on, I could see that I would have a chance to win the award and I kind of followed along a little, but to be able to win it is just a huge honor."

Myers won the award carrying 87% of the vote receiving 23 of 30 first place votes. Shortstop Jose Iglesias of the Detroit Tigers finished in second, and teammate Chris Archer, a right-handed starting pitcher, placed in third.

The Royals selected Myers in the 3^rd Round of the 2009 MLB Amateur draft out of High Point, North Carolina. With the emergence of Salvador Perez behind the plate, he was converted from a catcher to an outfielder and made his Naturals debut as a 20 year-old in 2011. A knee injury riddled his season and he returned to Northwest Arkansas the following year with a vengeance. In 35 games, Myers hit .343 with 13 homeruns and 30 RBI. He collected a hit in all but three games he played in the Texas League and batted .408 at Arvest Ballpark. He was promoted to Class-AAA Omaha on May 17^th and hit .304 with 34 homeruns and 79 RBI in 99 games. For his 2012 campaign, he was named Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America, Topps, and USA Today. As a part of a six player-deal, the Royals acquired their 2013 Pitcher of the Year James Shields in exchanged for Myers in December of 2012.

The Seventh Season of Naturals Baseball begins Thursday, April 3, 2014 in Frisco, TX. The team opens at Arvest Ballpark on Thursday April 10, 2014 against the same Frisco Rough Riders.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League Affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Naturals play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark in Springdale, AR. For more information including statistics, ticket options, and more, please visit NWANaturals.com, and follow us on Twitter @NWANaturals and Facebook.com/Naturals.